7. Use explanatory questioning and simple analogies: Whenever you are struggling with a concept, think to yourself, How can I explain this so that a ten-year-old could understand it? Using an analogy really helps, like saying that the flow of electricity is like the flow of water. Don’t just think your explanation—say it out loud or put it in writing. The additional effort of speaking and writing allows you to more deeply encode (that is, convert into neural memory structures) what you are learning, use also metaphor and analogy to make hard concepts easier.

8. Focus: Turn off all interrupting beeps and alarms on your phone and computer, and then turn on a timer for twenty-five minutes. Focus intently for those twenty-five minutes and try to work as diligently as you can. After the timer goes off, give yourself a small, fun reward. A few of these sessions in a day can really move your studies forward. Try to set up times and places where studying not glancing at your computer or phone—is just something you naturally do.

9. Eat your frogs first: Do the hardest thing earliest in the day, when you are fresh.

10. Make a mental contrast: Imagine where you’ve come from and contrast that with the dream of where your studies will take you. Post a picture or words in your work-space to remind you of your dream. Look at that when you find your motivation lagging. This work will pay off both for you and those you love.

	Created by Abdou Mohamed over 6 years ago

English Slide Set on How to Study Smart, created by Abdou Mohamed on 08/23/2017.

How to Study Smart