“I don’t know where to begin!”

  • Start with a list. From the top, begin with everything you MUST get done in the session, then what you’d LIKE to get done in the session then finally what would be NICE to get done. Be realistic! Not everything NEEDS to be completed in this sit down, it will help make things feel more manageable.
  • Your tasks need to be manageable, think 15-40 minute blocks. Instead of writing down START ENGLISH ESSAY, try ‘Write English Essay Introduction (Background Thesis, Points)’. Instead of STUDY MATHS, try ‘Write Chapter 3 Practise Questions 12-15, Chapter 4 Practise Questions 5&6’.
  • Schedule your time realistically. It’s important that your mindset isn’t built on the notion that the only way you can be ‘productive’ is if you are studying for 5 hours. Remember that it’s important to balance study with social!
  • Build up your tolerance for focus! Coming fresh out of holidays you won’t be able to focus for hours at a time. Start with shorter sessions and increase their length/frequency throughout the term as assessment approaches. 

“I have so much to study…and so little time!”

  • Start your session by quickly reviewing the content you will reasonably need to know for your exam/quiz/assignment. Use the traffic light method (or something similar) to help identify what needs more attention and what can be reviewed briefly.
    • Red = Needs most attention, would not know how to explain it to someone else
    • Orange = Have some understanding, could explain the basics
    • Green = Known/Memorised, can explain in detail
  • Start at red, and spend time according to lack of understanding. Less you know about something, more time you spend on it. When you have reviewed that content, test understanding via practise questions.
  • Focus on active study techniques to maximise productivity without feeling like you’re chewing up heaps of time. Don’t just read – apply knowledge!

“This content is SO boring!”

  • You’ve got to get actively involved with the content! No more passive reading of the text, highlighting the textbook or copying out bullet points from PowerPoint slides. Exams and assignments won’t just test you on your ability to memorise content, but how to apply to concepts in abstract and complex ways. If you don’t know where to start with active learning, pick up a practise quiz!
  • An easy way to alleviate some of the boredom of study is to share the time with friends. Study groups can be an incredibly effective way to get the most out of content; problems get solved amongst multiple minds, themes and symbolism can be unpacked via multiple viewpoints and study breaks can consist of good conversation rather than mindless TikTok scrolls.
  • YouTube/Video content break down can be a great way to dig into complex information in an interesting and engaging way. Be sure to take at least some dot point notes as you watch to stay focused. 

“There’s too much I need to remember!”

  • You’ve got to keep your study resources/notes organised, information becomes easier for your brain to remember when presented in a systematic framework. Utilise headings, subheadings, colour coordination, diagrams and the neatest handwriting you can muster (if your notes are physical)!  Importantly it should just take a glance to find definitions, formulas, important connections between content. It may seem a bit obvious, but keep all you notes in one place (digital or physical folders) so that you don’t waste any of your focus time during study looking for things.
  • Turn content into visual diagram. If you are struggling to hold onto content in written forms, try translating concepts or ideas into visual mind maps or diagrams. This exercise will allow you to visualise key connections between concepts!
  • Remember to utilise your mnemonic devices; acronyms, rhymes or songs, visual aids and chunking large blocks of content into smaller ‘family’ groups.