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  4. 5 Tips On How To Study Smarter, Not Harder

Published 30 Apr 2019

5 Tips On How To Study Smarter, Not Harder

Claudia Reiners

Trying to balance studying full time, working and attempting to fit in having some sense of
social life is incredibly overwhelming at times.

But do not fear, because we are here to give you tips on how to study that will mean less working and more time for the things you actually enjoy!

  • Keep An Updated Calendar In A Place You Can See It Every Day

    At the start of each semester write down when all of your assessments and exam dates along with your work schedule and any important events that you don’t want to miss. This is a great way to stay on top of the semester and allows you to plan ahead so if you know that you’re busy, you can get assignments done early.

  • Recruit Your Friends For Help

    If you’re struggling with a particular subject, ask your friends to see if they have already done the class or one similar. Or better yet, make some new friends in your class and start a study group so you can help each other out with assignments and studying for exams! Studying with friends is a great way to retain the information you are trying to remember! Studies have shown that laughing activates the brain’s dopamine reward system, stimulating goal-orientated motivation and long-term memory. Basically, this means, the more you laugh, the more you learn!

  • Sleep and Eat a Balanced Diet

    This tip can’t be stressed enough! Sleep is proven to consolidated your memories which means that you need a full night’s rest to remember what you are trying so hard to learn! Similarly, it’s easy to stress eat and reach for food that is quick to make or buy. However, it is so incredibly important for physical and mental health to eat a balanced diet!

  • Set Yourself Targets

    Set yourself a target for how much work needs to be done before the due date by breaking down the assignment into smaller chunks. For example, If you know a 1000 word essay is due in four days, then you know that you have to write 250 words every day and then also give yourself some time to edit and submit. Breaking down assignments into smaller chunks is a great way to make them seem less daunting and overwhelming.

  • Treat Yo’self!

    This is my favourite part of studying, taking breaks and rewarding yourself for working hard! Having something to look forward to when you’re studying or doing assignments is a great motivator to getting work done quicker. Take a break and watch an episode of The Office after every 200 words. Go sit outside and get some fresh air after studying a topic. Do anything that gives your mind a break and so can come back feeling refreshed and ready to keep working. At the end of the semester, organise a fun date with your friends or partner to celebrate finishing and putting in all your hard work, you deserve it!

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Claudia Reiners
Claudia Reiners

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