7 Study Tips

For even the most hardworking and successful of students, studying and revision requires stamina and self-discipline; whether you’re studying for an undergraduate degree, end-of-term exams or a Masters or PGCE, it’s essential that you stay on the ball and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your revision time - but what can you do to alleviate the pressure and get the best possible results on the big day?

Space out your studying - It’s important to pace yourself when studying by spacing out activities - this can be organised on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on the scale of the task at hand. By studying at regular intervals and ‘chunking’ larger tasks into manageable sections by priority, you may surprise yourself with the speed of your progress.

Take breaks - While taking a well-deserved break can go a long way in helping us to recharge and relax when undergoing a vigorous study regime, it’s essential that you make your breaks as productive as possible - use any downtime to exercise, boost your mental wellbeing or even change location to a more study-friendly environment; for best results, allocate yourself a specified break (30mins - 1 hour) and ensure that this does not over-run into the next block of study time.

Listen to music - Music is a fantastic motivator for many students, so don’t be afraid to crank up the volume and listen to your favourite tunes when studying, whether your preference is for calming ambient music, energising punk or breakneck drum and bass! As well as improving your mood and motivation, listening to music you enjoy on wireless Bluetooth headphones can go a long way in boosting your concentration and cancelling out any distractions in your immediate environment.

Use Flashcards or mind maps - While the use of flashcards and mind maps is nothing new amongst university students, visual cues are great for memorising information and organising your thoughts. Consider sticking flashcards to doors, walls and even shower screens to maximise your exposure to the necessary revision materials.

Set study goals - When making schedules for important study periods, try to set goals or SMART targets for yourself each day, whether that be conquering a tricky topic, finishing a chapter or completing a unit of work. By making your targets relatively easy to achieve, you’ll be able to reward yourself regularly, reduce revision stress and boost your mental well-being when studying.

Put your phone away - It’s incredibly easy to get distracted by your phone when studying for an exam, so try to keep your mobile off and out of reach in order to focus on the task at hand and avoid losing precious time at the desk. If you need to keep your mobile device nearby, ensure that it’s on silent/aeroplane mode to minimise distractions and, most importantly, try to stay away from social media until you’ve finished for the day!

Test yourself - One of the easiest ways to measure your progress, identify mistakes and reinforce previous learning is to test yourself, which can be easily done using lists and ‘fill in the blank’ activities. If possible, have your friends and family put your knowledge to the test and remember - no cheating!