The semester has just started, and classes are starting to get more arduous; you feel like you have to study large amounts of information in a short time and you can’t get everything inside your head.
If you are stuck in this situation and want to overcome it, you must first learn that adapting to a different study method is the better option than wasting precious study hours doing something that doesn’t work effectively.
The following are three methods that help students to study and perform better, accompanied with advice from Utah Tech University faculty.
The SQ3R Method
SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. For his method, you have to survey the information in the book while taking notes on the important parts. Then, question the content that you just read.
If you know how to form good questions, you should get your answers by simply reading the chapter. Once you get the answers, recite what you finished reading in your own words and see if you can answer your questions with that new rephrasing.
Finally, review the chapter so that you fully understand it and quiz yourself on parts that you struggle with.
The Feynman Technique
The main idea behind the Feynman Technique is to understand the content you are studying by trying to explain it simply. That way, you are required to learn the material, to be able to present everything in a simple way. Once you have done so, review everything, search for those parts that you struggle to understand and simplify any complicated terms. If you have done this right, then someone without the same academic background as you should be able to comprehend the material you are presenting.
Color-coded notes
Color-coding notes is commonly used to study by highlighting the content that is considered important with various colors. It may sound simple, but this method is more useful than people believe.
The reason why people color-code their notes is that people find it easier to recall information by associating a color with a certain piece of information.
Bright colors like yellow or red have been scientifically proven to be positive for learning and remembering information, since we always associate those colors with messages that are important, like a stop sign.
What does faculty recommend?
Writing Center co-coordinators, Madison Foster, a senior dental hygiene major from Prescott, Arizona, and Chasta Martin, a senior English major from St. George, gave their advice on studying.
To prepare for large exams or projects, Martin said time management is an important factor.
She said that saving time for mental breaks is essential. However, you should avoid activities that make you procrastinate your large projects.
For example, if you write a paper, she suggests planning out how many pages you’ll write in so many days. This will ease students’ burdens of writing a 10-page paper in one day.
Best study methods for different types of degrees
There are cases where some methods work more efficiently than others. Foster listed them as follows:
- Math-based programs are best supported through repeated practice with problem sets and sample exams.
- Degrees that require hands-on work, such as healthcare, engineering and the fine arts, are strengthened by reviewing demonstrations or instructional videos before attempting the tasks independently.
- Writing-intensive fields, including English and other humanities degrees, benefit from outlining, drafting and revising work before submission.
How to succeed with a new study method
You now have the keys to improve your studying and make it more efficient. However, the commitment to these methods sometimes fail. Martin gave her opinion on why this happens and how to stay consistent.
“Procrastination reduces the effectiveness of even the best study strategies because students do not give themselves adequate time to learn,” Martin said.
Martin said students can avoid this by breaking assignments or exam preparation into smaller tasks and beginning as soon as the work is assigned. Distractions, such as cell phones or multitasking, also prevent students from studying effectively.
“Establishing a designated study environment, blocking off specific study times, and removing distractions from easy reach can significantly improve focus and make study methods more successful,” she said.
What do students recommend?
James Saley, a sophomore mechatronics major from Salt Lake City, said that making friends in all of your classes not only makes the classes more enjoyable, but also gives you someone to turn to with your questions.
“As a student in an engineering field, it can be difficult to fully grasp so many different concepts from so many different classes. For me, it makes it easier to understand the material if you have others to discuss it with,” Saley said.
Additional resources
For additional help, check out the following locations on campus:
