Top 5 Study Tips You Need To Know [4min read]
Do you ever find yourself cramming for a test or exam at the last minute? Don鈥檛 worry, we鈥檝e all been there. With a little bit of planning, successful study sessions come much more easily. Follow these five study tips below to improve your techniques and achieve your academic goals in no time.听
Organize Your Study Space
The first step to achieving a successful study session is to have an organized workspace. Having a dedicated space for studying allows you to stay focused and reduce distractions. It鈥檚 important to personalize your space and make yourself feel comfortable while keeping the space functional and practical.听
Maybe your most effective location is a desk with a comfy chair or a quiet corner of your bedroom. Wherever it may be, ensure it鈥檚 a space with good lighting and enough room to spread out your textbooks and notes. Try to have storage or a drawer for things like pens or pencils, chargers and any other study essentials to reduce the number of times you need to get up during your session. When everything is easily accessible, you鈥檒l have the tools you need to have a great experience.
Plan Out Your Time
Whether you鈥檙e studying for a test or exam, or working on an essay or assignment, it鈥檚 critical to manage your time carefully. Designing a timeline in advance allows you to organize the assignments or projects that may take more time than others. Some people work best when they allow a certain period of time for each chapter or section of the material they鈥檙e covering.
It鈥檚 always a great idea to include a little extra time in your schedule, in case a topic or task takes longer than you originally planned. Most importantly, if you know there鈥檚 a test on the horizon, be sure to set aside some time for review the day before. Then in the morning you won鈥檛 have to worry about last-minute cramming and you鈥檒l feel more confident entering the test. Having a schedule means you can check on your progress daily to ensure you鈥檙e reaching your study goals.听
Take Breaks
Study sessions can be quite long, especially for university students. Scheduling designated break times into your study schedule will help prevent burnout and keep you focused. One common method is to study for 30 minutes, followed by a five or 10-minute break before returning back to your work. If you schedule breaks, you also give yourself a benchmark to look forward to, which helps the time pass more quickly.听
When you give your brain time to rest, it鈥檚 able to focus more during the study periods. If you鈥檙e someone who finds yourself taking too many breaks and struggling to focus, try setting a timer and not looking at the clock until it goes off.
Fuel Your Body
During your study breaks, it鈥檚 also important to fuel your body. Although endless cups of coffee may sound like a good idea, try eating more nutritious foods and drinking water to keep yourself energized instead. Snack on healthy carbs, fruits and veggies to boost your focus and fuel your body. Not only will you find yourself having more energy, but you may also notice improved memory and the ability to process information faster.听
We simply can鈥檛 perform at our best on an empty stomach.
Stay Motivated
One of the most important aspects of a student鈥檚 success is motivation. It鈥檚 the driving force that encourages you to be productive and accomplish your goals! Try to find activities that help you feel motivated to study. Whether it鈥檚 listening to your favourite music or podcast, or burning off some stress with a good workout, start to associate these things with having a productive study session. Eventually, you鈥檒l develop a routine that puts you in the right mindset to focus and will set you up for success.听
Bonus Tip: Take Advantage of the Resources Offered by CBU
CBU has a great list of student resources to improve your study sessions. The , Math & Science Centre听补苍诲 Writing Centre are available to students online and by appointment.听
Keep an eye out for free study and organization workshops offered throughout the year, and don鈥檛 hesitate to set up a meeting with an Academic Success Coach to discuss your unique goals. A full list of student services can be found on the CBU website.听
Happy studying!