Of all the challenges that college students encounter, learning how to study effectively is close to the top.
In high school, you’re in classes for six hours a day, and the content is less complex, making studying less of a necessity. However, in college, the expectations and stakes are higher; it’s up to you to further your education. While many professors are incredibly kind, they won’t be emailing home to ensure you’re keeping up with a project.
First off, I swear by the Pomodoro Timer. Every time I pull up this website, I know I’m going to be productive.
Essentially, you work for a set amount of time and take short breaks between work sessions.
After four work sessions, you take a longer break of 15 minutes. The default is 25 minutes with five minute breaks, but the amount of time is customizable. In fact, the entire website is customizable, down to the alarm sound.
If you are neurodivergent, this method might be especially beneficial for you. For example, individuals with ADHD may struggle with time blindness, which is a difficulty of accurately tracking time. The structure helps to make an overwhelming task a manageable one.
Furthermore, built in breaks increase information retention and provide much-needed dopamine, which is a “feel-good” chemical in the brain that releases when you accomplish something. Those with ADHD struggle with establishing consistent behaviors and habit building because their brains literally don’t release dopamine when it’s supposed to.
Next, information retention is key to being an effective student. What’s the point of reading the textbook if you don’t understand it?
One thing that goes hand in hand with information retention is a multi-sensory approach. The more senses you engage, the better!
For example, when studying with flashcards, don’t just read the word in your head, say it out loud or if you’re someone who learns best with movement, create a motion that represents the term.
The science behind this hack is that when learning something new, your brain forms connections between neurons that “remap” the brain. You’re more likely to remember the information if you have a variety of associations relating to it.
Furthermore, have you ever tried to study in an environment where the music is too loud, the seats aren’t comfortable or your surroundings are generally distracting? If so, you’d know that trying to study in these conditions only leads to frustration.
Your environment can make all the difference between a great study sesh and an infuriating one.
That’s why it’s so important to find a reliable study spot. Though, this takes some prep work.
Some questions to ask yourself before searching for the perfect place to study are:
- What will be a distraction for you?
- What kind of ambient sound do you like to listen to when studying, if any?
- What characteristics are a must for the room you study in? For example, temperature, type of lighting, chair options, etc.
- How much privacy is desired?Do you study better alone or with company?
While studying can be a hard skill to master, the only way to improve is with practice. Make sure not to shy away from experimenting with what works best for you. Good luck with your studying journey.
