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Study Tips & Techniques

Study Tips &Techniques

By Becket Duncan & Meredith Noseworthy | Academic Advising

  1. Ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your professors when you have questions or see a problem on the horizon. If your methods are not working, talk with your professors or an academic advisor to brainstorm new strategies to try. Professors may not see you three times a week and will not have a gauge on how you are doing unless you tell them. Be as communicative as possible.
  2. Identify your learning objectives and goals. What are you expected to learn in this class and why? How does this class fit in your long-term academic plans and goals? How does this assignment help you meet goals for the class and your long-term academics? Reminding yourself of why you are completing an assignment and how it is helping you in the long run can help to build and sustain your motivation.
  3. Treat an online course like an in-person course. Even if you do not have synchronous class commitments, schedule times to “go to class” and watch lecture videos, complete discussion forums, or other activities you’d normally do in class. Then schedule “study” times to do the work you would normally do outside of class: work on papers, complete reading assignments or homework, prepare for an exam, etc. This can help you preserve your routine, and ensure you are spending enough time with the material. Your brain and body will function at its highest capacity when there is a sense of routine and normalcy. This is your chance to build it into your schedule.
  4. Make a study plan. It is always helpful to break up your studying into smaller chunks, and this is especially true in online settings where you might fatigue more quickly. That can make long study sessions less efficient and productive.

    · Set the Goal (1 minute): decide what you want to accomplish and be realistic

    · Study with Focus (15-35 minutes): interact with the material (active reading, concept map, problem-solve, practice, rewrite without an aid, etc.)

    · Quick Reward (1-2 minutes): set a timer and take a break (walk around, eat a snack, snuggle your pet)

    · Quick Review (1-2 minutes): compare rewritten notes, do a quick quiz, or similar. Answer: what do you need to accomplish next time you work on this assignment/subject?

  5. Join a study team. Studying together over Zoom or sending messages in a group chat can help you motivate each other and hold each other accountable. You can also remind each other of upcoming due dates, ask questions and write practice problems for one another. Teaching a concept to a peer or explaining how you solved a sample problem is a great way to test the depth of your knowledge. This is like the first point. It is much more difficult to do this without seeing people in person, so you will need to put forth a conscious effort to make it happen.
  6. Practice time management and make space for breaks. Focus on studying when you have scheduled study time, and schedule breaks to relax and recharge. Use browser lockdown and Do Not Disturb functions to limit interruptions and practice digital diligence.
  7. Create the space. It is hard not to have access to our favorite study carrel in the library but do what you can to create a separate “studying” space for yourself. Moving into a new room, sitting upright at a table rather than reclining on the couch, or even changing into “class clothes” rather than staying in PJs all day can help change your mindset to focus on studying. It also helps create a little distance during break times, and it is easier to relax if your books are not on your bed.
  8. Reward yourself. It is important to recognize that you have worked hard, and even small rewards can go a long way in sustaining the motivation you need to finish. We are working during turbulent times. Giving yourself a reward sends an extra boost of dopamine to your brain.
  9. Stay healthy. Eating regular and balanced meals, staying hydrated, exercising, and maintaining a sleep schedule all positively impact our immune systems.
  10. Use online resources. Do not forget that you still have access to tutors, reference librarians, databases, academic advisors, and your professors through electronic means. And of course, check the Compass Center’s weekly newsletter for more tips!