STUDY SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Now the academic year has officially begun, you may be stepping into university life for the first time, or returning to to campus as an experienced student and we are very happy to have you here. To welcome in the new term, we wanted to share some top tips for studying at university – although you may already know these, it’s good to refresh yourself on best practices at the beginning of the year.

1. Avoid Cramming

As tempting as it might seem to put off studying for an exam until the day before, it doesn’t give your brain time to fully absorb and remember the information. Going over your notes at the end of each week is much more effective long-term than hoping it all sinks in the night before. Top Tip: establish a consistent routine by using a planner or your calendar to stay aware of deadlines and exams so you know when to start revising.

2. Try Different Study Methods

You don’t have to spend six hours a day re-reading notes, there are lots of different ways to maximise your learning, such as:

Pomodoro Technique – study in focused 25-minute bursts with five-minute breaks in-between. After four lots of 25 minutes, you take a longer break of around 15 to 30 minutes.

Flash Cards and Past Papers – test yourself instead of re-reading – do this with flash cards or with past papers to see how much you remember.

Blurting – read all of your notes and then cover them up. Once they’re covered, write down as much as you can remember from your notes to identify gaps in your knowledge.

Fenyman Technique – explain key theories, information or concepts in a simple way to someone who doesn’t know anything about it to test your understanding.

3. Find The Right Study Location

Find a distraction-free zone – whether that’s a quiet corner somewhere in the University Centre building, a local library or your bedroom. Focus on somewhere you feel comfortable, but also have access to everything you need, like books, plugs for laptops and a good chair.

4. Try Handwriting Your Notes

Handwriting helps your brain to better understand the topic you’re writing about. This is because it takes longer than typing, giving your mind more time to process and absorb the information you’re writing down.

5. Prioritise Rest and Wellbeing

Everyone has a late night here and there, but try to make sure you get between seven to eight hours of sleep per night to help with brain function. The same goes for healthy eating to provide your body and brain with all the nutrients it needs to perform to the best of its ability. Of course, you’ve also got to relax and have a treat every now and then as well!

So as you step into the new academic year, remember that success at university isn’t about doing everything perfectly from the start, it’s all about learning! Whether that’s learning from past experiences, discovering new study tips, creating a study group with friends, or simply giving yourself time to rest, every small step adds up. Take this year in your stride, keep moving forward, and don’t forget – support is always here when you need it.