How To Study Effectivity
GET ORGANISED Taking the time to get organized will set you up well and help you achieve your learning goals. Top study tips: Invest in a diary, and use it to keep track of current assignment deadlines. Bring all the material and devices you need to class, so you can participate. You may find it helpful to pack your bag the night before, so you’re ready to go first thing in the morning
Skipping class can be detrimental to your learning and achieving your study goals. It leaves gaping holes in your notes – and in your subject knowledge. Rather than juggling four subjects at once, you’ll concentrate on one unit (subject) over a four-week ‘block’ period. You’ll attend three-hour workshop-style classes, three times a week. The rest of your time can be used to study, work, see friends – whatever is most important to you. Remember to practice active listening by focusing on what your teachers are saying in class and taking notes as needed.
TALK TO YOUR TEACHER & ASK QUESTIONS Your teacher is, in a way, a resource who is there to be used! The VU Block Model allows you to focus on one subject at a time. Learning in a work-shop style class, you get the opportunity to know your teacher. You can take advantage of this interactive learning environment by asking questions during or after class, where you can get fast feedback. Teachers can further clarify any topics you find confusing. You may even be able to get a little direction on assignments before submitting. Your teacher will no doubt be impressed with your initiative and happy to help.
SPACE OUT YOUR STUDYING One of the most effective ways of studying is to space out your learning sessions. If you break up your study load over several days, you’ll retain information far more readily than if you crammed in one long session. This can help deeply ingrain information, allowing you to retain it for the long term. You’ll find you achieve much better results for it.
CREATE A STUDY PLAN – & STICK TO IT One top study tip is to create a schedule or plan. This is incredibly helpful for time management and can help you reach your learning goals. A study plan will: motivate you to study, as you’ll have time dedicated to learning keep you organized around work, hobbies and other commitments, as you can plan ahead break your study load into manageable blocks give you time to complete your assignments, ensuring they’re not rushed or last-minute.
TEST YOURSELF Getting someone to quiz you – or quizzing yourself – is great retrieval practice. This learning technique helps you commit information to your long-term memory and easily retrieve it when needed. Recalling an answer to a question improves learning, as does writing down that answer – you’re committing it to memory. You might find it helpful to create flash cards each time you learn a new topic. Flash cards can have questions on them or have a prompt that triggers the recall of relevant information. Ask a parent, friend, housemate or study buddy to quiz you, using your flash cards. The act of creating them alone will help you better retain information and is an effective study technique.
FIND A STUDY BUDDY OR JOIN A STUDY GROUP One of the best ways to study is to share the experience with another person. It can be beneficial to find a study buddy – or even form a study group with like-minded students. Your study buddy/group can: keep you motivated help you stay accountable quiz and test you on course material read over your work to offer advice share resources, such as textbooks, lowering expenses.