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5 study tips and techniques to try.
Learn how to prepare for your next exam with these helpful study tips.
While students are still hitting the textbooks, as they have for centuries, many other aspects have changed in how learners like you approach your studies. With advances in technology both inside and outside of the classroom, studying and preparing for exams have evolved from an independent practice to one supported by web-based resources and student collaboration.
As a student, you have more opportunities than ever before to expand your knowledge and better prepare yourself for critical evaluations in the classroom, thanks to new ways of learning and communicating.
5 study tips for today’s students.
Everyone’s learning style and experience will be unique to their own needs. However, you can use several study techniques to help you master new material and reinforce knowledge to help prepare for exams and evaluations. By implementing a few of these study tips, you can better organize and educate yourself while creating habits that can help you throughout your academic career and professional life.
1. Manage time wisely.
Focusing and dedicating blocks of time to studying can be a challenge while managing complex schedules and personal responsibilities. However, investing in time management techniques (and even software) can help prevent falling behind or stressful cramming sessions before tests.
Consider using dedicated time management tools to help keep your priorities clear and optimize downtime. While incorporating time for friends, family, and personal interests is important, a lot of time can be wasted if not set aside with intention. By putting everything on a calendar or in a planning tool, you can be sure to set aside time for studying as well as entertainment and relaxation. Time management may be one of the most important study tips for college students as you find yourself balancing new schedules and more free time than seen by high school students.
2. Make use of technology.
You can use the latest technology to amplify your study habits and streamline efforts. Creating flashcards or keeping track of class notes in the cloud can make them accessible anywhere, enabling you to study more efficiently without carrying around physical media.
Interacting with documents can also streamline note-taking and summary development, helping you get to the core of what is being taught. Ideas include using AI to summarize files and learning how to ask AI the right questions to get the best results for efficient studying. PDF readers with AI technology can also help you learn in real time with question-answer capabilities and tools such as built-in dictionaries.
As another useful study tip, collaborating with others can be enhanced through technology. Use video conferencing tools, email, and social media to reach out to other students and create or host study groups. During these sessions, you can share files digitally and work together on projects hosted in cloud-based workspaces.
3. Take detailed notes.
Concepts may make sense during live class sessions, but recalling the added content an instructor brings to a lecture beyond the textbook can be hard to do later on. Instead, even students with the best memories should take advantage of detailed note-taking. Jotting down the main elements of a lecture or classroom session can help you retain information and create a resource for reference when studying for a later exam.
Whether writing by hand or typing up content, the best approaches include using abbreviations so that you can spend more time paying attention and less time trying to capture every word said by a teacher. Bullet points and organizing by topic or keyword can make it easier to scan through notes later. Color coding or underlining can also be a great way to call attention to essential facts or figures for later reference during study time.
4. Choose a method.
Aside from the traditional approach of repetition and memorization, different studying techniques can optimize your learning process. Taking the time to review the available options and choose the one that is the best fit can be a game changer as you hit the books.
Here are the most popular methods and how they can apply to study habits:
- Mind maps. Align similar terms and concepts based on common characteristics and definitions. Place the main topic at the center of the picture, and then add keywords or images with lines going to related concepts. The goal is to help the mind create associations that last for long-term retention.
- Outlining. Use a hierarchy system for note-taking. Place main topics at the highest level of the outline, followed by subsequent levels of additional detail. The goal is to group similar content with the most important content toward the top to help retain nested information more easily.
- SQ3R. Improve content retention and study new material more efficiently using a five-step process: survey, ask, read, recite, and review. First, survey the information and take note of key headings and major themes. Then, ask critical questions about the content to determine any knowledge gaps. Finally, take the time to read, recite, and review unfamiliar material to reinforce learning.
- Leitner System. Use traditional flashcards and prioritize concepts that need to be revisited the most. Review flashcards using different piles or boxes and then place each card into a different sorting mechanism through self-assessment of the material. Then, return to the flashcards that require additional review and mastery.
- 1-2-3 method. Divide your study habits into a three-step approach. Choose a single topic and spend a dedicated amount of time on day one studying and learning new material. Then, review the material covered on day one during dedicated study time on days two and three. From there, step away from the material for a short period (often at least a week) and then return to it later to determine how much information has been retained.
