Looking for a way to bolster your SIE study habits to ensure that you pass the SIE Exam? A complaint that I frequently hear from my students is that they can’t focus. Although, I know it can be hard to find the time, there are simple solutions to this problem.
In today’s post, I try to solve this recurring mystery for my students.
SIE Study Habits: Like Clockwork
One reason why many people have such a hard time focusing while they are studying is because they often feel the pull of many other things on their to-do list on their mind. When it comes to good SIE study habits, block out a specific time every day (or every other day). If you can, try to set the same time of day (preferably in the morning) in your schedule. Working it into your schedule will make it a habit after only a few instances. Once it’s on your calendar, and becomes a habit, you can focus your entire attention on your studies. It becomes something to check off your list. Getting through it, you will feel a little more accomplished for the day. Importantly, avoid checking emails, text messages, or social media during this time. Dedicate it solely to studying. Do it in bite-size increments to ensure that you can stay focused. Trying to study for 3 or 4 hours will guarantee a wandering mind.
Crisp vs Crisped
Next, plenty of evidence suggests that our minds are sharper in the morning than later in the day. I have a friend that once told me in the mornings his mind is crisp, and by the evening it is crisped. Keep this in mind for studying. Early in the morning your mind will be sharp and absorb more. A good SIE study habit for your SIE exam prep would be to spend time studying in the morning if you can. Don’t wait until the evening when you have a whole day’s worth of worries and work on your mind.
Eat!
Don’t study hungry. As silly as this may sound, it’s real advice. There are famous studies by the famous duo Kahneman and Tversky that show that we have a much harder time processing information when our glucose levels get low. As a SIE Exam tutor for hundreds of students, I’ve seen a lot and it’s obvious when a student has a hard time concentrating. You will start to rush through information, or put less effort into each practice question. There is a reason why the word “hangry” became a thing. We lose patience when we are hungry. This most certainly translates into your ability to study and digest information. In short, ingest food before you try to digest SIE information.
Good luck with the process! Always contact us if you have any questions 🙂 We’re here to help!