Being a student is a lot of fun - friends, parties, clubs, freedom, late nights and rambling discussions - but there always comes a point when you need to knuckle down and study. Here's how to make your academic study sessions as easy and painless as possible ... you might even enjoy it.
Work at your "peak" time of day
Try to study when your brain is at its best. For a lot of people, that's in the morning, and most of us have a "slump" around four pm. Figure out what your most creative and energetic time is, and - if at all possible - plan to study then.
Don't worry if this means working odd hours! Some students find that they focus really well at midnight; others can get a huge amount done at 5am. One of the greatest things about being a student is not being tied to office-hours.
Avoid, as much as you can, trying to study at your lowest points. You'll make yourself feel tired and frustrated, and the work you produce won't be your best. Plan to have a break - or at least do some mundane things like photocopying and grocery shopping - during your "brain dead" times.
Find somewhere quiet to work
As well as working at the right time for your brain, you need to work in the right place. None of us can study effectively in a noisy environment, or one with constant distractions. If you can, work in a library; it's usually quiet, and there's not much to do apart from study!
When you need to work in your room, try disconnecting the internet and switching off your phone. Shut the door and ignore anyone who knocks - or put up a note saying that you're busy and don't want to be disturbed. It's very tempting to take any excuse to end a study session early...
Work for 30-45 minutes at a time
You do need to take regular breaks from studying, though. Trying to focus for two hours non-stop will prevent you from working efficiently, and it'll make you tired and grouchy. Work for 30-45 minutes at a time - that means no stopping to check email or Facebook - and then have a 10-15 minutes break to make a coffee, read comic books, chat to a friend, or whatever you like.
Just make sure you get straight back to work, rather than letting a "quick break" drag out to several hours...
Take notes - don't just read
Have you ever heard the advice to "study actively"? That means not just sitting and reading over and over your text book or lecture notes. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen - or several pens of different colours, if you want to make it a bit more fun. As you read, write down key points. This could be a spider diagram, a bullet-pointed list, or a series of paragraphs: choose whatever works best for you.
Another good exercise is to get a set of 6" x 4" cards and jot notes onto those. This is great when it comes to exam time, as a concise set of notes on cards is much less daunting than a stack of textbooks. Some students like to make notes on lined paper initially, then condense these notes onto the cards.
Whatever method you use, make sure you're actively working on the information you're reading - not just letting it wash past your eyes.
Ali Hale is a postgraduate student of Creative & Life Writing, and runs the blog Alpha Student ("Helping you make the most of your time at Uni"). Ali works as a freelance writer and website creator, and is on the staff of several large blogs. If you're looking for a writer or a website, you can hire her via Aliventures. |
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