Tips and tricks for learning and studying independently at university
EXPERT ADVICE
By Dr. Holi Birman, Academic Learning Facilitator
What are the main differences between learning and studying at high school compared to university?
Your time is yours! At university there is much more freedom. You get to choose how, when and what to study and there are usually less contact hours than high school. Sounds good, right? You’ve probably already figured out that this comes with its own challenges, though. Procrastination is one of them!
The other big difference is what we are looking for in your thinking, writing and presenting. We are much less interested in how well you can feed information back to us to show us you understand (though this is part of it) and much more interested in seeing what you can do with the knowledge! It’s called critical thinking, and it’s the key to your success.
When studying independently, how can I stay motivated and on track?
Motivation is hard to sustain when it relies on us being passionate and excited all the time. Chances are, you’re going to hit some boring readings at university (shhhhh!). The important thing is to make the process manageable – my advice: treat this like a marathon, not a sprint.
Things to consider:
- Build plenty of breaks into your study schedule.
- Make time to do things you love away from the screen.
- Take care of your mental health.
- Then, figure out when you are at your sharpest study-wise. Are you a morning person or night owl?
You don’t have to bend to be the ‘model’ student, you just need to bring out the best in yourself by knowing yourself and when you are most likely to focus and get things done. Once you work that out, schedule study slots with a clear focus or task. 15 – 45 mins at a time is plenty. This process means you’re less likely to fall behind and get overwhelmed. Because, at uni, it’s often being overwhelmed that sends students off track more than boredom.
What are your tips for setting up a study and learning routine so that I still have time to socialise?
So, you’ve worked out when you’re at your sharpest mentally. Now, do the opposite! Socialising is fun and easy and it’s much easier to schedule in because it generally requires less brain and more heart!
Find a scheduling app or even a good old spreadsheet and block out time for human connection amongst your study and other commitments. Importantly, save your creative juices for study (reading, thinking, planning, writing) and make that time sacred. Don’t give it up for anyone unless it’s an emergency.
At the beginning or end of each week, plan for the week ahead so you know what’s coming up and tell your friends/family/loved ones how long you can spend with them. Managing their expectations will make life easier for you and you’ll have less guilt when you have to head back to your uni work.
How should I prep for a tutorial? And what are some tips for getting through bulk readings and lecture material?
If anyone asks, this didn’t come from me! It is very unlikely you’ll be able to get through all your readings if you are studying full time and also having to smash out assignments, alongside general life commitments. So, don’t even try. Study smart.
When you’re reading a journal article, for example, read the abstract, introduction and conclusion first. Highlight key words. Make a few notes. Figure out what you need to read and turn up to your tutorial with a general understanding of the required readings, as well as a few comments and a couple of questions you can ask. Save the in-depth reading for assignments.
To get through lectures, avoid trying to sit through the whole hour in one hit if you’re listening online. Aim for 15-minute stints so you can stay focussed and at the end take notes on what you heard, and then take a short break before getting back into it. This might take longer, but it will help you retain the info and the experience overall is likely to be better (which means you’re more likely to listen to the lecture next week rather than avoiding it altogether!)
Another tip is to speed up the audio to x1.5 which works well for some people!
What is the best way to engage with tutors and lecturers?
Remember they’re human and probably look forward to and value connecting with you. Whether you’re on campus or online and have a question, approach your lecturer or tutor after class and see if ‘now is a good time’ to speak. If it’s not, ask them when would be a suitable time to chat in person or on Teams/Zoom.
You can also drop them an email, but sometimes it can take longer to get a response this way. If you don’t hear back, give them a minimum of 48 hours to reply. If you do choose the email route, don’t forget basic etiquette, e.g. ‘Hi X’, ‘Dear X’, not ‘hey, can you send me X’! And before you ask a question, make sure it isn’t answered clearly in the course outline!
What are your top tips for working in groups for assignments and assessments?
Group work can be tricky business and students are often faced with challenges in this area; however, effective teamwork has many benefits and it is worthwhile investing in the process. Here are my top tips on collaborating on group work:
- Take time before you get into the content to identify your strengths and those of your group members… and work to those strengths!
- Assume the best of people and be as inclusive as possible. If someone isn’t participating, it’s easy to get resentful and feel the burden but first remember that: they may be extremely shy; have anxiety; be self-conscious about speaking or writing if English isn’t their first language; or, be neurodivergent and feel overwhelmed if a group of people are talking all at once (as just one example).
- Generosity and open communication are the keys to success when it comes to group work.
- Oh, and preparation! Don’t leave the project or presentation until the last minute. 😊
How can I prevent myself from falling behind at University?
Develop a routine early on, stick to it as much as possible and be as realistic as you can. If you’re not able to stick to your study schedule, work out why and adjust it.
Also remember that life happens, and we’re often thrown curve-balls when we least expect it. So, if you’re set back, communicate with your lecturers and tutors and let them know your situation. Apply for special consideration if you need more time.
Take advantage of the Equitable Learning Service if you’re experiencing a health condition that adversely affects your studies – they’re a confidential service and can help set up ongoing adjustments for you (like extensions). You can also book in for a consultation with an Academic Learning Facilitator to talk through an assessment, get feedback on a draft, or help you make sense of an assignment brief, among other things!
The key is, reflect on how you’re doing, be honest with yourself, and ask for help when you need it.
Does the tutor remind you of deadlines?
Sometimes! But it’s your responsibility to keep on top of your assessments and the best thing to do is check out your course outline at the beginning of term and add all deadlines to your calendar, so there are no surprises!
Where can I go to for help if I am struggling or find myself falling behind?
