The Iglu Guide | Blog
The art of productive studying and how to maximise your efficiency
Has anyone has ever told you to ‘Study smarter, not harder’? The idea of getting more done in less time has some pretty big student appeal, because it means you can hit your academic goals without sacrificing your personal wellbeing. And every student also knows, that the way to get there is through productive study habits. Without this discipline in place, it can be hard to maintain motivation and purpose – which often leads to disappointing grades and high stress levels. Getting the most out of your study sessions is all about developing a daily routine that aligns perfectly with your educational goals. But maximising your efficiency is not a one-size-fits-all process and what works well for one student may not suit another. To get what you need to take you where you want to go, here’s 7 ways to maximise your study productivity – the secret ingredient to academic success.
1. Prioritise your time
Taking charge of your time is key to getting the most out of your study periods – and that means getting organised. The typical student schedule is unpredictable and can change from one week to the next, with extra curriculars, job shifts and social demands creating an ever changing landscape. It’s a puzzle that needs constant rearranging. But with a little time and attention you can protect yourself from the anxiety and stress of all that last minute cramming, safe in the knowledge that you have it all under control. And by allocating your time appropriately, every study session is worth its weight in gold because you’ll know exactly what you’re doing, and when you’re doing it.
• Prioritise your tasks to maximise efficiency
• Create a study roadmap and set realistic goals and deadlines
• Swap out sticky notes and post it notes for organisational tools such as planners, calendars, and apps to organise your study schedules
• Experiment with new time management strategies that keep you on the clock such as the Pomodoro Technique
2. Create an optimal study environment
Where you choose to open up your books has a huge impact on your state of mind, and therefore your academic output. If you’re lying around studying on your bed, your application will be less productive than if you sit up at a desk.
- Dedicate an area of your room as a study space, free from clutter and distractions
- Personalise your space for productivity – think about lighting and comfort, and ensure you have an ergonomic setup as you will spend many hours in this position
- Take regular breaks to recharge your attention levels, and ensure you change location
- Remove any clutter from your study space – a cluttered study area leads to a cluttered mind
3. Discover your learning style
Understanding your personal learning style can greatly improve productivity, and ensure you maximise your study periods. If traditional methods don’t seem to work so well, it might be you just haven’t found what works for you as an individual. Visual learners benefit from diagrams and charts, auditory learners prefer to absorb knowledge through listening and discussion, and kinaesthetic learners get the most out of hands-on activities with that physical touch. Some students may find simply reading and writing notes to be the most effective.
- Experiment with different learning styles to understand which study strategy will work best for you
- Implementing your preferred learning styles will help aid retention, increase confidence, and improve your performance on exam day
- Finding a study buddy or joining a study group can be a great way to reinforce learning
- Attempting your most challenging tasks when your energy levels are at their highest is good advice for all learning styles
4. Engage with your learning
Gone are the days when students would passively sit at the back of the lecture theatre and let the words wash over them, just scribbling the odd note here and there. Today, students can access vast amounts of knowledge at the click of a mouse, and have the opportunity to genuinely interact with learning materials and really question what’s put in front of them. There has never been more ways to actively engage with your subject, making each study session more productive than ever, reinforcing your learning along the way.
- Summarise, annotate and question resources
- Incorporate techniques such as mind mapping, flash cards, spaced repetition, and blurting for a variety of learning benefits
- Use group study discussions to field diverse perspectives and niche angles – this also helps clarify your own thought processes and adds accountability
- Make use of exam preparation techniques – engage with practise tests and question analysis
5. Leverage technology
The digital world offers unparalleled benefits when it comes to optimising your study time. With a wealth of information and resources at your fingertips, it has never been easier to deepen your understanding of a particular topic, explore additional materials or stay updated with the latest information.
- Use digital apps to personalise your learning experience by selecting the ones that work best for you
- Discover the vast array of study tools that can fast track your learning productivity such as flashcard apps, quizzes, digital planners, online study groups, e-books, online libraries, resources and more
- Collaborate and exchange ideas from wherever you are in the world, with tools such as Zoom and Google Docs
- Study anytime, anywhere – whether it’s your bedroom or the bus
- Improve your digital literacy by engaging with new tools and increase your employability factor
6. Manage distractions
No student is immune to distractions, and it takes immense discipline and a certain amount of self-knowledge to address the problem. Procrastination is a huge offender when it comes to avoiding the study schedule, and it’s something we are all guilty of in different ways. Whatever your distractions may be, finding a way to manage them is key to maximising productivity.
- Identifying distractions is the first step – identify what is preventing you from productive study
- Think about your procrastination triggers – and potential solutions. For example, it might be helpful to separate yourself from your phone when studying to eliminate the temptation
- Try an app like Forest which blocks access to social media – and plants a tree in your phone!
- Build new habits that help maintain focus during study sessions
7. Protect your health and wellbeing
Productive study habits should never come at the cost of your personal wellbeing, and it’s importance to always strike a balance between the two. By investing in your physical and mental health, you will naturally optimise your academic performance.
- Ensure you get enough sleep – this is when your body has the time to process all that new information and get you recharged for a new day
- Balance your study schedule with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Even if it’s just a daily walk, your body and mind will thank you for it
- Avoid those sugary snacks, and try and reach for the healthy options instead such as concentration-boosting fruit and nuts
- Take regular breaks to switch up your environment and reduce the risk of burnout
- Practise some relaxation and mindfulness techniques. As well as reducing stress, they will enhance your concentration
