1. How to study
A rough guide

2. Why?
Talking with students indicated that a number struggled to study effectively
They needed a how-to
This is based on my experience, so is somewhat limited
So change it to match what you need!
Aimed primarily at university considerations

3. Get out of the house
Some people can set up a desk and discipline themselves at home, I can’t do that easily.
Stop cleaning the toilet
Anything seems more interesting than study at home
You will find yourself procrastinating, looking for excuses and distractions, even just staring out the window patting the cat
So you need to move
You need to change the environment, so leave the house/flat

4. Write notes
Take yourself to a library, or a space where you can work quietly and not be disturbed.
Write notes as you study
Why? - When you go to read a text a second time you will remember it and switch off.
So now condense your study notes. Refer back to the text to expand on things you don’t recall well.
Then condense your study notes again, and again… until they fit on one side of an A4
When the exam comes you have one page to read, and it will be memory triggers and very familiar, boosting your confidence and knowledge just before you start.

5. One step at a time You need to make it a habit
So one hour every day, plan it
Do it before you do anything else, make it a key part of your day
Then you are free to enjoy the rest of the day knowing you have done it
Reward yourself, free time with friends, a movie, a coffee…. BUT only after you have done the hour, be disciplined, don’t think about it , just do it.
When you brush your teeth for 5 minutes a day you don’t save it up and do it for an hour on Sunday, it doesn’t work like that.
Nor does study, one hour a day, one step at a time….

6. Tabulate the old Exams
Question 1 & 2 were from our lectures, tutorials and assignments
Question 3 was the chapter as recommended reading in the course outline at the start of the year, not covered in lectures.
So read the old exams
There are patterns!
Then when you see the exam you will know what to expect and feel confident in answering most of the exam

7. Hey I am enjoying this…. So now you are studying regularly
It becomes a habit
Then you find yourself reading because you want to know the material
It interests you
So then you start to read for your learning and enjoy it
One day you will find yourself reading a textbook for fun and wonder what happened!!