Ever feel like no matter how hard you try in academics, your effort just isn’t cutting it? Ever feel like the techniques that worked for you in school are no longer effective?
Dealing with academics at the beginning of university is a common struggle. The added responsibilities do no make it any easier. It is understandable as university is very different from school. Most of the time students are left to their own devices. Credits are important and grades are broken down into multiple projects and assignments. The struggle can be twofold when a student goes to another country to pursue higher education as the entire structure can be different. Don’t worry though; with some common strategies, it is possible to overcome this dilemma. The key is to be SMART (no that is not an abbreviation). Working hard is super important, but it can all be for nothing if it’s not backed with smart strategies. Here are some effective tips that may for you. Experiment and decide for yourself!
Understand the concept, not the subject
This is one of the key strategies to deal with the insane amount of studies. It is important to unlearn the subject learning approach. Since studies are specialised and detailed, it helps to break your subject(s) into multiple concepts. This makes it easy to learn and retain.
Listen and take notes
Contrary to popular belief, it isnt uncool to pay attention in class. Make sure to take down whatever your professor says. Highlight key points and be mindful of any tips they give.
Get Digital
If paper and ink doesn’t work for you, get tech savvy. Use your phone or laptop to type down notes and make assignments or better yet, record the lectures. Having a soft copy of everything is a great way to save notes for the long term. Moreover they reduce the hassle of bulky stationary.
Extra Reading
Explore beyond what Is taught in the classroom. This adds to your grades and gives you material for projects and research. Moreover, fun facts and trivia make studying so much more interesting.
Revise, Revise, Revise
This seems annoying but there’s no escaping it. Make sure to revise your work, notes, projects and assignments. Have someone review them for you or do it yourself after a break. Going through your work with a fresh perspective helps to level up your academic game.
Switch up your workstation
Where you study is just as important as how you study. If you like some ambient noise, opt for a café or a park. If silence is golden for you, the library is the best place to set up camp. Keep changing places, as studying in the same place can get monotonous. Experiment to see what works best for you.
Disconnect to focus
This sounds like a no brainer but is often overlooked. Set a time for studying and do just that. While phones and laptops help a lot with academics, they can also be a distraction. Set your phone on silent and make sure to turn off any notifications for that time period.
Teach a friend
“To learn is to teach twice.” – Joseph Joubert
If you want to remember something for the rest of your life, make sure you teach it to someone else. No kidding. This method doesn’t require any effort. All you have to do is explain the same concept or even just talk about it to someone else, in the most simple terms. No need for any prep. No fancy words, no teaching aids. Just good ol’face to face conversation and the information is in your long term memory.
Get creative
For all the artsy ones out there. This is your time to shine. Whip out those colored pens and pencils and let your creative instincts loose. Use drawings, color coding and fancy bullets to organize your notes. Even if you aren’t creative, there are printable available to make your study material more fun.
Use all the resources
Most universities provide a bunch of resources to the students which most students are not aware of. All you have to do is ask. Make sure to educate yourself of this from day one. Talk to your counsellor, librarian, or professors for any kind of enquiry. Most of them are always willing to help.
Regardless of where you study, these tips will make a difference in your academics. Trial and error is the key. Always keep an open mind when trying these tips and see what works for you. Good luck! Let us know what is your go to tip for studying in the comments below.
