Work Smarter, Not Harder

Creating better study habits requires a plan, some discipline and maybe help from a friend.

BY DELANEY AKRIDGE

It can be extremely frustrating to pour a great deal of time, effort, and energy into studying and not get the desired results. We’ve all been there, right? Whether it be for an algebra quiz, road test to get a driver’s license, applying for a higher degree at a university…. leaving a testing site with an uneasy feeling is never an enjoyable experience. At such times, it’s not unusual to begin to question oneself, asking what are the things I’m doing wrong? Am I not smart enough? How did everyone else do?

If you or your student do have these kinds of questions, rest assured, they are not alone. This is especially true for students trying to adjust to college or a new school setting. Teachers, academic counselors and online education sites can offer a litany of better studying tips and habits to embrace. Most are fairly commonsense ideas. The trick to making them successful is employing them in a consistent manner, and then sticking with it over the course of a year.

For example, have you ever practiced writing the same sentence over and over? Studies show the typical person remembers 10% of what is heard, 20% of what is read, and 80% of what is seen. Writing notes, facts, math formulas—really anything—by hand is a powerful way to commit that information to memory.

Also, when studying literature or history, use your own words to synthesize ideas and bigger concepts. Draw connections between related points, expand on a concept, or make comparisons between two characters. And, for math and science, practice repeating the same equations until they become second-nature.

Something as simple as a daily planner is one of the most helpful ways to stay intentional with assignments, upcoming exams and study habits. By writing down all of your assignment due dates, for instance, you have created a way of organizing your schedule and maximizing efficiency. Once something is penciled onto your plan, stick to it and review it regularly. “What many students don’t know to do is review the notes they’ve already taken,” says UNF professor of history Caroline

Sistare. “They have to learn to do work that doesn’t have a grade attached to it.”

Of course, doing the “work” includes studying the expected materials—and not just the day before a test. Repeated studies have shown that cramming in hours of material the night before a test is ineffective. An all-night study session may help in refreshing some information that was shared weeks before. However, one’s brain can readily retain only so many facts and figures for a short time before it is dumped into a mental landfill. Rather than trying to learn an entire book or semester in one sitting, try breaking up the material into sections.

The Pomodoro technique, for example, is a highly effective way to manage one’s time and better work without distractions. First, identify the tasks you want to complete and set a timer for 25 minutes. Work with no distractions until the 25 minutes are up and then take a five-minute break. Then work for another 25 minutes and repeat the process three more times before taking a 30-minute break. The technique improves concentration and makes study time more manageable. Again, the idea is to spread the time and material over more mentally digestible bites.

If one believes time management is not an issue, perhaps the location in which the studying is taking place is due for a change. Oftentimes, problems associated with retention have to do with an improper setting—such as college library full of students socializing rather than reading, a favorite coffee shop that is flush with sensory distractions, or your boyfriend’s house. Switch it up. Someplace quiet is always a good idea.

If you’re more of a homebody, consider studying in a different room. Instead of working at your desk, try the dining room table. A change of scenery can be good for the mind. And if the weather is nice, take your work outdoors. Just 30 minutes of sunshine can improve your mood and reduce stress. Finding a good study partner can provide benefits, too.

As humans, we’re wired for connection. You might have the perfect lo-fi study playlist, but lack the motivation to get started. So, this may be the ideal time to reach out to a classmate for a study session. Together, you can collaborate on notes, share ideas, and perhaps make a new friend in the process. “Finding a study group to go over notes and work on practice problems is what I recommend to my students,” says Dr. Brooke Sanford, a mechanical engineering professor at UNF.

Many schools help facilitate study groups that meet weekly, providing a time to share ideas and explore topics in greater depth. These kinds of groups are typically led by a teacher or a tutor, so participants have the added benefit of learning from someone with more experience.

So, before finding the appropriately quiet location, laying out your books, and setting a timer, take some time to reflect. Are you more productive in the morning, or do you consider yourself more of a night owl? Do you find that you get a lot of work done when you’re alone, or do you need someone to work alongside you? Answering these questions honestly will ultimately set yourself up for more success. After all, no one knows you better than you. u