How to Study Effectively at University

To get to university with a clutch of good A-levels, you will have to develop some pretty solid studying techniques. But university-level work can be a whole different ball-game, in terms of how information is conveyed to you and what you have to do with that information.

This can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on how to study effectively at university, and make it a refreshing change from secondary school rather than a daunting one.

Make Lectures and Seminars Work For You

One of the most fundamental changes from school classwork is that you will be expected to attend lectures and seminars. A lecture comprises one academic speaking on a topic for up to fifty minutes, uninterrupted. This is a big change from the regular switch of activities and student participation in your A-level classroom.

You might get a sheet of paper ‘handout’ with some of the key facts and figures, as well as extra reading, and there may be a Powerpoint presentation uploaded to an accessible online portal. But otherwise, it’s up to you to make your own notes. Listening to someone talk for an extended period, and trying to absorb all of the information in one go, requires a lot of focus and concentration.

The good news is that you are more than welcome to ask the lecturer if you can record the lecture to re-listen at a later date. This can help assuage any mad note-taking panics if they speak particularly quickly, or you are a slow writer. Listening to it on x2 speed means you can pack several dense lectures into a shorter period, which is especially handy during revision.

Similarly, you can experiment with different note-taking styles in the first few weeks – jotting down keywords to research later works well – to find your own style. 

Learn the Library Shortcuts

It is pointless, however, to write down keywords from a lecture if you do not know how to properly follow up on them. Beyond the basic introductory course on how to check out books or search the collection, it is a good idea to consult your librarian about any specific skills courses they offer. Depending on your speciality, there may be some fantastic online resources which help you surf large quantities of material using basic keywords. 

Once you know how to find relevant books, and the relevant passages in them, it should go without saying that keeping track of your reading is vital: a brief list will prevent you from accidentally re-reading and will come in handy when compiling bibliographies.

One useful tip is to have a dedicated ‘library book’, where you record books you’ve consulted in the front and can note down books you need to check in the back.

Skim-Reading to the Max

All this time in the library is not particularly effective if you laboriously read every page of the assigned book. This is where skim-reading and indexing become a great time-saver. If your subject is ‘taxation’, then a glance at the index will give you the exact pages to read.

Similarly, use the sub-titles and chapter titles to guide you. This is especially useful if you are a history student and only require information from a particular period.

Use introductions, conclusions and reviews

Another excellent studing technique if your topic is a little broader is to read the introduction and conclusion to chapters and even whole books. This will give you a succinct overview of the main arguments and evidence used. Additionally, it can help you pinpoint more relevant passages within the book.

If you’re really pressed for time, reading a review of the book can turn up the same information. As well as its main strengths and flaws – even more quickly.

Develop your critical skills

Sifting through large amounts of information quickly is one thing. To learn how to study effectively, however, one must read and think critically even while taking in new material. Reading critically means assessing the possible biases of the author. You can review the potential flaws in their method or data, or even just the limits of their conclusions.

If you can read with a little bit of scepticism, and note down any misgivings or disagreements you have, then you will be able to work up your own take on the subject swiftly and effectively.

Thinking critically – thinking for yourself, rather than accepting new information at face value – is one of the most important skills you can learn at university. To do so and inject your own opinion into your work will demonstrate independent thought, making for more compelling essays. It will also assist you in seminars when it comes to articulating your opinion or disagreeing with someone else’s.

Pace yourself

For most students, the balance between work and play can become blurred very easily. Students can be influenced by various factors: living with friends, living in or near the university. It is crucial that your study time is real study time. It should not be punctuated or diluted by Instagram, Facebook or long, unnecessary cups of tea in the shared kitchen. Learning to pace your own learning will only make the time you spend at work shorter and more productive.

One easy strategy to maintain some discipline is the Pomodoro technique. Set yourself the task and then set a timer. For the full analogue experience, use a kitchen timer rather than your phone – for 25 minutes. Between sets you get a 2-3 minute break. You’d be amazed how much you can get done in 25 minutes of concentrated effort rather than 90+ minutes of meandering through social media and, very occasionally, Wikipedia.

Conclusion: Why Learn to Study Effectively?

These tips will help you make the crucial transition between a secondary school student, whose learning is structured and organized for them, to a university student whose independence can be both a blessing and a curse. Although three years at university may seem like an eternity to get everything done, time will fly by.

Learning how to study effectively will help free up valuable time to spend pursuing extra-curricular activities. You could do more socialising and, most importantly, enjoy the experience of university.