Effective study skills for university students

By Fung Lan Yong

Only very few university students can waltz through four years of undergraduate studies without
any appropriate study skills; hence, the vast majority have to inculcate and demonstrate effective
study skills in order to graduate according to schedule. Furthermore, many students drop out
during their freshman or sophomore year because of academic failure that is mainly the
consequence of counter-productive study skills. Nevertheless, students who have not done well at
the beginning should persist and strive to develop positive study habits in order to raise their
grades and boost their learning self-concepts. Equipped with good study skills, they will perform
much more systematically than before, resulting in improved knowledge assimilation and renewed
confidence. There are several study skills that university students should acquire not only to fulfil
their academic endeavours, but also to make their university experience more meaningful and
satisfying.

Schedule more manageable, study sessions:

Since cramming is highly stressful and self-defeating, university students should avoid burning the
candle at both ends just before a test or examination. Burning the midnight oil is usually
accompanied by anxiety and a sense of urgency, making it difficult to transfer information into
long-term memory. Moreover, it may cause giddiness and disorientation, making it impossible to
concentrate or retrieve information. This vicious cycle can only be broken by studying over shorter
periods of time and having more revision sessions. Therefore, to enhance their academic
performance and stay alert, university students should avoid studying at the eleven hour and
revise consistently by implementing regular, but more manageable, study sessions.

Cramming can be further avoided by designing a study plan right at the beginning of every
semester and follow it without fail. Studying becomes more tolerable by scheduling specific times
throughout the week to allocate sufficient study time for each course, with more time devoted to
the more challenging courses. University students who maintain a proper schedule will be able to
concentrate better and feel more relaxed than those with a haphazard study routine marked by
their own whims and fancies.

Consider physical learning style preferences:

While planning their schedule, university students should consider their physical learning style
preferences by determining when they can concentrate better as well as following a consistent,
daily study routine. Studying becomes a normal part of life for those who study or do assignments
at fixed times each day and week, for instance, they can study biology in the late morning every
Tuesday and psychology in the late afternoon every Wednesday. Having specific study times
allows students to become physically, mentally, and psychologically more ready for each study
session, resulting in greater productivity and sense of achievement. This in turn will motivate them
to regard studying as second nature rather than sporadic torture that yields disastrous results.

Formulate specific goals and objectives:

While it is commendable to assign significantly more time to acquiring useful knowledge on
weekends rather than having fun with peers, university students should also formulate specific
goals and objectives for each study session. Studying blindly without any proper direction will
make them feel overwhelmed and confused, leading to test anxiety and academic
underperformance. Before starting, they should ensure that the session will enable them to
achieve a certain objective that maps with their overall academic goal; for instance, they may
memorize 40 definitions during a particular study session in order to ace the multiple-choice
section of the upcoming psychology mid semester exam or summarize at least three paragraphs
for a final project due at the end of the semester.

Avoid procrastination:
Although many university students know the cliché that procrastination is a thief of time, they still
postpone their study sessions for the sake of doing something more fun and exciting than hitting
the books. It is tempting to procrastinate especially when the course appears boring or the
assignment is painfully tedious. Procrastinators usually find themselves cramming the night
before an exam or producing a paper replete with errors as they are rushing to get the tasks done
and over with. Moreover, rushing from one academic task to another often results in incomplete or
superficial work, affirming that time constraint is a procrastinator’s ultimate nightmare.

Focus on the most difficult courses first:

An effective way to cope with time constraint is by focusing on the most difficult courses first since
they require not only more time, but also greater effort, to master. Once the most challenging
work is accomplished, the rest will appear to be relatively easy. Completing the most difficult task
first helps remove the source of stress and tension before it begins to impact on the easier
courses or tasks. It also brings a great sense of relief that in turn promotes learning motivation and
increases the overall effectiveness of the study sessions.

Review lecture notes constantly:

Furthermore, university students should always spend some time reviewing their lecture notes
before starting an assignment because they usually contain guidelines, marking rubrics, and
deadlines that ensure that the correct format is used. They also provide the specific requirements
that need to be fulfilled before submission. Since notes play an important role in the successful
completion of assignments, university students should always practise active listening and apply
effective note taking techniques in class.

Create a comfortable studying environment:

Besides having good notes, university students should have a comfortable and quiet studying
environment, free from distractions. Some university students prefer to study at the library while
others concentrate better in the privacy of their own room. Before studying, they should switch off
their smartphones or hang a ‘silence’ sign on the door. In short, university students need a
peaceful study environment in order to maintain their train of thought and stay calm and relaxed
while trying to absorb complex information or solve complicated problems.

Join well-organized study groups:

Many university students prefer to study in well-organized and adequately prepared groups rather
than struggling alone as they feel more motivated and less burdensome when they are with peers
who are experiencing similar levels of stress and tension. Further, working in groups allows
university students to help one another to grasp new or difficult concepts and complete
assignments more effectively. Moreover, helping others to master something not only allows one
to internalize the subject matter, but also to develop effective interpersonal skills and positive self-
esteem.

