Study better, not harder

It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it!

Understanding how to study and which style suits you helps get the results you deserve! Love a visual? Short and sweet? Or do longer study periods work better for you?

No matter what your style, this article will outline studying techniques and give you top-tier study advice.

Why work smarter, not harder?

Ever heard the story of the student who crammed all night before the exam and got top marks? It’s a story, and rarely ever happens!

To be successful at uni, you need effective study habits. You’ll understand the material better, feel less stressed and be better prepared for your exams—first class!

So how do you go about turning yourself into an academic superstar?

What are the different study styles?

There are many ways to fill your brain with glorious facts. Unsure on the best study technique for you? Here are some of the most effective ways to study,choose the one that’s right for you:

• Spaced repetition: you learn something, put it aside, and then go back to it. You’ll need a revision timetable to make this one work. But In a nutshell, it’s the opposite of cramming and all-nighters
  
• Active recall: you make flashcards and test yourself to help your brain memorise, retain, and retrieve information better. Can’t remember what’s on the flashcard? That shows you the areas you need to improve in. Go you!
  
• Use visuals: you use diagrams, mind maps, and flow charts in different colours and shapes to help you organise and remember information. This is a popular approach because many people find it easier to remember pictures
  
• Pomodoro: you divide your study into 25-minute (or 45-minute) sessions. Then you take a 5-minute (or 15-minute) total break. After four cycles, you take a longer break. This makes you focus like an academic powerhouse
  
• Feynman technique: you break down complex concepts and rephrase them so that a school child could understand it. It helps you get to the nuts and bolts of something
  
• Leitner System: you use flashcards in a certain order to learn by repetition and sequence. You remember stuff like you would song lyrics. Tapping or pacing works for some people too
  
• PQ4R or SQ3R study methods: you preview, question, read, reflect, recite, and review, (PQ4R), or survey, question, read, recite, and review (SQ3R). Both are great frameworks if you need to take in lots of info

Which ones sound like they’d work for you?

The best way to revise for uni exams

Most uni courses are a mix of exams and coursework. Both can be challenging in different ways.

Coursework is tough as it requires commitment. Throughout the year, you need to be on top of your game. Every piece of work you submit needs to be your very best.

Exams can be high pressure and you’ve got one chance to get it right. Some people thrive on that pressure and perform brilliantly.

The best way to revise for your uni exams is to:

• Create a study schedule: plan your revision time well in advance and make sure you stick to your timetable so you cover everything
  
• Use past papers: practise with previous exam papers so you get familiar with the format and types of questions you’ll be answering
  
• Find a study buddy: studying with a partner can keep you motivated and help you both understand the more difficult concepts you have to master better
  
• Stay healthy: healthy mind, healthy body. Eat, exercise, study, sleep, and repeat

Tips for all learning styles

No matter what your learning style, the way you knuckle down and get on it studying wise will make a difference.

Here are some common sense hacks and university study tips you can use now:

• Be consistent: dedicated study time creates a routine. This makes it easier to stay focused and you’re less likely to delay or skip a session
  
• Get organised: a tidy space = tidy mind. Have everything you need to hand and use a study planner. Procrastination is the thief of time and all that!
  
• Set out your goals: what do you need to learn? Focus on long and short-term goals. Think of them like building blocks
  
• Focus on one thing at a time: do one thing at a time rather than trying to do everything at once

Time for some downtime?

All work and no play isn’t a flex. Here are three ways to give yourself a break and big yourself up for the next big study sesh:

• Do something different for a bit: When you study for long periods without breaks, your concentration can drop. Take regular breaks to give yourself time to relax and recharge. Make a drink, have a big stretch, catch up on the news, or even read a book! Then go back to your studies feeling refreshed and ready to learn.

• Reward yourself: Motivate yourself by giving yourself a small reward every time you reach your goals. You’ll become the teacher you always wanted to have! Treat yourself with a takeaway coffee, a long hot soak in the bath, or stream the next episode of your favourite TV show.

• Friends will be friends: Meeting up with friends is a great way to unwind and boost your brain power. Meet them in a bar, hit them up with a phone call, or set up a video call. Having a laugh, sharing stories, and talking about anything but your study subject will balance you again. It’ll fire you up ready to take on your next study sesh.

Learn for next time

Got the mark you wanted? Go you!

Didn’t get the mark you wanted? Don’t panic. No one is perfect. But it’s easy to feel down if you don’t get the grade you wanted. Stay calm after a tough exam and see it as a learning experience.

Ask yourself, “What worked and what didn’t? Where did you go wrong this time and how can you change that for next time?” The answers to those questions will unlock the results you want. You show them!