Joan: Hey. How’s it going at university? Have you begun to study yet?
Laura: No, I still haven’t started. The same thing happens every time: I begin to study at the last minute.
Joan: At first, I did the same thing, but then I found a way to make better use of my time and get better results.Laura: Really? Go on; tell me how you did it, you, who have so much more experience…
Joan: You need to bear in mind three things: your body, the environment, and more directly, your study techniques.
Laura: Yeah, the first point is already very clear: eating right, sleeping well and practising sport. But what do you mean by the environment and study techniques?
Joan: Those are the points!
Joan (voice off):
- First of all, must really make use of your daily planner: distribute the study hours one week ahead of time and jot down the important dates. This way, you make a commitment to yourself.
- Next, you need to create a good place to study: if you have a calendar in sight, it will help you organize your weekly responsibilities more efficiently. Moreover, a clock will mark your study and rest time, so that you can stay more focussed when studying.
Laura: I like these ideas. Go on!
- You will find it easier to study more efficiently once you have cleared away all the little possible distractions.
- The professor is an expert in the subject and was also a student at one time. Ask the teaching staff about the best way to study for the classes they teach.
Laura: It’s all much clearer now.
Joan: You’ll see that it will be very helpful in the end.
Laura: In a word …
Joan (voice off). The following list also appears on the screen []:
- If you have to memorise, there are more efficient methods than simple repetition. Yet you will need to learn and practise them, in order for them to be truly effective. [There are other more effective study methods than repetition]
- It is very important to create a study habit: for example, to study each day at the same time, and for a certain length of time. [Develop study habits]
- Remember that underlining, writing summaries and creating outlines are skills that can always be improved. Try to find new and better ways to study: never give up the search. [Find new ways to study]
Laura: This makes me want to study more!
Joan: I’m glad you feel more motivated.