Set up a suitable study spot
Where you study will have a huge bearing on your ability to optimize your time. Find a place that’s conducive to learning and encourages you to focus on the task at hand, free from potential distractions. That’s not to say that you can’t mix it up at times; in fact, working in different places is often beneficial. But setting up a study space at home that is comfortable, distraction-free and has everything you need for your revision is a great way to ensure you can get the most out of your study hours.
Comfort is key for a private study space. That doesn’t mean laying on your bed or sprawled across your sofa, either – make sure you have a suitable desk, chair and any other equipment that will promote good posture and provide the support you need to keep you focused on your learning. If you find it more motivating to study in a public place, look to use your school or university’s facilities when available, or your local library, where you’ll generally find a quiet place to focus.
Ideally, you’ll be able to experiment with different study spots throughout the year, so you aren’t still scrambling to find somewhere suitable once exam season arrives.
Experiment with tried and tested techniques
The best way for you to study will depend on your personal preferences. We all have our own preferred ways of working, meaning a study technique that’s right for your friend may not work for you. That’s why it’s important to experiment with different methods of learning and absorbing information. These techniques typically fall into two different categories: learning styles and time management.
Learning styles
There are four core strategies within the VARK learning styles model: visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic. You’ll probably already have a good idea of what works for you and what doesn’t, but understanding the technique(s) that suits you best will help you to optimize your study time by focusing on a way of learning that aligns with your strengths.
If you like aspects from different categories, you may be what’s known as a multimodal learner. Taking several things from each category can work for lots of people, so don’t feel like you need to pigeonhole yourself into a certain style.
Again, this is something you should perfect and work out over the course of your studies. That way, by the time your exams and deadlines are approaching, you’ll be able to spend your time working in a way that’s most useful to you.
Time management
Especially when you’re having to juggle multiple deadlines in different modules or subjects, time management is one of the keys to effective studying. There are several tried and tested techniques that students can use to help manage their time and workload, and yield more positive outcomes.
This method will be particularly useful for anyone who gets easily distracted for long periods of time, or those who overwork themselves beyond the levels of optimal productivity. Before starting your first 25-minute period, make sure you know exactly which task you’ll be focusing on – it might be helpful to set out a to-do list that you can work your way through – so you don’t waste time during a study block.
This principle can be applied to both the aforementioned learning strategies and the specific course content. Trying to study using a learning approach that’s not conducive to your strengths will see you spending hours buried in your books without making much progress at all. Similarly, focusing too much of your time on the ‘fluffy’ content that doesn’t address the crux of the subject won’t yield optimum results come exam time. If you’re wondering how to study smarter, not harder, the Pareto Principle could be the answer.
This approach won’t work for everyone, since the fake sense of urgency may not act as a motivating factor. But if you can hold yourself accountable to the amount of time you spend on each task, you may find you’re able to get through a bigger workload without leaving things to the last minute.
Break up your subjects and prioritize those that might need more attention, and make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with too much to do in too short a time. Remember, your plan can always change to align with your needs as you progress through your workload, but laying out a rough timetable can be a great way to stay on track and optimize your time.
Look after yourself
Exam season can be extremely taxing on your physical and mental health, and your focus on learning can sometimes get in the way of managing your own personal wellbeing. Failing to look after your health during this time can not only have long-lasting effects on your wellbeing, but it could also be detrimental to your academic performance.
One of the most important things to focus on – especially during exam season – is your sleep routine. Good sleep health supports so many aspects of our physical and mental wellbeing, and getting the most from your downtime will help you to optimize your study. As much as possible, try to create a peaceful bedroom environment that’s conducive to a good night’s sleep. Things to keep in mind include light levels, temperature, digital distractions and noise levels. Optimizing these things will be a good first step to creating a healthier nighttime routine.
Equally important is maintaining some sort of exercise regime – healthy distractions in between your working hours are beneficial all round. Especially when you’re sitting at a desk for long periods of time, it’s important to break up your day with some physical activity. Find a hobby you enjoy doing and factor it into your routine; this will help to give your mind a break and reduce the risk of illness.
As important as it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle as best you can, for the sake of your mental health, don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go perfectly. It’s an incredibly difficult thing to manage deadlines, responsibilities and general life admin while studying, and some days are bound to feel more productive than others.
Don’t put yourself under any additional pressure by giving yourself a hard time if you didn’t make it to the gym one day or you didn’t quite manage to eat your 5 a day. Putting unnecessary strain on your wellbeing can negatively impact your studies, so give yourself a break day to day.
Find your own way
As exam season edges ever closer, your time becomes increasingly precious and you’ll want to make sure you’re doing all you can to optimize the time you spend studying. Managing your schedule effectively is one of the keys to being successful in your exams or assignments, so how can you optimize your working hours to get the most out of your revision time?
No two students work in exactly the same way – different time management techniques and methods of revision will work better for some than others. With this guide, you’ll be able to start experimenting with varying approaches to find something that suits you.
