19 Smart Study Strategies

Study Smart, Not Hard

The life of a student involves balancing multiple topics along with a social life, family life and even work. It’s rarely easy for anyone, but sometimes it feels like an impossible task to try to navigate through all of this. If you, as a student, feel like you’re putting in lots of time studying, while still having barely any time to lead a balanced life, you should consider methods to study smarter, and not just harder.

What do you need to know?

For any class, there are the main objectives that a student should learn and that is usually what is tested. These will be generally given to you in a written format. Regular attendance is critical because your instructors point out the most important information and this will save you a lot of time when you study on your own. You will also consult the course outline and other handouts and can make a checklist of topics to learn and review.

What are your strengths?

Once you know what you need to cover, identify the materials that you know that you know! These ones you can skim over for a quick review and feel confident in. This gives you a solid foundation of knowledge.

What are your weaknesses?

Make a note of your weakest areas. If you don’t feel quite comfortable with some prerequisite material, it can often save time to review it, if it’s important. For example, students who are rusty in Math, often struggle more with that more than with the new material itself. It’s often better to address your weak areas first. Consider the feedback that you get on any marked material. The only thing worse than making a mistake, is to keep making the same mistake over and over again.

What resources are the best use of your time?

Instructors often have resources available to students, like sample tests. Be sure to make use of those given. You may find that videos and worked out examples can be efficient ways to study. You can use your own judgment to pinpoint the best use of your time depending on how you learn best.

What is your best time of day to study?

Everyone has “best times”. Watch yourself as you study and start to identify when you are the most effective and efficient. Use those times the most and build them into your schedule.

Is your study time focused?

Some people can study with music, other people can’t. Some people can study in a group, other people can’t. Some people can only study in deep silence. Know yourself, and put yourself in the best study environment to help you focus.