Study Tips

Not sure where to start with your study? These tips may help!

Plan your study

• Know when your assignments are due in advance
• Create a calendar or timetable with your weekly tasks so there are no surprises
• Make a weekly check list, so you can tick off tasks as you go
• If possible, plan when you are going to study in advance
• Start your coursework at the beginning of the week so you have as much time as possible

Study effectively

• Go over content again to ensure that it sinks in
• Go over content in different ways. Try writing things down, listening, watching a video or drawing a diagram/picture
• Test yourself by making flash cards or asking yourself questions
• Try asking yourself questions and writing the answers down
• When studying, it is a good idea to write things down as well as going over them in your head
• If you don't understand something as the lecturer, or see if there is another resource available that might explain the concept in a different way
• Do you remember things better if you use a pen and paper to write them down, or do you prefer to use the computer?

Note taking

• You do not need to write down every word that a lecturer has said. Just write down the key points, themes and arguments
• When listening to a lecture, use abbreviations to make note taking quicker. For example, 'w' for with, 'bc' for because etc.
• Keep all of your notes in the same place, whether this is in a word document, One Note, or an exercise book etc.
• Use different colours to write and highlighters if that helps you
• If writing by hand, write neatly enough so that you can re-read your notes!
• Consider using diagrams and pictures

Time management

• If you find that your mind is wandering, step away for the computer and have a break. Set an alarm for when it is time to come back to study
• You might find studying in a different location is helpful. Try changing rooms, going to a library, or studying at the college
• Try experimenting with noise levels. Some people like to study in silence, others prefer some background noise
• Remove distractions like mobile phones. Turn it off and put it in another room if possible
• Use a browser that doesn't have any shortcut links to distracting websites
• Work our which time of day suits you better to study. Morning, evening or during the day? Some people find study best first thing in the morning, others prefer night
• Put a reminder on your phone to study

Enlisting others

• Ask your housemates/family to help you be accountable. Can they remind you to study?
• Arrange some study sessions with your housemates or other students, even if it is just sitting in the same room working on different tasks.