Studying at Home 101
So I actually didn't plan to write this for a couple of months when I was closer to mocks and the all-important 'cramming sessions'. However, like many offices, schools and families, I am socially distancing myself. That requires a whole blog post of its own but this is a fun space and we have more interesting things to talk about! So in this blog post, I'm going to go through some revision tips, how I study from home, how to stay productive and more. So, grab a cup of tea, your work for the day and come and study with me!
So I actually didn't plan to write this for a couple of months when I was closer to mocks and the all-important 'cramming sessions'. However, like many offices, schools and families, I am socially distancing myself. That requires a whole blog post of its own but this is a fun space and we have more interesting things to talk about! So in this blog post, I'm going to go through some revision tips, how I study from home, how to stay productive and more. So, grab a cup of tea, your work for the day and come and study with me!
To begin, here are my top 10 tips for studying home:
1. Plan out your day: You'll be surprised how quickly time will fly when you don't have a plan. Usually, teachers have an outline for the whole term of what you'll be learning so you need to do the same. The night before or at the beginning of the week, make a list of what subjects you're going to do and how long you're going to do it for. Try and keep to your usually school timetable so it feels like a normal day.
2. Stay hydrated: This should be pretty standard anyway but drink more water! This will stop you from getting headaches and keep you healthy. I have a large jug and a 500ml water bottle constantly full so I don't have to keep running up and down the stairs for a drink.
3. A goodnight's sleep: Again, this is another standard one that you should be doing anyway. There's no need to go to bed late if all your work is done in the day. Going to bed earlier means you're going to be fresh in the morning and it'll be easier to get up.
4. Don't sleep in: When working from home, it's easy to treat it like a holiday. Having just a small lie in is going to make you less productive and more lethargic. Keep your usual alarm on. Yes perhaps you won't be in such a rush to get up and ready, but keeping to your usual morning routine will help you feel ready to start your day.
5. Treat it like a normal day: How does your normal day go? Think about what you would be doing each hour at school. A typical school day is 6 hours long so what lessons would you have each day during these 6 hours? Set alarms on your phone to mimic a school bell thus reminding you to switch to your next subject. If there has been work set for you, try and complete as much as you can but don't carry on if you're meant to be 'changing classes'. Otherwise, you'll end up neglecting a subject. Plan your day based off of the actual lessons you would have.
6. Take breaks: I think it's also hard for some of us to take a break. When you're working from home, sometimes there's a guilt surrounding taking a break because you do feel less productive. However, remember at school you would usually have a 15-minute break and an hour for lunch. Use the breaks to talk to friends or watch some youtube. Without these breaks, you're going to get extremely tired, bored and you're going to hate working.
7. Don't get distracted: This is a hard one as when you're at home you have your phone, tv and other distractions. Plus there's no one to tell you to stop getting distracted or to discipline you. Put your phone down and turn it off or there are loads of apps where you win prizes for leaving your phone. Try and stick to your schedule and treat it like a usual day where you wouldn't have your phone. Do not Disturb is your friend so utilise it!
8. Don't study in silence: This sort of contradicts my previous point but don't study in silence. I understand there are lots of studies around revising in silence makes you more productive, but I disagree. In a classroom, there's, lots of noise and I think you'll get bored quickly doing it completely in silence. I like to listen to a study playlist (something that's not too harsh sounding, more relaxing) or a podcast or youtube video about productivity to really get me in the mood. Or, if you have friends doing the same work as you, try video calling. This way you can ask each other for help and it will mimic being in the classroom with them.
9. Extra revision time: Treat this time off as extended study-leave instead of a holiday. Somedays you might not have any work set or it might be down to you to fill this time. Don't get lazy! This is your time to be more independent and really benefit for this free time. Write up some flashcards or create some revision posters. If there are other people om your family working from home, get them to test you. Many people won't be as productive as you so use this time to get ahead. Even just organising your notes is going to help you stay organised.
10. Exercise: Finally, it's easy when working from home to forget to exercise especially when not going to the gym is recommended. It's even worse when the kitchen is only just downstairs with all the goodies in it! But exercising it a great way to give your mind a break and also stay healthy. Try and have a set time you exercise whether that be the first thing in the morning, in the afternoon 'after school' or in the evening. When did you usually exercise? Do an 'at home' exercise video (there are loads on youtube!) or go for a run outside if the weather is nice.
How to Revise:
I mentioned above the idea of using this time for extra revision and I thought I would explain. how to effectively revise and use this time.
Firstly, how do you revise? This was one of the hardest things to work out even when you've been doing it for the last few years. To help, I've broken down ways to revise into 3 easy sections depending on what kind of learner you are.
