Lesson Overview

Study Skills are the strategies and techniques that help you make the most of your time, academic potential and resources. Improving your study skills can help you get more work done in the time available to you, and make it easier to retain the information you learn.

Developing proper study strategies will help reduce the stress associated with studying and improve your academic output. There are different learning styles out there, and you will find the method that works best for you.

Study Strategies - How Do People Learn

Learning Style

There are many different styles of learning, and each has different methods associated with them. People rarely learn in one specific way, and often people will learn different subjects in different ways. The main learning styles are:

Visual (pictures, diagrams and videos)
Solitary (private, introspective and independent)
Auditory (class discussions, lectures and audio tapes)
Tactile (hands on and learning by doing)
Logical (recognising patterns and grouping information)
Social (group work, pair work, and 1-to-1 instruction)

The best way to find the learning style that works best for you is to try out different methods until you find a way of working that feels natural and enables you to be productive. For example, Mind Maps are particularly useful for Visual and Logical learners, but Social and Auditory learners will usually prefer group sessions. Studying should not feel like you are going up against a brick wall. Finding the method that works best for you and identifying your preferred learning style is key to developing good study strategies, and reducing the stress of study periods.

Good Study Habits

Once you have identified your preferred learning styles, it’s important to start developing good study habits. These habits will help you no matter what you study, but remember that what works for you may not work for someone else. Below are some things you should consider.

Environment

Having a dedicated learning space is crucial for developing a good study routine. Your study space should be free from distraction and organised, as a cluttered work space will distract you from your work. Figure out whether you work best from home, in the library or elsewhere. Wherever you study, make sure you have everything you need on hand, to save you time looking for it in the middle of your study session.

Getting Organised

Timetabling your study sessions is a useful way of making sure you know what you need to do and when. Putting your deadlines into the calendar will also let you visualise your priorities, and let you know what you should be working on. It’s important to plan for breaks between and during study sessions. Taking a break after 25-30 minutes will allow your brain time to rest, and will improve your efficiency in the long term.

Good Study Habits Video Lesson

Goal Setting

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Once you’ve planned out your study sessions, it’s important to stick to that routine and goal setting will help you achieve that. People’s energy levels vary and you should accommodate your own energy levels. Study the most difficult material when your energy levels are at their highest – when you’re too tired to tackle difficult material you won’t be able to concentrate on it.

Consider the 3 Ws of goal setting:

Will - Your determination to complete the task; for example, research for your essay or assignment
What - You want to achieve something; for example, your want to do research, you want to write something up, you want to edit
When - Set a realistic time limit

Goals should be within your skills range, realistic, flexible, measurable and within your control.

“Be here now!” is a simple strategy to help your mind from wandering away from study. Living in the present and planning for the future are not contradictory; they’re complimentary! Part of your routine can be making the statement and bringing your attention back to study. This is something that needs work (for everyone!), so keep trying this – it really works.

Set aside "Worry Time" (half an hour a day) when you get distracted by your thoughts or lose concentration because you are worried about something. During this slot, allow yourself the time to worry and then bring your focus back to the task in hand.

Things to look out for...

- Do you have an organised study space?
- When and where do you work best?
- Have you mixed and matched your learning styles?
- Have you set clear and realistic goals?
- Did you schedule your workload?
- Have you taken breaks?
- Have you evaluated your schedule and goals to ensure it works best for you?

ASPIRE Checklist

You will be more successful if you take an active role in planning, monitoring and evaluating your education.

Procrastination and Managing Stress

Procrastination

One of the major hindrances to effective studying is procrastination. This is when we put off or avoid doing something that must be done. It causes guilt and anxiety which can cause us to leave tasks to the last minute which results in poor performance. Here are some of the reasons why students procrastinate:

A lack of confidence (which may mean that you are seeking perfectionism or have a fear of failure)
Confusion and difficulty in understanding a topic
A lack of motivation (which can lead to struggling with concentration)
A lack of understanding where priorities lie

A good way to overcome this is the "Eat the frog method". This is when you start your day or afternoon, whenever suits you, by tackling the task you are dreading the most. Once you complete the most difficult task first, everything else will seem easier. It also means that you can alleviate any anxiety and stress from repeatedly putting something off.

How to Avoid Procrastination

If you find that the "Eat the frog method" is not working effectively for you, below are some other methods you can try out in order to avoid procrastination:

Motivate yourself – Create a reward system for yourself on completion of any task
Prioritize tasks – Whether it be according to deadline or by difficulty level, always start with the most challenging task
Find your time to work - Work on tasks at times when you work best!
Break large tasks down into manageable chunks – Make sure you don't overwhelm yourself by placing all tasks into one to-do list. Separate out your tasks into shorter- and longer-term goals
Form a group – Whether it is a WhatsApp group or Facebook page, checking in with peer and exchanging ideas is a great way of relieving stress and keeping motivated
Get help from a lecturer/tutor/fellow student – The Skills Centre is also here to help you!
Eliminate distractions – for example, put your phone on airplane mode and place it in a separate room or drawer of your desk. Choose suitable music that will not distract you while studying, such as classical music
Take regular breaks – Work in manageable chunks will help keep you motivated while studying (try 20, 25, or 30min chunks)
Delayed gratification – Make sure not to reward yourself too much! You can try rewarding yourself with something small each time you complete a task
Environment – Ensure the temperature is right, that no one is interfering, that there is no loud music, but that you can work in a peaceful and quiet environment - this will be extremely helpful!

Managing Stress

The most important aspect of studying is to ensure that you are manging your stress levels. Where possible, you should always prioritise yourself. Below are some tips to maintain a positive outlook when situations, people and events make excessive demands:

Prioritise in order of importance – Working on the hardest task first will ease your mind for the rest of the day, allowing you to concentrate better on the rest of your study
Learn to say “no” – If people in your group chat are asking for too many notes, do not be afraid to say no. You can also allocate another time to send notes. Similarly, if you are at home, and you need to do chores, arrange to do them at a different time that does not intersect with your study sessions
Try to be proactive in improving or changing the stressful situation
Remove yourself from the situation - Take a momentary break
Relaxation – Try yoga, meditation or breathing exercises - You could also try going for a walk, drinking coffee or calling a friend
Physical exercise
Get enough sleep
Avoid self-medication

You may want to try out a few of these tips over the next few weeks to see what methods work best for you. Always stay positive and try to use stress productively! Acknowledge your stress and try to move on from it if possible.

How to Actively Study at Home - Minute Methods

Study Strategies