Studying alone at home is a challenge for most people. The biggest problems reported revolve around procrastination, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation. However, those who want to achieve a more successful personal and professional life need to learn how to optimize their studies.

The first step is to leave behind that habit of rote memorization whose sole purpose is to pass the subject. In this way, it doesn't matter if the intention is to get into university or... learn English, The mindset should be one of studying, with the purpose of evolving, truly learning, and becoming a better person.

To help you with this process, we've prepared this text with several important tips, with the help of Marcelo Dias and Aline Barbosa, professors at ESEG.

The challenges of studying at home

Many students don't know how to focus on studying At home. Those who live with several family members often find it even more difficult. For example, they have to deal with interruptions and noise. Self-control is also necessary, especially to avoid distracting activities like using a cell phone.

Professor Marcelo Dias, from ESEG, emphasizes that "establishing family agreements is the necessary path to peaceful study sessions. Everyone's collaboration is important, and this is part of a good relationship.".

He also considers it important to strictly adhere to a study schedule. "For students who were in school and are now at home (due to quarantine), the ideal is to stick to their study schedule and set aside time for assignments and additional questions.".

Professor Dr. Aline Barbosa, from ESEG college, agrees on the importance of routine: “Studying is like a coal-fired boiler. It takes time to heat up, and once heated, it should be used. After it cools down, it will take the same amount of time again to heat up. It's the same with studying. When the student gets into a rhythm, they should continue.”.

Regarding noise, she points out that earplugs or headphones with classical music usually help. And if someone is into studying late at night, they can also use that to their advantage.

The 5 most common study methods

Study methods e organization apps These are useful for this moment and can be combined according to individual needs. We have separated the main ones.

1. Pomodoro

The technique Pomodoro It is a time management tool that helps students fulfill their study obligations through small, established goals. It is usually effective and motivating. However, Professor Marcelo Dias points out that, depending on the complexity of the subject, it will require some adaptations.

For tech enthusiasts, there are several apps that utilize the Pomodoro Technique and can be used on mobile phones or desktops.

2. Mind maps

Mind maps aid in memorization and mental visualization of certain content, contributing to better retention. Professor Dr. Aline Barbosa agrees that it is an interesting technique because it forces the student to understand and relate what has been studied. It is also an excellent way to consult resources for revisions.

Just like the previous method, it's also possible to use apps, which can be found in all the virtual stores of the operating systems.

3. Interleaved study

Interleaved study consists of alternating different subjects on the same day, instead of studying only one. This stimulates the brain, keeping it active and attentive. "It's a way to relieve the mind, as it helps to shift focus away from the previous subject," comments Professor Dr. Aline Barbosa.

4. Summary

Note-taking is one of the best techniques for optimizing study. It's a kind of very concise summary, with a few words, phrases, and the main ideas of a given subject. It's done on small index cards, and the student can use colors and symbols to make the structure easier to understand.

Professor Marcelo Dias agrees that it's a great technique, but emphasizes the need to avoid making it too mechanical, so as not to lose the functionality of the strategy.

5. Elaborative interrogation

This method forces the mind to reason more deeply about a given subject. Through questions like "why? how?", the student is encouraged to think more actively. According to Professor Marcelo Dias, "the highest point is to explore each topic further and achieve a more refined understanding.".

What could be best for me?

Often, a student's personality influences their study methods and the efficiency achieved with each approach. Having good self-awareness tends to be very helpful in this regard. There are several ways to gain this awareness, and psychological testing is one of them.

Professor Dr. Aline Barbosa is a proponent of these methods and cites one of the most famous scales, the Myers-Briggs Test (MTBI), which classifies personality by looking at eight factors.

She explains that "extroverted individuals are more outgoing and sociable. Consequently, they find studying at home more difficult. Introverts, on the other hand, may prefer this format due to the greater privacy it offers.".

Sensory learners are practical and prefer order and routine. Therefore, they tend to find things easier, since they have more control in that situation. Intuitive learners are more creative and have a broader view of situations. They can adapt to new study formats without much difficulty.

Rational people use logic to deal with problems and make decisions objectively. They can organize themselves well with studying at home, if that is the best alternative. Emotional people, on the other hand, tend to make decisions based on personal values and feelings. Therefore, they may encounter difficulties and feel a lack of prior context.

"Judging types like to be in control and want a structured and organized world. Therefore, studying 'when and how they want' will appeal to them. Perceptive types are flexible and spontaneous. They like the home environment, but may feel uncomfortable with the flexibility of that format.".

Therefore, our advice is to adapt your studies to your individual needs. For example, if you are more extroverted, you will find it more advantageous to study with the help of video conferencing, since it allows you to get together with several friends. If you are more emotional, you can use other indirect techniques, such as meditation and online psychotherapy, to better deal with subjective factors that may be hindering you.

Other tips on how to optimize your studies.

In addition to everything we've already discussed here, Professor Dr. Aline Barbosa emphasizes that it's also important to consider the time each person needs to absorb the material, as the dynamics of studying alone are different from attending classes at school or university. Therefore, the recommendation is to be realistic and dedicate sufficient time to studying.

Another tip for success is to reflect on the reasons and future gains of needing to engage in this. Asking yourself, "Why am I doing this?" or "Where will my dedication take me?" tends to facilitate the process. Remember that managing your own time and fulfilling your obligations are some of the... characteristics of an entrepreneur, being essential in any chosen profession.

As you've seen, there are several methods and tips for optimizing your studies. There are no set rules for this choice. Therefore, the ideal is to assess your individual needs and preferences. Testing, adapting, and combining each of the techniques mentioned will make the process even more optimized.

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