http://gradschool.about.com/cs/studytips1/a/studytips.

ht
m?terms=study
We all lead busy lives with some combination of jobs,
children to care for, family and friends who need
attention, and household responsibilities that make
finding time to study challenging to say the least.
However, many students don't realize that graduate
school success is not necessarily a matter of how much
they study but how well. One of the best ways to study
more efficiently (and thereby succeed in graduate school)
is to learn how you learn. What learning style do you
have? Tailor your studying to fit your style.
Learn How You Learn
No two students are alike; however, there are a few
consistent styles of learning. Once you've identified your
style, you can then begin to adjust your study habits to
suit your needs.
Audial Learners
Audial learners often don't take notes in class because
they remember everything that the prof says. They can
carry on an intelligent conversation and learn a great
deal from a good conversation. But books? Here's where
their attention may wane. Reading may be difficult and
they find themselves reading and rereading the same
material.
Audial Learner Strategies:

Tape your classes. Few professors mind having their

lectures tape recorded, and a taped copy of a lecture

often helps you keep track of details you may otherwise

not have had a chance to pen.
Study with a partner, a friend, a spouse, or another
classmate. Don't just spit facts back and forth. Discuss
the issues that you see, take it apart, challenge each
other to understand what's important.
Visual Learners
Visual learners thrive on books and often take meticulous
notes, but don't retain spoken information unless they jot
it down.They can often discuss the subject matter fluidly,
but may prefer not to think about more difficult concepts
or ideas before they've worked through it on paper. A
visual learner will generally remember what they've
learned, but may get bored or have trouble following a
conversation if it gets too involved or too long.
Strategies for Visual Learners:

Read. Read. Read. Take precise notes.

If it's rote information, recopy your material by hand to
assist you in retaining it. If it's a tough concept that
your working on, write a brief paragraph for yourself
and think through it with a pen in hand.
Don't limit yourself to writing only the specific
information, but explore what questions you have, even
writing down if you disagree with some part of the topic
and why.
Manual Learners
Face it, some of us don't get it if we don't DO it. Handson is the only way to retain some things for you, and

studying pure theory can seem impractical. But this is

graduate school! How can you survive if you don't read?
Strategies for Manual Learners

Before you panic and think that you're relegated to the

field of welding, think about what it is about your
particular field that you plan on working with, and look
at how to actually do it. This can be done in any fieldfrom Humanities to Business.
Spend time in agencies that operate within your field of
interest.
Internships are excellent places to start and can lead to
wonderful opportunities. Interview with potential
employers or functionaries in the field.
Don't limit yourself to what you do in classes, but step
outside of the class room environment and bring your
studies to life through volunteer jobs, and experiencing
the world.
Rarely will a student that will fit neatly into one category.
Most individuals use a combination of two or more
learning styles. They key is to try them on and see which
ones fit the best. Don't be afraid to be a little
unconventional in your approach to studying.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-tips-to-study-smart-andsave-time.html
10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time
July 5 by Scott H Young | 61 Comments and 1 Reaction | Featured,
Lifestyle | Tags: learning, study

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I recently got my marks back from University. My grade point average
was a 4.2 out of a possible 4.5, resting between an A and a perfect A+.
In itself, this isnt an incredible achievement. But I managed to do this
while spending only a fraction of the time studying than many of the
people I knew.
Is it just natural talent? Perhaps. Ive always had a knack for
understanding concepts and learning new ideas. But I also believe the
way I learned the information played a role. Instead of cramming last
minute or memorizing details, I try to organize information in a way that
makes it easier to recall.
This strategy of organization I label holistic learning. Holistic learning is
simply the process of organizing information into webs, that
interconnect ideas. Instead of forcing ideas into your skull, you focus on
the relationships between information. Linking ideas together to see the
whole, instead of just the parts.
Building an Understanding
Learning is a process similar to building a house. You arent fed the
complete picture. Limitations on communication prevent the
instantaneous transmission of knowledge. Instead you listen to lectures,
read textbooks and take painstaking notes to try and comprehend a
subject.
You are fed building supplies, bricks, mortar and glass. It is up to you to
assemble the building. Unfortunately, most learning strategies fall into
two basic types:

