Procrastination, mental health, lack of motivation, strict deadlines, and the never-ending list of issues students face while studying.
We all have been at a point where we felt that our study habits were not cutting it. The constant thoughts striking in the mind that “I can do a lot better than this” is real. But the question is how?
UK educational systems typically have bigger classes with hundreds of students. Hence, professors don’t have enough time to spend on one kid.
So, mostly, you have to take a step ahead and think of ways to study effectively in less time. In this blog, we will discuss some methods for it. So, make sure to give it a read till the end!
Reading Is Not Studying
Okay, so firstly, you must know that reading and studying are two different things. If you are just reading and re-reading your notes, then let me tell you, you are not engaging with the material. In addition, re-reading leads to quick forgetting.
According to Edwards (2014), reading is an important part of pre-studying. But learning information requires active engagement with the content.
So, here are some tips for active studying:
- Create a study guide and formulate questions and answers about it. This way you can create your own quiz.
- Secondly, suppose you are a teacher and say the information aloud as if you are teaching someone.
- Write examples that relate to your own experience
- Create a content map or figures to explain the information
Know the Study Cycle
The Study Cycle, by Frank Christ, breaks down the studying process into different parts.
These are:
- Preview
- Attend class
- Review
- Study
- Check your understanding
These steps look too obvious and easy, so sometimes students miss some of them. In addition, they miss the opportunity to learn better. For example, you may skip reading a topic because the professor will be teaching it in class. This way, you miss the chance to study in two different modes (reading and listening). Hence, make sure to understand the importance of this cycle to study effectively.
Intensive Study Sessions
Intensive study sessions are designed to maximize learning efficiency. In addition, these sessions last 25-50 minutes, followed by short breaks. Before starting, you have to set realistic goals that how many problems you are going to solve.
Also, eliminate distractions and try to focus on the task. In addition, the pressure to complete your task will help you avoid procrastination.
Also, this is beneficial for CIPD students the most. We all know that CIPD assignments are pretty hard, and implementing this would be a great way to write these assignments.
Comfortable Study Space
It’s a common assumption that studying in a library is the best option. However, silence is not always golden when it comes to studying. Instead, it’s important to know what kind of space suits you the best.
Some people are more comfortable studying with some background noise. While others prefer to listen to music, as it helps to improve their focus. However, if you have no other place to study other than a library, then it’s best to sit on the first or second floor. They usually have a little “buzz” in their background.
Be Friends With Problems
When it comes to technical courses, working and reworking on your problems is important. In addition, you must be capable of explaining the steps of the problem and why they work.
In class, you must carefully understand the problems your professor discusses. Look and understand all the steps with proper attention and ask questions right away if you are confused.
Furthermore, while preparing for a test, write down several problems on paper. In addition, work on the problems and explain the steps in detail.
Avoid Multitasking
There are numerous studies that show that multitasking is not a good option while studying. In fact, it negatively affects results.
Well, the key is to study smarter, not harder. For that, you will have to eliminate distractions during your study sessions. These include social media, web browsing, or just spending a lot of time on extracurricular activities.
According to Junco (2012), he says that multitasking increases the total duration to learn. He further says that it decreases the quality of learning.
So, cut down all the distractions once you begin studying. Also, if your work doesn’t require the use of electronic devices, then shut them off.
Try Changing Your Routine
If you feel that your current study routine is not effective enough, then try changing it. For that, you have to know which time and place work best for you.
For example, if you study at 10 AM but are not sure if you can work on your maximum potential, change it. You can try studying in the afternoon or at night. According to many studies, it is found that many pupils perform better when studying at night.
Create a Schedule
Students are given deadlines in academics. Therefore, it’s important to have solid control over your schedule and make sure to complete the work within the given time. Well, the only solution for it is to have direct control over your schedule.
The following steps can be helpful for you:
- On the same day of every week, you can try doing the exact same thing. For example, you can dedicate a day to writing or research.
- Secondly, look at your calendar and check how many hours you have to complete before the weekend.
- It’s important to set realistic plans that can be completed within the given time.
Final Words
Students often struggle when it comes to studying. Many of them think that their study approach is not good enough, or they aren’t working at their maximum potential.
For those, we have discussed some crucial points to perform better in academics. In addition, this includes intensive study sessions, having a comfortable space, avoiding multitasking, creating a schedule, and so on.
Also, pupils must know that there’s no right way to study. The way that suits you the best is the right for you. So, explore different options to land at the right spot.