Study methods: Unlock your full potential
As the academic year begins, it might be the right time to evaluate how you study. No matter how you learn, knowing the different ways to take in information will make all the difference. Below are some ideas for effective study methods that will help you excel throughout this academic year.
Active recall
One of the most effective study methods is active recall. It enhances memory retention and deepens understanding by urging learners to recall information without prompts, helping strengthen neural connections.
There are a couple of different ways to try active recall. One method involves writing down your notes, and then reading them through. You then need to recall what you’ve just learnt. You can do this by trying to explain to yourself what you have just read from memory. This technique recreates the pressure you might feel recalling information under exam conditions.
Another way to practise active recall is by spacing out the time between reading your notes, and recalling them. This will result in you looking at your revision material more often, which will help you to better remember and retain information.
Study buddy
Partner up with someone and take turns testing each other’s knowledge on key concepts. Having someone to revise with is a great motivator to learn and makes studying a lot more enjoyable and less daunting. It helps you to understand concepts better and identify gaps in your knowledge. You are also more likely to stick to your study schedule as a shared sense of accountability prevents procrastination.
When choosing your partner, make sure you pick someone whose goals are aligned with yours and who will have the same level of commitment. Set regular sessions to ensure consistency, and test each other often to track and manage progress. If you don’t have someone to study with, you can always explain the learning materials aloud to yourself.
Create a study space
Designating an area or corner in your home to study, will help you get into a good headspace for concentrating. It boosts productivity by helping your brain associate a specific place with focus and learning and sets clear boundaries between your personal and academic life, reducing stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
When designating a space for your studies, make sure this area is quiet and free from distractions such as phones, TV and pets. Keep your area organised, clean and well-lit to ensure you stay engaged and motivated to learn.
Vary your resources
If you’re unable to physically create a study space for yourself, you can vary your study tools instead. This will help keep learning fresh and prevent mental fatigue. Having a variety of study tools will also improve problem-solving skills by introducing diversity to the way you approach tasks.
You can do this by using a laptop for practice questions and flashcards to revise notes. This will keep the brain stimulated and ready to absorb new information. Be sure to constantly adapt tools to your strengths and optimise to use what works best for you.
Prioritise your tasks
Prioritise your tasks by tackling the most difficult subjects first, and then work your way down to the easiest. If you start with the most challenging topics when your brain is fresh, you have a better chance of retaining content. This method also improves time management by allowing you to allocate the correct amount of time to each topic.
To get started with this method, you will need to list down your priorities and determine the urgency of each one, starting with the most important. Break each task down into smaller, manageable steps and set deadlines to add a layer of responsibility.
To sum up
By utilising these study methods you will set yourself up for success this year, and remember, make sure you give yourself frequent breaks and have sufficient food and sleep to keep you energised throughout the day. Happy studying!
Salka recently completed a marketing apprenticeship with us, she is now a permanent member of the team. She supports with various projects from social media and events, to digital advertising and copywriting.
