How to Study

This page includes resources to help you study more effectively, organized into three sections:

• Effective Study Systems – ways to build a sustainable study routine that works short and long term.
• Immediate Study Strategies – techniques to use when you need to study but aren’t sure how to start.
• Long-term Learning Skills – approaches for planning your learning over a semester.

Before diving in, it’s helpful to understand how we think about learning itself. Start by reviewing the notes on metacognition below.

Metacognition

Metacognition is defined as the awareness, understanding, and control over thinking and learning processes. We practice metacognition when we engage in the process of reflecting on and directing our own thinking. To put it simply, it’s “thinking about our thinking.”

Metacognition is beneficial for the learning process because: 

1. When we reflect on HOW and WHAT we’re thinking, we create stronger memory practices 

2. By evaluating our strategies and the results they yield, we can better identify weak spots in our learning and make intentional choices for studying 

3. By thinking about how we engage with our course materials, we can strategically use our mental processing of information to develop mastery and to experience better performance overall 

The components that make up the metacognition process are planning, monitoring, and evaluating. This is also referred to as self-directed or self-regulated learning.

Planning

• Set learning goals. Identify the required or viable strategies or approaches for learning.
• Schedule when and for how long the learning session will be.
• Collect the required materials and tools needed for the learning session.
• Set up an environment for optimal learning.

Monitoring

• Track productivity and motivation levels throughout the learning session to stay on track.
• Track progress made towards learning goals.
• Ask questions throughout the learning session to check understanding and comprehension of material or to identify areas of confusion

Evaluating

• Reflect on the effectiveness of the learning strategies and adjust as needed.
• Identify what you learned.
• Assess how you may apply what you learned.
• Identify what you still need to learn or need clarification on.
• Determine opportunities for improvement.

Reference:

Lovett, M.C., Bridges, M.W., DiPietro, M., Ambrose, S.A., & Norman, M.K. (2023). How learning works: 8 research-based principles for smart teaching (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.