1. Memorization Instead of building anything you simply stare at

each brick for several minutes trying to record its position.
2. Formulas This is the equivalent to being blind, fumbling around
a new house. You cant see the building itself but you learn to
come up with simple rules to avoid walking into walls.
There is nothing particularly wrong with either of these strategies,
assuming they arent your entire strategy. The human brain isnt a
computer so it cant memorize infinite sums of knowledge without some
form of structure. And formulas no longer work if the questions they are
designed to solve change scope.
Learning Holistically
The alternative strategy is to focus on actually using the information you
have to build something. This involves linking concepts together and
compressing information so it fits in the bigger picture. Here are some
ideas to get started:
1. Metaphor Metaphors can allow you to quickly organize
information by comparing a complex idea to a simple one. When
you find relationships between information, come up with
analogies to increase your understanding. Compare neurons with
waves on a string. Make metaphors comparing parts of a brain
with sections of your computer.
2. Use All Your Senses - Abstract ideas are difficult to memorize
because they are far removed from our senses. Shift them closer
by coming up with vivid pictures, feelings and images that relate
information together. When I learned how to do a determinant of
a matrix, I remembered the pattern by visualizing my hands
moving through the numbers, one adding and one subtracting.
3. Teach It - Find someone who doesnt understand the topic and
teach it to them. This exercise forces you to organize. Spending

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

five minutes explaining a concept can save you an hour of

combined studying for the same effect.
Leave No Islands When you read through a textbook, every
piece of information should connect with something else you
have learned. Fast learners do this automatically, but if you leave
islands of information, you wont be able to reach them during a
test.
Test Your Mobility - A good way to know you havent linked
enough is that you cant move between concepts. Open up a word
document and start explaining the subject you are working with. If
you cant jump between sections, referencing one idea to help
explain another, you wont be able to think through the
connections during a test.
Find Patterns Look for patterns in information. Information
becomes easier to organize if you can identify broader patterns
that are similar across different topics. The way a neuron fires has
similarities to if statements in programming languages.
Build a Large Foundation - Reading lots and having a general
understanding of many topics gives you a lot more flexibility in
finding patterns and metaphors in new topics. The more you
already know, the easier it is to learn.
Dont Force - I dont spend much time studying before exams.
Forcing information during the last few days is incredibly
inefficient. Instead try to slowly interlink ideas as they come to
you so studying becomes a quick recap rather than a first attempt
at learning.
Build Models Models are simple concepts that arent true by
themselves, but are useful for describing abstract ideas.
Crystallizing one particular mental image or experience can create
a model you can reference when trying to understand. When I
was trying to tackle the concept of subspaces, I visualized a blue
background with a red plane going through it. This isnt an entirely

accurate representation of what a subspace is, but it created a

workable image for future ideas.
10.
Learning is in Your Head Having beautiful notes and a
perfectly highlighted textbook doesnt matter if you dont
understand the information in it. Your only goal is to understand
the information so it will stick with you for assignments, tests and
life. Dont be afraid to get messy when scrawling out ideas on
paper and connecting them in your head. Use notes and books as
a medium for learning rather than an end result.
http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/Studying+&+Training/Studying+tip
s+&+resources/Top+ten+study+tips/
Top ten study tips
Here are our top ten tips to help
you study. If youve got an exam
coming up you might also like to
have a look at our Top ten exam
tips page.
1. Find your study space
Everyone has their own idea
about the best place to study.
Find a space that works for you
and stick with it.

Do you prefer to study in silence or listen to music?

Do you work better alone or with other people?
Do you like to study at home or at
school/uni/TAFE/library?

2. Be organised

Make sure you have all the materials you need in your
study space before you start studying. Getting up to look
for a pencil sharpener or ruler will break your
concentration and waste your time.
3. Clear your mind
If youve got a lot on your mind take a moment to write
yourself some notes about what you're thinking about
before you start studying. This will help to clear your
mind you focus all your thoughts on your work.
Its also a good idea to keep some spare paper next to
you while youre studying so if you think of anything you
need to do later you can write it down and put it out of
your mind, then get on with the studying.
4. Get motivated
Think about what it will mean for you if you do well in
your studies. How will it make you feel? If you keep the
end result in mind it will help you stay motivated.
You might like to find a quote or an image or something
that represents success for you and put it somewhere
you can see it while youre studying.
5. Plan your time (and use it well)
It helps to plan when you will study and how you can
make the most of your study time.