Finally, university students should review their notes, tutorials, and other lecture materials over the
weekend so that they can retrieve the information when needed. Reviewing also allows them to
commit old concepts to memory while getting ready to learn new concepts in the following week.

Practise effective time management:

Besides setting realistic expectations at the beginning of each semester, university students
should have a calendar that will help them manage their study time on a daily, weekly, and
semester basis. First, they should prepare a calendar that covers the entire semester once it
starts, including assignment due dates and test dates. Second, they should prepare a weekly
schedule on every Sunday and update it as the week progresses, clearly indicating the day and
time for assignment submission, tests, group studying, or projects. Finally, they should also
prepare a daily schedule every evening in order to keep abreast on the things to do on the
following day.
Practise effective note taking:
University students should practice effective note taking as it is one of the keys for academic
achievement. Since they constantly need to review classroom lectures, effective note taking
makes it easier for them to retrieve specific details of each lecture. Jotting down clear and
accurate notes also enables them to fully grasp the key concepts. As many topics are often
covered in one class session, precise and thorough notes allow them to focus on the more specific
topics. They can also compare their notes with others after class which ensures that all the
important details have been included.

To take good notes, university students should minimize classroom distractions by sitting in front
of the class, avoiding disruptive friends, and ignoring the slow-moving clock. Further, they should
use abbreviations and symbols as spelling everything out will slow them down, resulting in
omissions. After class, they should arrange their notes according to the course and date by using
an organizer such as colour dividers. To retain information better, university students should
review their notes immediately after class, which encourages them to apply, synthesize, and
evaluate information. While reviewing, they should also jot down questions for further clarification
during the following lecture.

Develop effective listening skills:

University student should become attentive listeners since active listening enables them to
harness their mental faculties to process information. Effective listening skills are important for
university students as they spend much of their time attending lectures and listening to others’
views. They should not only pay attention to words, but should also focus on the intended
message of the words. To decipher a message properly, they must first determine the central idea
and then pay close attention to the anecdotes, explanations, and other details used to elaborate it.

University students should strive to develop the ability to concentrate for longer periods of time as
a single lecture may last for three hours. They should tune out personal issues, friends, or
upcoming events in order to pay undivided attention. Further, they must complete all the required
readings or review their notes before stepping into the classroom so that it is easier for them to
process novel information and listen attentively in class. University students should concentrate
not only on the central ideas and key concepts, but should also reflect on their implications.
Finally, they should never tune out lectures due to boredom or disinterest since showing greater
interest in the subject matter will allow them to process the information more effectively.

Develop effective memory skills:

Besides active listening, university students should improve their memory since ability to retain
information has a direct impact on their test performance. Remembering what they have acquired
at university also enables them to apply, synthesize, and evaluate information when they enter the
job market. There are several ways that university students can use to improve their memory.
First, they should make new information meaningful by summarizing it in their own words, which in
turn helps them internalize difficult concepts. Second, they should organize new information
systematically, as it allows them to conceptualize things by associating them with specific
subheadings or categories. Third, they can use visualization by creating mental images that help
imprint the abstract or complex details in their mind.

Fourth, university students should practise active studying in order to remember information better;
further, it encourages them to engage in higher levels of thinking, such analysing, synthesizing, or
evaluating the material that they are studying. Fifth, university students can use mnemonics to
remember information by linking abstract concepts with short phrases, rhyming words, or familiar
objects. Finally, reviewing notes immediately after lectures and highlighting information that may
be tested on during revision help transfer information into long-term memory.

Develop effective test taking skills:

Besides having effective listening and memory skills, university students must overcome test
anxiety in order to perform well. Although minor test taking anxiety often motivates university
students to work harder, high anxiety often makes it difficult for them to concentrate before and
during a test. One of the best ways to overcome test anxiety is by focusing on all the concepts
that have been emphasized in class as it will boost retention and confidence.

First, university students should devote sufficient time and energy to focus and internalize the
information that will be tested on; hence, they should avoid cramming as it tends to increase test
anxiety. Second, they should exercise regularly as it not only helps to relieve stress and tension,
but also promotes a sense of wellbeing that is essential for academic success. Third, they should
have enough sleep as it prevents fatigue and reduce test anxiety. Finally, university students
should persist if they did not perform up to their expectations on a test. They should take it as a
learning experience that allows them to make the necessary changes in order to do better in
future.
University students should strive to develop the ability to concentrate for longer periods of
time as a single lecture may last for three hours
Working in groups allows university students to help one another to grasp new or difficult
concepts and complete assignments more effectively.

University students should not only pay attention to words, but also should focus on the
intended message of the words.