Visual Learner: Do you learn best from posters, reading from textbooks, colour co-ordinated notes? Then you are a visual learner. You can remember and learn things just by looking at them! I am a bit of a visual learner so I have lots of methods to help you revise. I really like creating posters and summary sheets and sticking them all around my room. By colour coordinating and highlighting key facts, you'll be able to create a clear image of it in your mind. Also, as you are consolidating your notes onto these posters, you'll find and remember new pieces of information you might've forgotten. Although it's not quite as effective, just reading through a revision guide or textbook will jog your memory and highlighting definitions would be even better!
Auditory Learner: Do you easily remember song lyrics, enjoy creating little limericks in your head? Then you are an auditory learner (and extremely rare). Not many people are auditory learners but it can still be extremely effective. Little pneumonics will help remember long lists or putting information to music will be extremely catchy and will be stuck in your head. If you can bear listening to your own voice, record yourself listing key facts or asking questions to listen to a bit like a podcast. The cringier and funnier the better as it will stick in your head!
Active Learner: Do you like doing things, getting out from behind a desk or testing yourself? Then you are an active learner. Once again, I am a bit of an active learner so I have some tips that I know are effective. Maybe the most boring thing you can do is test yourself. However, it is really effective. You can find loads of past papers online to do. The better you know the format of the exams, the better you'll do. In fact, you'll find that the style of questions are just repeated each year and the papers are fairly similar. You can also use flashcards to test yourself or get someone else to test you. The more you quiz yourself, the better you'll get at it. Can you recreate anything you've seen in the classroom? Like redoing science practicals or maybe you could act out a section from a piece of literature. Get other members of your family involved because the better they understand it, the more help they can give you.
How to Revise:
I mentioned above the idea of using this time for extra revision and I thought I would explain. how to effectively revise and use this time.
Firstly, how do you revise? This was one of the hardest things to work out even when you've been doing it for the last few years. To help, I've broken down ways to revise into 3 easy sections depending on what kind of learner you are.
Visual Learner: Do you learn best from posters, reading from textbooks, colour co-ordinated notes? Then you are a visual learner. You can remember and learn things just by looking at them! I am a bit of a visual learner so I have lots of methods to help you revise. I really like creating posters and summary sheets and sticking them all around my room. By colour coordinating and highlighting key facts, you'll be able to create a clear image of it in your mind. Also, as you are consolidating your notes onto these posters, you'll find and remember new pieces of information you might've forgotten. Although it's not quite as effective, just reading through a revision guide or textbook will jog your memory and highlighting definitions would be even better!
Auditory Learner: Do you easily remember song lyrics, enjoy creating little limericks in your head? Then you are an auditory learner (and extremely rare). Not many people are auditory learners but it can still be extremely effective. Little pneumonics will help remember long lists or putting information to music will be extremely catchy and will be stuck in your head. If you can bear listening to your own voice, record yourself listing key facts or asking questions to listen to a bit like a podcast. The cringier and funnier the better as it will stick in your head!
Active Learner: Do you like doing things, getting out from behind a desk or testing yourself? Then you are an active learner. Once again, I am a bit of an active learner so I have some tips that I know are effective. Maybe the most boring thing you can do is test yourself. However, it is really effective. You can find loads of past papers online to do. The better you know the format of the exams, the better you'll do. In fact, you'll find that the style of questions are just repeated each year and the papers are fairly similar. You can also use flashcards to test yourself or get someone else to test you. The more you quiz yourself, the better you'll get at it. Can you recreate anything you've seen in the classroom? Like redoing science practicals or maybe you could act out a section from a piece of literature. Get other members of your family involved because the better they understand it, the more help they can give you.
What else could I do?
I thought I would also list a few extra activities you could be doing. If you find yourself stuck for something to do or want to push yourself a bit harder, here are some things to do that are more beneficial than just watching Netflix.
I thought I would also list a few extra activities you could be doing. If you find yourself stuck for something to do or want to push yourself a bit harder, here are some things to do that are more beneficial than just watching Netflix.
- Start your personal statement
- Research university courses
- Research apprenticeships
- Free online courses surrounding your subjects
- Learn a new language
- Start a blog!
- Exam papers
- Watch some TED talks
- Do some reading around your subjects or listen to an educational podcast
- Tidy your room (we all hate it but keeping your space organised will increase productivity)
So to conclude, stay safe; that's your priority. However, have a little think about the guide above and see if you can add a couple of these things to your new routine. Stay productive and focused. Push yourself as this is the time students will fly or fall. You need to be independent now so use this time wisely and at least try and get some positive results out of this 'free time'.
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