Study method: what are they? Which is the most effective?

Establishing a study method is an excellent idea for those who want to be successful in tests and entrance exams.

This is because, when you bet on a method, you bring greater seriousness to the situation, in addition to adding organization to your studies.

But we cannot fail to consider that there are an infinite number of options, so how do we know which is the best method to follow?

The answer depends on knowledge of existing methods, especially their particularities, and that is exactly what we will see today!

That said, if you want to improve your studies and improve your test results, just keep reading!

Why use a study method?

When we talk about study methods, we have two groups: those who already know them and think they are essential, and those who think they are unnecessary and have never used them.

But, after all, what is a study method? Why should you use this strategy?

A study method consists of a set of strategies that aim to improve the study routine, with a focus on improving results.

You've certainly been in a situation where you needed to study and ended up lost, jumping from books to video classes on YouTube, from YouTube to notebooks, from notebooks to books... which ends in an endless cycle.

The result? You end up wasting a lot of time, assimilating very little of each content you saw, and you end your study routine with a feeling of failure.

And do you know why this happens? Simple: because you haven't organized yourself using a method that allows you to have direction and thus make the most of your dedicated time.

So, when we talk about the reasons for using a study method, we are referring precisely to:

• Improved concentration;
• Improving your skills;
• Better use of time;
• Organized distribution of resource use (videos, books, notes, etc.);
• Focus on content that really matters;
• Possibility to evaluate performance and results.

With this, it is easy to understand that the study method is essential for those who seek better results, without wearing themselves out so much!

Official Study Method Options 

At this point you already understand why it is important to invest in a good study method if you want to succeed in your tests without wasting time.

But, we can't talk about study methods without understanding how it works in general.

This is because it is common for many people to suggest that you read books, watch films and series and even bet on schemes.

But can these practices really be considered study methods? Or do we have broader concepts about the subject?

The answer is the second option, and we will now see what the general study methods are that make use of these resources.

Active

The first study method we will discuss is the active method, where the student is not a mere spectator, and acts in his/her learning.

In this method, notes, creation of texts and articles, reading and even field studies, where the concept is observed in practice, are quite common.

As a result, the student ends up being much more active in their learning process, which makes everything more dynamic.

Passive 

The other study method is passive, where the student has attention and focus as a priority, since they learn through observing content.

In this case, learning depends on a class presented by another person, whether in person or online.

With this, the student learns through listening, observation and notes that allow the content to be remembered.

Useful resources for study method

As we can see, there are two general study methods, which are responsible for determining the resources used for learning.

This is because, if you prefer the passive method, for example, there is no point in investing in creating content for learning.

And the opposite is also true, since there is no point in investing in video classes if you cannot learn effectively just by observing, and you soon become bored.

Therefore, first of all, it is important that you understand your student profile, which will help you create a truly efficient method.

But, to help you with this, we will look at some resources below that can add a lot to your study method!

By use of tokens 

Using flashcards is an ideal study method resource for those who are not fans of long texts and time-consuming classes.

This is because the cards transform long content into a very brief summary, with only the most important points.

This method helps with memorization, and is great for those who have to read a text a thousand times and end up not remembering much of it.

To make the cards, simply take the content, highlight the most important items and record them.

Thus, through the main points you will be able to remember the general content, which optimizes time and helps with memorization.

Resolution of issues 

Solving questions is a very efficient study method for those who like to evaluate their own performance while studying.

Furthermore, it ends up being a practical means, since the study serves precisely to answer the questions, therefore, you already get used to the situation.

To do this, take a list of exercises related to your study topic, answer them, and at the end check your level of accuracy.

This way, you will be able to review the content, while also receiving feedback on your progress.

Classes and summaries 

The lessons and summaries basically have the same purpose as the cards, but are better suited to those who like more complete readings.

This is because, while you watch the class, you can absorb the content, and when you summarize, you can remember and record what you learned.

And, best of all, after you make the summary, you can simply reread it whenever you want to study, as the content is already simplified and focused on what really matters.

By experiences 

The last resource we will indicate today is through gaining experiences that contribute to learning.

If you are studying Brazilian history, for example, going to a museum with that theme can help you obtain more information.

On the other hand, if you are studying gastronomy, betting on themed fairs or different restaurants can add content to your studies.

So, whatever the topic, there is always some experience that can contribute to your more dynamic and relaxed learning.

This is a very interesting idea for those who enjoy the active study method, since you are the one responsible for acquiring enriching experiences!

What is the best study method?

After everything we've seen, you've certainly come up with a lot of ideas for creating your study method, based on your preferences and profile.

But, one last question may arise, which is in relation to the comparison, after all, which method is better?

And, as we can see, there is no such answer, since everything depends on the person themselves.

This is because there are those who learn very well using the passive method, while others do better with active learning.

Just like that, even within a method, there are those who will learn very well through films and series, while others end up losing focus.

Therefore, it is important that you create a personalized study method, considering what fits your profile and preferences.

And, it doesn't have to be something rigid: did you try something today and it didn't work? That's okay, just try another resource and move on!

This way, it will be much more fun and practical to set up a study routine that really makes sense and brings results!

Enjoy and read it too 👉 5 benefits of reading for your brain and academic life!

Roberta

I am a member of the O Administrador team and I produce content about career, personal finance, financial education, productivity, and professional development. My goal is to share clear and practical information to help readers with their day-to-day decisions.

July 17, 2023