Here at Ultimate Vocabulary we’ve been encouraging you to exercise your brain this week, and we’ve been talking about different workouts you might do when studying new vocabulary, whether it’s looking at context, identifying word roots, learning synonyms and antonyms, and identifying the differences between homophones and homonyms. We hope this has helped you set up a daily routine of vocabulary exercise. Whether you’re maintaining a healthy vocabulary with a bit of vocabulary study every day, or whether you’re in training for an important test like the GRE or SAT, the Ultimate Vocabulary program is designed to give you the support and the tools that you need.

Jogging Your Memory

It’s been proven that the more ways you study a word, the better able you’re able to remember it. When you’re learning a new word, using two or more of these study practices will increase your ability to recall and correctly use a vocabulary word:

• read the word out loud
• create sample sentences using the word
• find words with similar meanings

One great way to get your mind moving is to use Ultimate Vocabulary’s Word Messenger function, which will send you pop-up messages with vocabulary words you’re studying, so that you can review them throughout the day. Create your own “pop-up” messages by posting notes around the house – on the mirror, the refrigerator door, the television – with words you want to focus on. These randomly-timed vocabulary exercises will keep your mind flexible.

Track Your Progress

The Ultimate Vocabulary program also allows you to track your progress by providing you with charts of your test scores and keeping track of the words that you’ve already learned. It’s important to remember that even slow progress is still forward movement, getting you closer to your goal. Recognizing and congratulating yourself on your improving vocabulary will keep you focused and positive.

Study Times: Sprints or Marathons?

As we mentioned above, even little one-minute “flash card” study sessions are useful. You might want to set aside a specific time each day (10-15 minutes) to focus on your vocabulary study – once you get into a routine, you’ll find it easier to continue. However, if you have an important test date coming up, think about planning a day or two of concentrated vocabulary study, particularly if you can study with friends. You and your friends can practice using words in conversation, quiz each other on words and meanings, and help each other find ways to remember particularly tricky words.

Be sure to take frequent breaks. If you know the approximate length of time you’ll be in the testing session, try studying for that length of time without a break, to get used to being focused on a test for that long.

Whatever your goal, daily vocabulary study will strengthen your mind and improve your conversational skills. Keep at it, and you’ll be a winner!