Study Strategies (All Levels)

• Learning and the Brain

  Do you know what researchers have discovered about learning and the brain? Check out the following links to discover more about your amazing brain. Understanding the basic biology of your brain is an important step in developing the most effective approaches for studying.

  Quick Tips

  • When you learn, you are actually growing dendrites between the neurons in your brain. To learn content well and keep those new dendrites, you have to use the content on a regular basis.
  • Try studying frequently, even in 5-10 minute slots throughout the day. This approach will decrease the need for marathon study sessions to prepare for exams.
  • Research suggests that students forget about 75% of a lecture after only 24 hours. Try reviewing your notes after class each day to help increase what you remember.

  
  Learn more about Learning and the Brain
  Brain Rules >>
  Brain Fitness Channel >>
  Lumosity >>
  The Brain Connection >>
  Genes to Cognition >>

• Time Management and Organization

  Developing an effective time management or organizational (aka self-management) system  may be one of the most important strategies for reaching your goals in college. It doesn't matter what your system is as long as it works for you. Try the following resources to assist you in the never ending challenge of managing yourself and negotiating your time.
  
  Quick Tips

  • Use some type of calendar or planner. Include your classes, times to study throughout the day, etc. Write your assignments and due dates on your calendar or planner.
  • Make a daily To Do List for each day, then prioritize the items on your list using numbers.
  • Break large assignments or tasks into smaller steps and set deadlines for each step.

  
  Daily Schedules, Planners and To Do Lists
  The Study Guides and Strategies website has online tools to develop a daily schedule, weekly plan or To Do List.
  Learn more about Study Guides and Strategies >>

  Mindomo's online organizational tools developed by Steve Smith provide a variety of organizational tools.
  Learn more about Mindomo >>

  
  Assignment Calculator
  The Assignment Calculator created by the University of Minnesota is an interactive tool that may help you schedule out steps of project.
  Learn more about the Assignment Calculator >>

• Reading

  Reading is a huge part of college learning and standard textbooks are a part of many classes. Use these strategies to plan your time with your textbooks and learn the most from them.

  
  Quick Tips

  • Identify the best time of day and the best environment for you to read.
  • Read in short bursts--anywhere between 10-45 minutes, then take a short break. Find out what length of time works best for you. Remember that this may differ for different kinds of reading.
  • Monitor your comprehension. After you read a section, summarize what you have learned in your head, in your notes, or with a study partner.

  
  Looking for more reading strategies?
  Learn more about Academic Tips >>
  Learn more about the Student Academic Resource Center at the University of Central Florida >>
   

• Note-Taking

  Taking meaningful class notes is a critical skill for strategic learning in college. Read on to learn more about note-taking and our tips to get the most out of your notes.

  Quick Tips

  • Develop a note-taking system. It doesn't matter what your system is as long as it is meaningful to you. Consider creating a standard structure and using a consistent set of abbreviations.
  • Be sure the date of each class is in your notes. This strategy will help you identify material quickly when you are alone studying or working with a study partner.
  • Go back to your notes after class and elaborate on the content, adding headings or questions,  to make your notes more meaningful to you.
  • If you are not using your notes as a tool to reinforce your learning, you might be missing out on the real benefit of the note-taking process. After class, review your notes quickly, even if it's just for 5-10 minutes later that day. This approach will help solidify the content that you learned in class that day.

  
  Looking for online note-taking tools?
  Learn more about MyNoteit >>
  
  Looking for more note-taking strategies?
  Learn more about the Academic Skills Center at Dartmouth >>
  Learn more about the Student Academic Resource Center at the University of Central Florida >>

• Concept Mapping

  A concept map is a diagram showing the relationships among concepts. Each concept is usually represented by a shape, such as a box or a circle, that is connected to other concepts with arrows. Concept maps can be used for organizing and representing knowledge. You can use concept mapping techniques in taking class or reading notes and during the process of writing a paper.

   

  Quick Tips

  • Draw a concept map of everything you remember after a class. This reorganization of the material will help you remember what you learned that day.
  • Without looking at your notes, develop a concept map when you are studying for a quiz or exam. If you have difficulty developing a concept map for a particular concept, go back and review your notes and then try it again.
  • Draw a concept map when you are trying to develop an essay, paper or project. Concept mapping can spark creativity and help you generate new ideas.

   

  Free Concept Mapping Tools
  Learn more about CMAP >>
  Learn more about FreeMind >>
  Learn more about Bubbl.us >>

• Test Preparation and Test-Taking

  Like it or not, tests and quizzes are part of college life. Review the following tips and strategies for preparing and taking exams.
   
   

  Looking for more test preparation and test taking resources?
  Learn more about Spark Notes >>
  Learn more about YoYoBrain >>

• Stress Management

  Managing stress levels is an ongoing challenge in college. Be sure to check out the campus resources available to you or explore other online resources like those below.

  
  Online Resources

  Sleep Sounds provides a web interface to customize relaxing sounds. These sounds are great for relaxing, meditation and sleeping.
  Check out Sleep Sounds >>

  Trying to de-stress? If so, the Test Anxiety Guru provides a short relaxation walk-through.
  Visit Test Anxiety Guru >>

• Study Goals

  Creating and achieving study goals can help you stay focused while studying.
  
  

  Creating Study Goals

  • Break large projects or assignments into small, manageable tasks. Spread the small tasks out over several days.
  • Set a definite objective for each study session. Make the goal reasonable so you can accomplish it. It's better to set an achievable goal than to set an unreasonable goal that cannot be met.
  • Do enjoyable things after study sessions instead of before. This will help establish good motivation to keep working.
  • Know what times you are most productive and study then.
  • Relax, take study breaks, or do easy study tasks at low-energy times.

  
   

  Achieving Your Study Goals

  • Be thoughtful when you select your space/s for studying.
    Find a space/s on campus that you will use specifically for studying.
  • Minimize internal distractions. Write down ideas or tasks that come to mind during studying so you don't forget them, then set them aside and refocus on your studying.
  • Find something in each class that interests you so you are motivated to study.
  • Attend a Study Group, Supplemental Instruction session, or Tutoring on a regular basis.