Video:Learn ESL: Advanced Tips for Studying Effectively

Transcript:Learn ESL: Advanced Tips for Studying Effectively

Hello, I'm V. Victoria Shroff in Vancouver, B.C., for About.com. In this video, you'll receive tips for how to study effectively.

Studying begins in class. You need to be alert, well rested and paying attention to the teacher at all times. Take good notes while you are in class. These notes can be written out again and will help your studying tremendously.

Tips for Reading and Writing

Find a topic that you are interested in and begin reading. If the topic is of interest, you will find that you can study and read for longer. Try to get a book that is just slightly more difficult than you normally read and it will also help you with expanding your vocabulary, learning new grammar styles and, of course, the bonus is that you will be learning more about a topic that interests you.

For both reading and writing, have a dictionary handy at all times. Make a list of new words and their meanings. Your vocabulary will grow and your writing will improve over time once you learn how to utilize the new words.

Before you set out to write ask yourself "what is the purpose of this writing?  What am I trying to convey?" Keep your thoughts clear by having a point by point outline before you begin writing.  

Understanding what you read and then writing about it is a good way to study a new topic. Read back your own writing or notes as part of your studying routine.

Create a Good Studying Environment

Why does your environment really matter? Your environment sets the stage for clear and effective studying. Have a nice quiet place where you can study. Have adequate lighting. Have water and healthy snacks at hand. Have no outside distractions. Turn off your music. Turn your electronics off unless you are working on your computer or tablet.

Don't try to study in crowded areas or with chatty friends. A discussion with other students from your class about the topic you are reviewing can be very helpful, but be careful not to get distracted.

Effective Study Routine

Create a study routine. This will make your studying much more effective. After class, take a break and recharge your energy, have a meal, do some exercise for about an hour. Then, whether you are studying at home, or in the library, or in a coffee shop, make sure that you have a good environment with a quiet corner free from distractions where you can think and concentrate on the topic at hand.

You may want to re-write or re-type your notes from class. This will help you to understand what the lesson was about. Read the notes over again.

Read and write for 1-2 hours and then take a 10-15 minute break.  You should try to study for several hours per day. By taking short breaks, it makes it possible to stay focused. Plan to study 6 days a week.  Take one full day off if possible to do something completely different from studying to keep yourself fresh and attentive.

Highlighting and Condensing

A highlighter can be a very effective way of underlining important information. Be careful, however, not to overdo it. Only highlight key points. Condense your highlighted information by writing out the main points on flash cards.

Final Points to Remember About Effective Studying

If you are paying attention and taking good notes in class and keeping up with the assignments and readings, then your work to study for an exam is already half done.

If you are unclear about the readings or what was said in class, speak to your teacher. Your teacher may speak with you there and then or ask you to come to his/her office during office hours. 

Thank you for watching. For more information, go to About.com.