Mastering Study Skills: Essential Tips for Academic Success

When I was in high school and college, I often struggled with tests. I loved research and writing assignments, but studying and taking tests was really difficult for me. It was always upsetting to do well throughout the semester, only to have my grade drop due to the midterm or final exam. Looking back, I can see that no one had ever taught me how to study. My typical study session consisted of me sitting at my desk with my notes and rereading them until I felt like maybe I had absorbed something.

We often encounter students who are eager to excel academically but who, like me, struggle with ineffective study habits. Whether it’s cramming the night before exams or getting easily distracted while studying, mastering effective study skills is crucial for academic success. In this blog post, we will share valuable tips and strategies to help students cultivate better study habits and maximize their learning potential.

I recently had the chance to speak with Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer, Head of Instruction, at ArborBridge Tutoring. She provided me with some fantastic tips and tricks for students hoping to improve their skills. Keep reading to learn how to level up your study habits and ace your next exam:

1. Optimize your study space. The right learning environment can help you set yourself up to study more effectively.

• When preparing your study space, consider factors like lighting, physical comfort, and internet reliability. For example, think about whether your chair, desk/table, computer, and other equipment are positioned at heights that are comfortable for you and make it easy to get work done.
• Make sure you have a system for keeping paper study materials organized, too. Arrange books and documents by subject on a designated shelf or in specific folders within your desk or backpack so that you can quickly locate materials when you need them.
• Minimize outside distractions by taking steps like closing the door, positioning yourself in the quietest corner of the room, or wearing headphones. Keep your phone out of sight and, if you’re using a device to study, close unrelated tabs and apps. The goal is to devote your full attention to one task at a time—frequent interruptions and multitasking can slow you down and cause you to miss information or make mistakes.

2. Review material right away. Forgetting happens most rapidly in the 24 hours after you learn something new. The good news is that revisiting content the same day you learn it keeps your retention close to 100%. On top of that, a daily routine for reviewing new material saves you a ton of time in the long run. Staying current with your coursework means you won’t have to scramble to catch up just a few days before an exam.

• Build a routine. Take a few minutes at the end of each class or the end of the day to return to your textbooks, notes, and other course material.
• Start by filling in gaps. Update your notes if you notice any key information that’s missing. Pause to look up definitions and—if needed and if you have the time—you might be able to find short videos to help reinforce your understanding of concepts that still feel unclear to you. Along the way, it’s a great idea to write down questions you have so that you can follow up with your teacher.
• Summarize your major takeaways. Do this in whichever way works best for you: a visual map, an outline, a chart, or any other preferred method. The key is to rephrase important information in your own words and have an easy-to-follow summary you can return to in the future.

3. Create a study timeline. Planning ahead will streamline your study process and save you time and energy. Work backwards from the date of your upcoming test: map out a timeline for studying to make sure you’re reviewing on a regular basis, giving attention to the areas where you need the most improvement, and mastering the material at a pace that works for your learning style.

• Think about how much time you realistically can devote to studying each week, and pace yourself. When scheduling study sessions, make sure to set aside time for your other commitments and ensure you’re getting enough sleep on a daily basis. Having an idea of exactly when and for how long you plan to study increases your odds of actually getting it done—but be careful not to overextend yourself. Avoid burnout by spacing out your study sessions and incorporating regular breaks into your schedule so that you can maintain a healthy school-life balance.
• Try to schedule your study sessions for times of day when you feel alert. There’s no single perfect time to study; every student learns differently, and you can experiment with studying at different times of the day to figure out when your level of focus tends to be highest.
• Prioritize what you want to spend the most time reviewing. When deciding the order in which to review specific concepts, you can focus on topics, definitions, and formulas you’re likely to encounter frequently and dedicate extra time to topics you find challenging.

4. Rinse and repeat. Frequent repetition improves long-term memory and comprehension. The brain prioritizes information it encounters often, and regular review sessions help you avoid having to relearn forgotten concepts later on.

• Space out your study sessions. Studying for 15 minutes multiple times a week is much more effective than cramming for several hours at the end of the month. Calendar reminders can help you stick to a consistent study schedule.
• Flashcards are a convenient and highly effective study tool for ongoing review, especially useful for memorizing definitions, formulas, and key facts. Plus, the act of creating flashcards—breaking down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable chunks—makes it easier for your brain to process information.
• You can also break down longer study sessions to facilitate repeated review. Studies have found that optimal study spurts are 30-40 minutes long. Short breaks in between help you physically and mentally reset and recharge. Take a few minutes to stretch your legs, eat a snack, and rest your eye muscles. When you pick back up, you can quiz yourself on the material you recently reviewed.

5. Study with classmates. Studying with your peers can keep you motivated and boost your retention.

• Establish a plan. Studying in a group can be fun, but it’s also easy to get off track. Before you begin, decide what you want to cover and who will lead each part of the study session. It’s okay for your agenda to be flexible, but a basic plan will give you a sense of structure and help you to stay on task.
• Take turns teaching the material to each other. Explaining tricky concepts to other people strengthens your understanding of the information and is a great way to identify areas where you need further review. Together, you and your classmates can also exchange insights and explore each other’s questions from new angles.
• Quiz each other. Answering questions and coming up with your own helps you anticipate what you’ll encounter on the test and practice recalling information from memory. It’s an interactive way to reinforce the material, making it more likely to stick.

Thank you to our friends at ArborBridge Tutoring for sharing their expertise! If you need tailored advice and support to enhance your study skills, ArborBridge is here for you. For comprehensive college counseling, including application strategies and academic planning, our team at Premium Prep is ready to help. Contact us today to get started.