Students should incorporate these study tips into their study routines in order to retain information easier and achieve greater academic success.
Whether students are taking nine or 18 credit hours, their success in a course depends not just on their work ethic but also on studying efficiently. Practicing new strategies and tips for efficient studying should be a priority for students.
The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Learning Center offers many tips and tricks for studying smarter, not harder. A student could spend hours studying for a test, but if he or she is not studying in an effective way, then the outcome may not match the desired goal.
Active studying
The UNC Learning Center addresses the importance of “active studying.” Students are less likely to retain information if they read and re-read texts. Instead, students should try active study habits which include creating their own study guide or quiz, teaching a classmate about the material and creating concept maps and diagrams that explain the content.
Find the right study space
The best way to set aside study time is to treat studying as an extra commitment, not something that is crammed in between other commitments.
“Pick a specific location that is quiet, peaceful and will give you plenty of room to work,” ECPI University said.
Study groups
ECPI University also recommends that students study with a group or partner. If students have a study group and an organized time to study, they will be more likely to show up and put in all their effort during the group study session. Having a study group also gives students more study tools like extra notes and study guides.
“I would not be able to pass Nursing School if I did not have my study group,” Kennesaw State student Maddie Hanna said. “My classmates hold me accountable to create any study guides I agree to make, and I learn the material a lot faster when I am talking out loud and trying to help someone else.”
Paraphrase, don’t memorize
Hanna also explained that when studying confusing concepts, she makes sure to rephrase definitions into her own words. Memorizing a definition she does not understand is not effective when she needs to apply it to a certain situation.
“Expressing an idea in your own words increases your understanding of a subject and helps your brain hang on to information,” Coursera said. “After you read a section of text, summarize important points by paraphrasing.”
Get plenty of sleep
Students can incorporate as many helpful study tips as they want, but if students are not taking care of themselves, information will not be retained. Getting the right amount of sleep is most important for students’ cognitive function.
“Studies have linked sleep deprivation to decreased cognitive function, including reduced attention spans and doing worse on tests,” Coursera said.
