Study skills that must be developed, encouraged and defined are thinking skills, reading techniques, how to extract the right information and how to take and organise notes. Here are some quick tips to make the process simpler and easier:
- Study space should be quiet, peaceful but not encourage sleeping – so stay off the bed.
- Keep a waste basket handy for those scraps of paper.
- Keep everything you need for studying in one place so you can always find it.
- Never study within 30 minutes of going to bed – your retention will be significantly less and you won’t be able to go to sleep as easily.
- Prioritise what you have to get done and erase what you only want to complete.
- If it’s possible don’t study more than 40 minute stretches. Students retain more information when they take short breaks, stretch, get the blood moving and reflect on what they’ve learned.
- Get rid of distractions in the classroom by sitting in the front of the class. Think during learning time and don’t ‘space out’ – think before writing anything down and pay attention to the outline or syllabus.
- Students who want to improve their study skills do – those who are only doing it because others require it don’t do nearly as well. If you want to work harder and smarter you’ll reap the benefits. If you don’t want it you’ll be frustrated, aggravated and irritated with those who are asking you to make these changes.
