Top Common Mistakes Students Make When Studying

Typical student learning mistakes

According to the trends of the future education, the main task of modern schools, colleges and universities is not just to transfer knowledge, but to teach how to learn. Therefore, educational institutions are launching elements of adaptive learning, using various pedagogical methods, including Agile and Scrum methodologies.

But it is one thing to teach, and another thing to gain knowledge and skills. So, what are these learning mistakes that students are so fond of making? And how can they prevent effective learning, as well as become a serious obstacle to success in the future?

Picture 1 of Top Common Mistakes Students Make When Studying

Mistake #1: Do not ask questions

While learning new material, something may remain unclear. Often students hesitate to ask questions because they are afraid of looking silly. And there may not be enough time or opportunity to fill in the gap on their own.

Such a habit threatens to cause great problems in learning. After all, information is not assimilated, and therefore reading and learning new material, which relies on previous knowledge, goes with difficulty.

How to fix it

Do not be afraid to ask your teacher questions. Even if the question seems naive, the teacher will appreciate your interest and desire to understand. Believe us, there is simply no better way to fix the situation.

Mistake #2: Do not ask for help

Another typical learning mistake is not asking the teacher for help. The amount of material you didn't understand increases, the time left before the test or exams is less and less, and you can't catch up on your own.

How to fix it

It's good that you believe in yourself and try to cope with difficulties on your own. But sometimes even the most brilliant students need competent help. Teachers know pedagogical methods and techniques that can help improve the learning process and fill all the gaps in knowledge.

Mistake #3: Do everything at the last minute

The most common mistake students make is to think that there is plenty of time before tests and exams, and to procrastinate. And in the last days, attempt to learn everything at once. Such behavior is dangerous not only because the knowledge will not stay with you for a long time, but also because you get used to always do everything at the last moment. And this can be a serious obstacle to career development. After all, success requires regularity, the ability to plan your time, and the ability to immerse yourself in tasks.

The funny thing is that in 1997 Case Western Reserve University researchers conducted a study that showed that procrastination rates among students increase for three reasons: high levels of stress, health problems, and low grades in subjects.

How to fix it

Try to negotiate with yourself. For example, make a rule to work on notes and do homework for only an hour, but every day. This will allow you to become more focused, not give your psyche a nervous strain at the end of the semester, and deepen your knowledge every day. Another option is research paper help online, which will solve your assignment in short time.

Mistake #4: To cram instead of understanding

When there is little time left to prepare for tests or exams, students often make a common mistake: they cram instead of trying to understand the material. If that helps you get a passing grade for your final exams, you won't have any of that knowledge in a week.

How to fix it

When you read a textbook or prepare for a test, always try to understand and spell out the point, not just memorize it. Such a habit develops the ability to highlight important information and retain your knowledge for many years to come.

Mistake #5: Not to take notes from lectures

The role of mechanical memory is talked about much and often. However, despite this, some students refuse to take notes and prefer to memorize by ear. Let's not argue, sometimes there are geniuses in society. Others have to reread a lot of textbooks before exams and ask their classmates for notes.

How to fix it

If it is not interesting to simply write down after the teacher, find your method of taking notes. This will not only strengthen your memory capabilities through mechanical movements but will also help develop imagination, spatial thinking, creativity, and other soft skills, which are so needed in IT companies.

Mistake #6: Not use knowledge in practice

Only when we put knowledge into practice then it becomes a skill. You can read as many books on physics and programming as you like but never develop a single application. The same happens with the humanities.

Until you prepare a creative project about the development of Impressionism in fiction, you won't know what's behind the words.

How to fix

Realize how important it is to write essays, do term and dissertation papers, and take apart cases and do collaborative projects. This will not only allow you to put knowledge into practice but also to learn how to successfully collaborate with others.

Mistake #7: To learn everything

It might seem that the more knowledge the better. But that's not quite true. Regular subscriptions to e-courses, studying modern art trends, free marketing seminars, and basic Chinese are all just taking up valuable time if they don't lead to a specific goal.

How to fix it

Answer the question, "Why do I need this?" If in the future you plan to become a diplomat who solves problems at the international level, it is worth sitting down and write out on a piece of paper the skills you need to acquire. And then choose courses and additional classes, if you have enough time and energy. This will develop the habit of concentrating on what is important and achieving goals efficiently.

Samuel Daniel

Update 17 April 2021