Studying theoretical subjects can be a bit of a challenge, since it will involve understanding of complex concepts, facts, and history. But developing the right skills and approach can help simplify and make studying theory subjects easy.
In this article, I will be going over how to study theory subjects effectively.
Tips on how to study theory subjects effectively
1. Study with fresh mind
When it comes to studying theory subjects, we are frequently asked when is the best time to do so. I will say that there is no best time to study a theory subject. But it is always best to study when your mind is fresh. The mind is most calm in the morning for most people. We don’t mean 5 a.m. or earlier when we say morning. You can begin whenever you wake up; it could be as early as 7 or 8 a.m.18.
2. Ask yourself questions after reading
Take a theory subject you’d like to study, read it for sometime, it may be 30 minutes or 1 hour, whatever time you may choose as long as you are not distracted. And when you are done you can ask yourself what you remember from your last hour of reading. It will take longer to remember at first, but as you practice, it will become easier. So don’t be concerned, and keep trying. No effort is wasted; each attempt to remember strengthens your brain with each passing second.
3. Create your note when studying
Though reading a class note is beneficial, it will be more beneficial when you can create your own short notes, maybe from your class notes and other important resources that are relevant to the subject you are studying. Doing this will help you pass your test and examination well. You can use colored pencils, highlighters, stick-ons, and small catchy terms coined by you or the teacher to help you remember the subject. While reading, underline essential ideas, and write more points from your teacher on the stick-ons, which you should stick near the concept you’ve added. These highlighted points and stick-ons are useful for last-minute subject revision.
4. Make a list of key points in your own words
Create the habit of writing down key important concepts in your own words. This practice is necessary because what we do in the exam is write and communicate things in our own language. This exercise can help you write more effectively in examinations. It’s also necessary for effective brain-hand synchronization while you write. Since, our brains work far faster than our hands, we frequently skip words or sentences while writing. This is something you might have noticed while rereading your own responses. I’m sure a lot of people have gone through this at some point during their student years.
5. Take a quiz
Taking quizzes is a smart study method for memorization of theory subjects. It is one way you can keep yourself entertained and educated at the same time. After you’ve learnt and comprehended a topic, ask any of your friends or family members to quiz you on it. The better and faster you respond, the better you will remember it. Or you can go online, and check quiz websites like Proprofs.
6. Review past years questions
This is a must-have requirement. Analyzing previous year’s exam questions allows you to discover the kind of problems and approaches required to solve them. It also informs you about the word limit and marks assigned to each question, so you may prepare accordingly. Also reviewing past questions helps guide you on what you should study and what you should not study.
7. Practice like you are writing exams
Test your knowledge whenever you reach a milestone in a theory subject, such as when you finish a chapter or study a tough topic. How will you put your knowledge to the test? As if you’re sitting in an exam center, practice. Take a few questions from the textbook, Study Material, and other sources and practice them as much as you can. This method allows you to determine how well you comprehend a certain topic or chapter. Assess whether your degree of preparation will allow you to achieve good results in theory.
8. Practical real-life examples
It is critical to connect theory subjects with real-life examples in order to gain a complete understanding of the subject. Because theory subjects are intended to capture the theoretical aspects of practical subjects, there is little to no risk of not receiving a practical example. The job of a good instructor is crucial here. A good instructor will give you real life examples of how the theory subject you are studying relates to life.
You can also help yourself by connecting theory subjects to real-life instances and circumstances, making the concepts more intriguing and memorable. For a better comprehension of the principles.
9. Read to forget
Though this might not work for everybody, it is what I use sometimes which has worked for me. If you have enough time to prepare for exams, you can read to forget. What I mean here is to read without giving much thought about if you will remember it in exams or reading for reading’s sake. When you do this, you will be concentrating on gaining information, simulating pattern in your brain. It might be surprising that even though you did not give much thought about it, if you come across a question relating to what you study, you will be able to remember it and answer it.
10. Read everything
Though this is somewhat related to point 9. When you read, read everything. You won’t understand the chapter and won’t be able to write good responses unless you read the entire text by yourself. Reading the entire book assists you in instantly visualizing the general ideas and process it more effectively, so that when you are asked a question on the theory subject you studied, your brain will quickly recall you, “oh! This is something I’ve read. This was mentioned in so and so chapter. Furthermore, reading the content gives you the assurance that you have not overlooked anything
11. Use bullet point
Making notes for theory subjects is crucial, but the key is to keep them short. The majority of students end up penning paragraphs in their notebooks, which will never aid in revision. Your notes should primarily consist of brief bullet points.
Prepare some short notes, charts, or keywords from the material and write them down in one spot when studying. You can make a copy of your study materials while leaving the back side blank. That vacant space can be used afterwards to jot down crucial topics while studying. Using bullet points will help you in remembering better, and you’re much more likely to revise them once more
12. Motivate yourself by rewarding yourself
You will frequently become bored while studying theory. Your mind is likely to wander off and might refuse to focus on the theory subject because it is less interesting. You can reward yourself to motivate and push yourself to concentrate .For example, after finishing a chapter, you opt to watch a live football match. Your mind will be motivated to finish the chapter so that you can watch the game while studying. You can motivate yourself by rewarding yourself with something fascinating like eating chocolate.
13. Practice reading aloud
Read aloud everything you’re studying. In theory, this strategy is effective since it makes use of various senses in our bodies. When we read in our heads, for example, only our visual senses are engaged. However, reading theory aloud engages both our visual and auditory senses, and we are also speaking at the same time. So, the next time you study, give this strategy a shot.