UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions
Office of Student Services
Online Academic Success
Study
Habits
The word habit itself means “a pattern
of behavior acquired through repetition”.
To assess your present study habits, it simply
means to consciously identify your pattern of
behavior when it comes to studying.
What’s your response to the following
?
| I have trouble finishing tests on
time. |
Yes |
No |
| I don’t have much luck following
a definite study schedule. |
Yes |
No |
| I get sleepy when I study. |
Yes |
No |
| I waste time because I am not organized. |
Yes |
No |
| Daydreaming interferes with my studying. |
Yes |
No |
| I remember little of what I study. |
Yes |
No |
| I have trouble
with procrastination
|
Yes
|
No |
If you answered "yes" to the majority
questions perhaps you have challenges with time
management, test taking, active reading,or memorization
skills. The overall challenge is to build on
your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.
How Can I Develop Good Study Habits?
Design A Personal Study
Schedule
Design a Study Space
Organize Time Management Skills
Develop a Productive
Study Group
Design
a Personal Study Schedule
Scheduling a study time and making a commitment
to stick to it is a challenge but possible.
Without a schedule, you will study only when
“it fits in”, at the last minute
before a test, or when there is simply nothing
else to do.
When Designing a Personal
Study Schedule….
• Know your peak times.
Identify your best time to study which at times
will include the need to concentrate, comprehend,
and memorize. It does not matter if you’re
a morning or late night person just identify
the peak time you are most energized.
• Remain consistent.
Consistency conditions your mind and body to
develop a routine behavior of studying.
• Conduct a friend and family
meeting.
If you are sharing a living environment with
others, it is important for them to know your
scheduled study time. Hopefully that time will
be respected and noise levels (e.g. TV, radio,
telephone, etc.) will be monitored. Remember:
consistency is crucial if you really want to
gain the respect of others. Actions speak louder
than words.
• Break large assignments
into smaller tasks.
For example, research papers can be scheduled
into several parts such as; an outline, literature
search, rough draft, edited version, and final
paper.
• Study difficult subjects
first.
Tackle the most challenging subjects when you
can give them your full attention and energy.
Design
a Study Space
Where you study is not as important as whether
you are able to concentrate on studying when
you are there.
• Consistency is the key.
Use that designated space for nothing else but
studying. For example, if you get sleepy while
studying, don’t nap at your desk. Move
from that area, rest, and then return. Let that
area be associated with nothing else but studying.
• Good lighting.
Too much studying in too little light causes
eyestrain. Studying in a well-lighted place
is crucial in addition to occasionally resting
your eyes by looking off in the distance without
focusing for a few seconds.
• Furniture.
Do not underestimate the importance of a comfortable
chair that provides good support for your back.
Utilize a desk that supports your elbows and
wrists as you type.
• Immediate access to supplies.
Keep your supplies handy and replenished. Do
not allow yourself additional reasons to stop
the flow of studying, especially if you are
challenged with procrastination. All a “procrastinator”
needs is an excuse to leave the study area.
• Minimize distractions.
If possible, design your study space away from
televisions, CD players, video games, etc. You
may even limit the amount of personal photos
hung in this area. At times photos can initiate
daydreaming, reminiscing thoughts of past events,
which could impact your ability to stay focused.
Tips
on Time Management
Creating and implementing time management skills
is challenging. Most importantly we must realize
that “we don’t manage or control
time, we manage and control ourselves in the
time allotted.”
If time management has always been a problem
for you let us first identify what is considered
your “time stealers”.
• Lack of planning
• Procrastination
• Stress and fatigue
• Unclear communication (e.g. directions,
goals)
• Inability to say “no”
• Burn out
• Personal disorganization
As a student in an intense science or medical
education you cannot afford to lose track of
or waste time. The best way to start is to:
Develop and Maintain a Schedule
1. Determine and evaluate how you are presently
spending your time. Be honest and detailed.
(How do I spend my time?)
2. Evaluate where it was used efficiently and
where it was
wasted.
3. Develop an Effective Schedule
| a.
|
Be specific in making
the schedule (e.g. don’t just say
" I’m going to study biology”,
be specific and say “I
will read chapters 3 & 4). |
| b.
|
Estimate how long each assignment
will take, then
allocate the time on the schedule. |
| c.
|
Attempt to load your most demanding
subjects toward
the beginning of the week. You tend to
be more energetic and you become better
prepared for lectures. |
| d. |
Revise or confirm your schedule weekly. |
| e.
|
Make your time schedule realistic.
(e.g. don’t forget
to include travel, class, meal, and sleep
time). |
To take control of your time, you must be aggressive.
Your role as a student requires scheduled time
for studying and studying means more than simply
doing your homework. It includes reading, reviewing
notes, preparing for exams, presentations, and
writing papers. You must have the disciple to
stick to your schedule. The moment you fail
to follow your schedule, the benefits of time
management disappear. However, always try to
schedule yourself some free time, particularly
use it as an award when successfully sticking
to the schedule.
How
To Form and Utilize a Study Group
Unfortunately, many student’s first reaction
to participating in a study group is negative
often times based on a history of unproductive
experiences. However if formed properly and
utilized for specific tasks, study groups can
supplement and enhance your learning experience.
How to Form a Study Group:
• Find people who share your academic goals.
• Meet informally to discuss group goals,
meeting times, and location.
• Limit group size to 4 or 5 people.
• Do not meet with friends.
• Have an agenda planned for each meeting.
For example our next meeting will cover a review
of chapter five.
• Meet on a regular basis. (It is best
to start at the beginning of the semester and
not just at exam time.)
• Schedule a time limit. This is the most
important component. When group members know
the exact timeframe the study session will be,
it allows members to structure that day’s
commitments.
What is the best use of study groups?
• Review and comparing lecture notes. This
does not mean to be used as a resource for obtaining
notes because the student decided not to go
to class.
• Review Readings.
• Brainstorm possible test questions.
• Test each other by asking questions.
• Practice “teaching” your
peers on course content. This is particularly
helpful during test preparation.
• Provides a mutual support system.
|
