How I Study Effectively

First things first: I study in many different ways! Everybody has there ways that effective for them. This is how I study the gospel. I'm not perfect. A lot of this post is my ideal, not an everyday reality.

Time of the day 

I have my best scripture study around 2-4 a.m. Sounds crazy, but I'm up during that time feeding my baby. It is so worth it for me to stay up for an extra ten minutes and read a few verses and ponder it for a minute. It is easier for me to be still and focus completely on what I am doing. I realize (maybe just hoping) that my baby is going to sleep through the night soon and won't need eat at 2:39 a.m.
When that day happens, I plan on waking up before her and doing my study then. I'm thinking this new time will float around 6 a.m.

Now don't get me wrong. There are just some early mornings that extra ten minutes isn't going to happen; being a mother is exhausting at times. If I don't have an early morning session, I will listen to a conference talk or even the scriptures as I am getting ready for the day. Some days I read early and listen later. Nap time/ bedtime gives me some leeway too, but I would rather do house work while my baby is sleeping.  Alex and I also do a gospel study with each other either before he goes to work or before we go to bed. we always have a better study if we do it at the beginning of the day.

What do I study?

I like to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish. But I don't read the Book of Mormon every day. Before I read, I take a moment to feel what I should read (aka listen to my heart). Sometimes I am guided to read about a topic, other times I feel like I should read a conference talk from October 2000. Typically when I study a topic, I stick with it for a little while. I have been wanting to get into the bible more too. I feel like I had a good understanding of it when I was a teenager, but I've lost the knowledge I gained. I want it back! I love that we have so many resources at our finger tips! Check out the Gospel Library app! It is amazing! 

How do I study?

I say a prayer. God knows what I need daily. He knows the thoughts of my mind and the feelings of my heart. He doesn't always tell me what to study, but when I pray for his spirit to be with me, I feel peace every time while I read even if I do not learn something new. 

I like to have a pen and pencil near so that I can write down thoughts that come to my mind and heart. When I was in seminary I took it one step further. I would write down what the scripture meant even if I did not have a personal insight or inspiration come with it. I really loved studying that way and I want to get back into it. I had a good understanding of the scriptures when I studied my scriptures as though I was going to have a test on it the next day. 

When I study by topic, I like to color code so I can see in my notes connections and patterns easily. I don't really mark my scriptures, but I underline my notes. I don't want my brand new scriptures to look like my black, white, and red seminary scriptures haha. However, if I feel it is important, then I might underline here and there. 

When I was in college, my time was as precious as platinum. I would actually set a timer and read for ten minutes then write what I learned for ten minutes. This worked well for me. 

I share what I read with Alex. When I repeat what I learn, I remember it better. I think about it all day so I can remember to tell him. Or so that my memory is jogged from my super early study. 

How do you study? What is effective for you?