Use a calendar or a list of dates or a wall planner to keep

track of exam dates and assignment due dates. Plan
ahead. Space out your study time each week for the
whole term/semester - dont try to cram it all in the night
before!
Do the hardest work when youre feeling your best. Save
the easy stuff for when youre tired.
Set yourself a time limit for each task and follow it.
6. Know your learning style
Most of us have a preferred way of learning. Get to know
your learning style and study in the ways you learn best.
Auditory learners learn by listening. If youre an
auditory learner you could try reading your notes aloud
and discussing them with other people. You might like to
record key points and play them back.
Visual learners learn by seeing. If youre a visual
learner you could use colours in your notes and draw
diagrams to help represent key points. You could try to
remember some ideas as images.
Tactile/kinesthetic learners learn by doing. If youre a
tactile/kinesthetic learner you could use methods like
role-playing or building models to revise key points.

Courseworks at the University of Melbourne has a quick

quiz you can take (new window) to see what kind of
learner you are.
7. Use your notes
Taking detailed notes in class will save you heaps of time
later. Re-writing and adding to your notes is a great way
to revise what youve learned.
Check out this online Study Skills Library for explanations
of five note-taking systems (new window).
8. Make your own study materials
Think up some practice exam questions or create your
own flash cards to help you study. This way you learn it
all twice: once when you make the study materials and
twice when you use them to revise.
9. Test yourself
Dont wait for an exam to test your knowledge test
yourself first. Get a friend or family member to quiz you
on key concepts or offer to help other students with their
work. Its a great way to get confident with what you do
know and find out what you still need to learn!
10. Take time out
You study better when you're feeling good. So make sure
you eat well and get enough sleep. Exercise is great but
dont overdo it.

Its also a good idea to schedule regular breaks when

youre studying and keep hydrated. Youll study better if
you take care of yourself.
Come up with your own strategies
Remember - these tips are only some of the things that
you can do to get the most out of your studying. There
might be other things that work even better for you.
Ask around - find out what your friends do when they're
studying - maybe some of their tricks will work for you
too! Maybe your teachers have some good
recommendations too.
Whatever it is, whatever strategy you come up with,
when you find something that works for you, put it into
practise and go for it!
http://www.productivity501.com/study-tips-2/2962/

Study your notes after each class period, not just before tests.
Start reviewing a week ahead of time if you can. That way youll have a margin for error.
Find a good, quiet place with few distractions to study in.
Study in sections. For example: one hour of studying, 20 minute break, and so on
Study during the day if you can, rather than leaving it for the evening.
Take a look at your classwork and determine early on which one needs the most time devoted
to it. That way, you know which one you might need to plan in more study time for.
Discuss concepts you dont understand with your professor as soon as you can.
If you dont understand your textbook, use other materials such as the internet, study guides
and other classmates to help you work through the material.
Spend some time getting to know your professors. Stop by their offices early in the semester to
get acquainted.
Some people find typing out their notes after writing them helps them remember more of the
material.
Take a recorder to class. It might pick up some things you miss in class, and it would also be
handy to listen to for a review if you commute to school.

