Study Schedule, Routine, and Environment:
In preparing for the PHR/SPHR exam, you might find yourself studying the way you've always studied. For some, this will be effective, for others, perhaps not. The following study tips may help those who are struggling to get through the materials.

Create a Study Schedule and Develop a Routine.
Creating a study schedule (and sticking to it) is the best way to ensure you cover the entire HR Body of Knowledge prior to your exam date. In creating a study schedule, be realistic about how much time you have to devote to studying each day. A schedule that doesn't fit your individual circumstances can sabotage your study efforts by creating stress, causing fatigue, or overwhelming you to the point you want to give up. An effective study schedule should break down the materials into manageable sections, should fit into the allotted time you have available to study, and should allow some time for review. Sample Study Schedules

A study routine will compliment your study schedule. If you schedule certain times of the day to study, you will get into a routine and accomplish more. If you try to just "fit it in" during your day, chances are that you will never find the time. Schedule your study time on your calendar, as if you have an appointment, because you do...with your books! Having a routine will help you stick to your study schedule.

Prepare Your Study Environment.
If you require certain elements in your environment to help you study, try to always make these a priority. For example, do you need special lighting, silence, music, privacy, available snacks, a notebook, a highlighter, etc.? Figure out what works for you and repeat it each time you sit down to study. When you take practice exams, think about the environment where you will be testing. The testing center is certainly not silent, you can't have food or drink with you, it may be too cold or too hot, and the chairs may not feel like yours at home. Think about these things while you prepare and do what you can to simulate the test environment when you take practice exams.

Study in Short, Frequent Sessions.
It has been proven that short bursts of concentration repeated frequently are much more effective than one long session. So, even if you only have 10 minutes, DO IT. Take a break. Then study another 10 minutes. This "distributed learning" approach is highly efficient because it honors the way the brain likes to work. The brain needs recovery and recharging time for protein synthesis. It's during rest periods when your brain assimilates your effort. To sit and study for hours and hours is not only boring, it creates fatigue, stress, and distraction. You cannot learn if you are fatigued, stressed, or distracted.