10 Steps to Achieve Successful Studying
As annual exams approach in many
countries—whether at the primary, middle, and secondary school levels or in
university education—students often feel some anxiety and tension. This
requires taking serious steps to regain focus and organize time.
The matter is not about the number of study
hours, but about mastering effective learning methods and developing the
knowledge and skills that help the student not only to pass final exams, but to
refine their abilities, enrich their understanding, and acquire knowledge more
efficiently.
Education and teaching experts say that
students must prepare for exams at least two months in advance—not just a few
days before.
These lines present a summary of what
should be done regarding effective methods that can be adopted during study and
review in order to achieve the highest grades:
First: Renew your intention for Allah Almighty,
and reflect on the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace
be upon him): “The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on
every Muslim.” (Malik and Ibn Majah). And his (peace
be upon him) saying: “If anyone travels on a road in
search of knowledge God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of
paradise, the angels will lower their wings from good pleasure with one who
seeks knowledge, and the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and the fish
in the depth of the water will ask forgiveness for him. The superiority of the
learned man over the devout man is like that of the moon on the night when it
is full over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the prophets
who leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who accepts
it accepts an abundant portion.” (Ahmad)
Second: Determine your
priorities before studying. Make a list beginning with the most important, then
what comes next. You should start with the subjects that require significant
effort—not the easy ones—because postponing the difficult material is a mistake
many students fall into, leading them later to complain about difficulty or
lack of understanding.
Third: Create a study
schedule, organize your time, and set your goals for each day, week, and month.
Give each subject its proper share, focusing on quality rather than quantity,
while designating a specific number of daily study hours.
Fourth: Write down key points
and the main outlines of each subject so you are aware of the structure of the
curriculum and its main themes—whether from the school textbook, external
references, or educational platforms.
Fifth: Choose a good place to
study and prepare a suitable environment in terms of lighting, ventilation,
cleanliness, and organization. These details may seem small, but they greatly
affect productivity and results. Also, avoid distractions such as phones, television,
and social media.
Sixth: Simulate the exam and
conduct practice tests to get used to the format of each subject's exam,
identify your weaknesses, and train yourself to work under time pressure.
Seventh: Exercise for about half an hour
daily—through walking, stretching, or a recreational activity—to boost energy,
improve mood, activate circulation, and reduce laziness. According to a recent
medical study from the University of Illinois, exercising for 20–30 minutes
before an exam improves student concentration.
Eighth: Get sufficient sleep
and adequate rest. Avoid staying up late, as fatigue and lack of sleep reduce
focus and readiness.
Ninth: Eat healthy food,
consume plenty of vegetables and natural juices, and avoid pastries, soft
drinks, and stimulants.
Tenth: Turn to Allah in
supplication, asking Him for success, and make dhikr and istighfar part of your
routine. This brings goodness and opens the heart. Let your motto be: “And my success is not but through Allah” — (Hud 11:88).
Read Also:
-
5 Ways to Assist your Child with Their Studying
-------------------------------------------------------------