Study as soon as you can after class. This way the information is more likely to stick in your
memory.
Some people find that background noise helps them tune out other distractions. Classical music
or soft jazz might work.
Learn and understand the main ideas first, then focus on the details. Details make much more
sense when you understand the big picture.
Try to minimize distractions to schoolwork if you can. We all have to balance our social lives
with school, but the weekend before a Monday test is probably not the time to take that
weekend trip to Colorado.
Study by yourself first, but then go find some good study buddies to review the material with.
Quizzing each other can be a great way to review for a quiz or test, or just a good way to review
what you studied in your notes.
Try to understand the material as best you can when you hear it. Reading the textbook before
class can be a big help in allowing you to learn things faster.
Use online resources if they are given by the teacher.
Try to do very well at the beginning of the semester at meeting your goals for grades. That way,
you might not be stressing as much at finals.
If you commute, try to find someone to carpool with. That way, you can study at least half of the
time when you are not driving.
Dont study for recognition of terms. Study for recall of these terms, what they mean and how
they relate to the other material and concepts presented in class.
Try to study within 24 hours of getting the notes or other study material. This makes the
information stick better when you have heard it more than once in that period of time.
Repetition is the key to much studying. If you dont understand something read it over again
until it starts to make more sense. If it doesnt, go ask the professor or another student.
Quiz yourself after reading your textbook or notes. Do you recall the major concepts?
In class, dont just write down what the professor puts up on the overhead. Write down the
things he/she says in between, if you can.
Use your professors office hours! Not all, but most, professors want students to come and ask
questions. I cannot emphasize this one enough.
If you did something wrong on a quiz or test make sure you know how to correct the problems.
If you dont, see your professor. Remember, you may see that material again on a final.
Find aspects of the material that interest you. This helps you remember what you have studied.
Sometimes what the professor feels is important can be a key to what they are going to test
over. This isnt always true, but it can help you find a starting place on what to study.
If you have to miss class, get your notes from a good B student instead of the A student. This
sounds counterproductive, but the A student may leave things out of their notes that they
already know, and you may not know that information prior to taking the class.
Be organized with your studying time. Try to plan for interruptions if you can.
Try not to let friends distract you when you know you should study. This is hard to do, but one
motivator is thinking about how much time you will have later to spend with them if you study
now.
If you can, limit work to 10-15 hours per week. For students in some majors, this may even be
too much.
Do the assigned homework, even if it isnt for turning in. There is a reason the professor assigns
it, because the material could show up on a quiz or test in the future.
Use index cards as flash cards. You can take them anywhere and study if you have time between
classes. Plus, this is much easier on your back than carrying a heavy textbook around all day.

Study as much as possible during your self-assigned study time. That way, you wont have to
worry about it when you are having fun with your friends.
Find a favorite sport to play or another physical activity to relieve stress. Mine is running or
reading just for fun.
Use a calendar to keep track of test and quiz days.
Keep a notepad and pen beside your bed. People often think of concepts they need to review
before going to sleep. This can also help you relieve stress by not having to worry about
remembering what you need to study.
Try not to get into the habit of staying up too late. Some studies show that rest does your mind
more good than that extra hour of cramming the night before a test.
Make specific folders on your computer and flash drive for each class. That way there will be less
of a chance of losing an important assignment.
Make back-up copies of your completed assignments. What can go wrong, sometimes will go
wrongat the worst possible time.
Help eliminate stress by setting self-assigned deadlines so that you complete each assignment a
few days ahead of time, if possible.
When writing a paper (especially an informative or persuasive essay) that the professor has not
specifically set the topic on, see if you can find something that really interests you to write about.
That way, working on the paper wont be quite so much of a chore, and youre writing will most
likely turn into a much better paper.
Study for your hardest classes first. That way you will be less likely to be worn out, which makes
things much worse.
Many schools offer free tutoring. If you need it, dont be ashamed. Go ask questions. Many A
students I know have and still do go to tutors for help.
Make up silly mnemonics to help you remember important things. One example is the phrase,
please excuse my dear aunt sally, which helps math students remember the order of
operations (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division).
Many college professors dont give study guides. To help with this problem, just go through your
notes and textbook and pull all of the main ideas from the textbook and all of the notes into one,
central location. This makes it a lot easier to get your studying done faster.
Dont leave studying for the weekend. Lots of times unexpected things can infringe on your
study plans during the weekend.
If you can, avoid using stimulants such as caffeine to keep yourself awake. Some people dont
remember things well when they are awake only because of some chemical.
Though it is good to spend a lot of time studying, the quality of that study time is very important.
Minimizing distractions and setting specific times to study will help ensure good quality study
time.
Try not to study in your dorm room. That annoying student down the hall that likes to play
his/her music at maximum volume might decide to do so while you are trying to study.
Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest during the night both help studying go better.
Get outside and exercise, if you can. Some studies show that moderate exercise has very
positive effects on studying and mental processes in general.
Make up silly songs using important course information or concepts as the lyrics. It sounds weird,
but most people actually find things set to music easier to remember.