Study Efficiently and Make the Most of Your Precious Time
Author: Judy Bushnell
Life at BCIT goes by pretty fast, and time is precious. Here are some simple things you can do to make the most of it.
Build a study schedule
Fill in fixed activities, like your class schedule, first. Be sure to set aside time for other important activities, like meals and sleep (yes, it’s important!).
Schedule approximately two hours of study per hour of class time. Later, you can decide if you need more or less time than this to accomplish your goals.
Avoid marathon study sessions, if possible. You’ll retain more information if you study a subject in three 2-hour blocks of time, than if you study the same material for six hours straight.
Write down the name of the course you intend to study. This way, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and you might be less tempted to put off subjects that you find less interesting.
Use it or lose it
Short-term memory fades very quickly. Generally, people forget most of what they just learned unless they use the new material right away. Research suggests that the first 24 hours is the window of opportunity for moving it to long-term memory.
- A quick review at the end of the day can save you hours of study at exam time.
- Weekly reviews to integrate what you have learned will also help you make the most of limited time.
Choose a good time to study
Be aware of your best time of day. If you’re exhausted immediately after your classes end, use this time to recharge your batteries rather they studying. Otherwise, you’ll set yourself up for disappointment and frustration, and accomplish very little.
Make sure that you’re getting a good return for your investment. If you aren’t making much progress or have gotten stuck, take a short break to clear your head. You’ll be more productive with a few well-timed breaks than with no breaks at all.
Choose a good place to study
Use a regular study area to condition your mind to get to work quickly. Pick a location that meets your needs, with as few distractions as possible.
The Burnaby Campus Library (SE 14) has 11 Project and Study Rooms for student use, including the ehPod, where you can hole up until 3 am, 7 days a week. The Learning Commons on the third floor offers a large collaborative learning space, wireless access and lots of natural light.
Beat procrastination
“Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now.”
- Larry Kersten, www.despair.com
Sometimes, the long-term rewards of a good education just can’t compete with the immediate gratification of playing video games or hanging out with friends when you really should be studying. To avoid the procrastination trap, build a system of frequent, short-term rewards that will motivate you to get your work done first. Then you can enjoy your leisure time without guilt. Hey, you earned it!
Learn actively
Asking questions will help you think more deeply about what you are learning. For example,
- “Why is this important?”
- “Where else will this information be useful?”
- “When is this method not appropriate?”
- “What is the best way to do this task?”
- “How can I apply this skill?”
Turn titles and heading in reading assignments into questions. For example, if you're reading part of a chapter called "Functions of the Spinal Cord," ask yourself, "What are the functions of the spinal cord?"
There is no right or wrong question, so let your curiosity guide you. Review your answers periodically so you can build on your existing knowledge and skills.
Be Resourceful
Savvy students take advantage of the wide range of student services and learning resources on campus. Consider making an appointment with a counsellor or talking to a peer tutor to address problems before they get out of hand. You’ll be glad you did.