Looking after your mind: Managing study
Source: Managing study, Beyond Blue (2017)
Managing study
To study effectively:
- Get in the zone: create a distraction free study space;
- Break it down: define tasks within manageable units with individual completion deadlines;
- Treat yourself: reward yourself with a preconceived reward on completion of each task;
- Chill out: include regular short breaks in your schedule;
- Get together: stay accountable with a study buddy or study group.
Stay away from social media
Students who use social media while studying (even if only in the background) get 20% lower marks than those who don’t! (Beyond Blue, 2017). Turn your phone off while studying (or set to mute).
If you find you can't stay away, there are some software solutions that help by temporarily blocking you from social media sites, addictive websites and games. Try:
- SelfControl for Macs
SelfControl is a free and open-source application for Mac OS X that lets you block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet.
- Cold Turkey for PCs
Cold Turkey lets you temporarily block internet distractions so you can focus and finish your work sooner. Fewer distractions, more free time.
Active study techniques
Active study techniques enable you to better understand and remember your course contents by requiring you to interact with and manipulate words, symbols and ideas. Here are some examples to apply during your study sessions:
- Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University has matched active study techniques with the passive techniques more commonly used and highlighted active study techniques suitable for specific review materials.
- James Cook University
James Cook University has listed active study techniques suited for each of the main learning styles: auditory, visual and tactile.
- Oregon State University
Oregon State University has listed several types of initial learning situations and linked them with appropriate active study techniques for revision.
Study break activities
Your ability to maintain focus and attention can be improved by taking a break from studying every 90 minutes or so. In order to return to your study refreshed and focused you need to choose the right kind of break activity. These websites have a number of break examples:
Exercise
Benefits of including exercise in your study routine include increased cognitive function, memory and recall. Here are some easy to incorporate exercises. You could even use some of them as your study break activities.
- Five Study Break Exercises to Move Your Body and Stimulate Your Mind
Five exercises that can be done at your study desk.