- 2357 method. Practice spaced repetition to reinforce content and engage memory. On day one, review and revise your notes on a particular topic to familiarize yourself with the material. Then, revisit these notes and read over them on days two, three, five, and seven, further revising them as needed to reinforce key concepts. The goal is to commit the information to memory by the end of the cycle.
- 15/30/15 (or Pomodoro) method. Break studying into smaller sessions to help prevent burnout. The first session should be 15 minutes dedicated to reviewing notes, typically earlier in the day. The second session includes studying new material related to the topic and adding to the reviewed information. The third session is another 15-minute period reviewing all of the content from the day to reinforce what was learned and stack information in memory.
5. Use the buddy system.
Learning may seem like a primarily individual process, but you don’t need to do it alone. Working in study groups can be a productive way to engage with learning material. To work with others when studying, meet in a distraction-free environment and agree on the topics and schedule to follow. During study sessions, everyone should take turns asking questions, reading material, and quizzing one another.
Remember that technology can be a great way to enhance learning in groups. Consider using collaborative software and digital note-taking apps to easily share content with learners. Group study can happen virtually through conferencing software, which can also record sessions for later reference.
The changing face of student study habits.
Technology can be an advantage for enhancing your study skills, but it can also be a hindrance. Digital tools dedicated to helping students master their materials can help with everything from staying organized to accessing content anytime, anywhere. Yet increasing amounts of screen time can also reflect tendencies for distraction and draw you away from your studies and non-academic use of computers and mobile devices.
Technology can help you in several ways as you look to enhance your study techniques. The rise in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and tools has helped revolutionize access to information and provide spaces for interactive learning experiences. Here are just a few ways recent technology advances can position students for success.
Improved personalization
Rather than studying in a vacuum, you can test yourself in real time by working with AI tools that provide immediate feedback on your performance. These tools can help you focus on the areas you need to improve and better focus your time and effort.
Enhanced planning
While traditional planners and calendars may work for some, using web-based or mobile tools for scheduling can be much more effective for students. Calendar applications can keep track of key deadlines and test dates and allow for time blocking dedicated to studying. Automated reminders prompt you to use your time wisely and set aside sufficient hours to study sufficiently. You can even keep track of your progress and achievements to build an AI-optimized resume that can be updated over time rather than waiting until the last minute to put it together.
Augmented study tools
AI can do more than just confirm whether an answer is correct — it can also summarize information or create flashcards for more efficient studying. Some software can provide useful feedback on other academic aspects, such as grammar usage, language skills, and critical thinking. Engaging in real time with AI can also help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses and refine your study techniques to optimize your learning for improved academic performance.
Using the right tools to study effectively.
Keeping up with studying and making it an iterative process can help you stay on track for the long term. With a solid plan and the right resources, you can enhance your study techniques and experience improved academic performance.
These study tips can also lay the groundwork for learners looking to take their education to new heights or start a new career. Effective note-taking, peer review, time management, and technology usage can directly impact your ability to be successful in a professional environment.
Adobe Acrobat offers an entire suite of online tools that makes it easy to create and work with PDF files, review and summarize content, and study effectively. Explore how to work with files from anywhere to streamline studying and information sharing.
Frequently asked questions.
How can I get better at studying?
Work on paying attention in class and taking notes on the lesson. Set aside time each day to look over course material and review all the content details. Additionally, take advantage of extra help hours or tutoring if it’s offered at your school.
What is the best study method?
Studying does not include a single best study technique. Instead, students should try various methods to find the one that works best for their unique learning style. Popular approaches include spreading study time over shorter sessions, using different media to review the same material, and practicing memorization techniques.
What is your best way to study?
Students should choose from the study tips that best fit their learning style. Some of the best study techniques include creating a list or a study plan, taking breaks to avoid burnout, sitting in a quiet area to avoid distractions, and working with others to reinforce study materials.
Can AI help me study?
AI can help personalize your studying experience. Acrobat AI Assistant can help create quizzes, flashcards, and study guides using your notes and other classroom resources. This will help you spend less time assembling information and more time studying.
How do I stay focused while studying?
Eliminate distractions and find a comfortable spot to get work done. Try out a study technique and find out which one works best for you. Writing out goals and priorities can help you see what needs to be a top priority.