Critical Skills: Study Skills

To enhance learning, comprehension, and retention of new information, students of all ages apply various study skills, which are methods of practice that reinforce information and new knowledge about a particular subject. Study skills may be utilized inside or outside the classroom, and range in techniques from note-taking and listening skills to reading critically, test-taking, creating additional study tools such as flash cards, or working in a study group. Because every student learns differently, the study skills that benefit one individual might be useless for another. For this reason, students are generally encouraged to explore a number of different options while in school to determine what works best for them so they have a strong plan in place by the time they reach more advanced college-level or graduate work. Research has shown that students with the skills to study and continue to learn their course material on their own tend to earn higher grades and graduate with a better GPA (grade point average) than those who do not.

Incoming students in high schools or colleges are often offered the opportunity—or even required—to take a class or a brief workshop in study skills. Greater retention rates are seen among students who are required to take a study skills class as part of their early course work. These higher retention rates mean that a student with efficient and effective study skills is more likely to stay in school, and to graduate, than one who does not possess this ability.

Core Skills & Competencies

While each individual student may differ in skills and abilities, educators and researchers generally agree that there are a number of core skills that make students more likely to retain information and to be able to apply it later. There are generally four phases to successful learning: preparation for the course; attention and note-taking during the instruction; reinforcement of the knowledge through review and study after the course; and finally, demonstration of knowledge, usually through taking a test or completing another type of assignment or project. Along with each one of these four phases, there are particular study skills that enhance knowledge and understanding in each phase.

In preparing to take a particular course, a student might carefully review a syllabus and make a plan for the semester, noting key due dates and the volume of work required. During a course, preparation might involve reading material in advance of the class, and therefore employing reading comprehension skills—ensuring that the student is reading to truly understand the material, not just to memorize and repeat it later. Skills to increase reading comprehension may include highlighting the text and making notes in the margins or on a separate sheet of paper; pausing to look up definitions of unknown words; dividing large sections of text or chapters into smaller portions to read separately, and taking breaks as needed; and stopping after each section to answer questions or rephrase what was just read into one's own words.

During a class or other type of instruction, other study skills become important—listening and note-taking in particular. Students must learn to take notes that are comprehensive enough that they will make sense later, but not so detailed that the student misses important class discussion. Pausing to ask questions may also increase comprehension. Many students also find that sitting near the front of the room makes it easier to listen closely. In general, taking effective notes will also employ many of the same skills as reading comprehension, including highlighting important points and rephrasing key concepts in the student's own words to ensure understanding, not just memorization. Following the class, it is important for the student to review the notes and fill in any missing information, and continue to try to repeat and reinforce the information in his or her own words—with the exception of technical terms, which may require verbatim memorization.

When it comes time to prepare for the test, these notes will be invaluable and will also help to reduce stress. Test-taking is a key study skill, from the preparation for the test—including reviewing notes and practicing recalling the key information—to actually taking the test in an organized and focused way, followed by the process of learning from any mistakes. Many students test their own knowledge by creating flash cards with the information to be tested; the cards may be used independently or with a study partner or group.

Another key study skill, in school and in the workplace, is the ability to write and communicate clearly. In many programs of higher education, essays and research papers make up the vast majority of work. The most effective writers often begin with an outline of the paper they will write, as well as a specific argument or theory that they are trying to prove, either through their own work or through the collected research of others. Before turning in a completed paper, they will thoroughly edit and revise their work for clarity, and will proofread for correct grammar and spelling—often, a study partner can be quite helpful in reviewing another student's work for this purpose.

Like any skill, study skills become stronger and more habitual as they are reinforced. Until they become a habit, students are often encouraged to develop their skills by making a weekly or daily to-do list and using it to prioritize tasks and to set aside time each day for studying; joining a study group with other motivated students; and always studying in a particular spot (for instance, at a desk or in the library, rather than in bed) to minimize distractions and increase alertness.

Research & Theory

The benefits of possessing effective study skills do not end when formal education has concluded. The skills of listening closely, reading critically for comprehension, taking clear notes, and recalling and applying new knowledge are important lifelong abilities, particularly in the workplace. Students who develop strong study skills are not just more likely to earn higher grades and remain in school until graduation, but they will also have a smoother transition into the workplace, where they will be expected to learn, understand, and retain what they are taught.

Research has shown that beyond the most often referenced study skills, such as reading comprehension and note-taking, there are additional ways for people of all ages to learn that may be less traditional but equally effective. For instance, when children engage more of their senses—touch, smell, taste, or body movement—they are often more engaged in learning and in forming lasting memories. Adolescent and adult learners can apply these same principles. In addition, studies show that providing oneself with incentives—even something as simple as visualizing the accomplishment of a task or the satisfaction felt after learning something new or succeeding on a test—can make the actual process of studying more engaging.

Educational researchers also understand that individuals all learn differently. The most common model in educational theory is called the VARK model, which breaks students into four categories of learning: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Each one of these types of students will learn best from a different style of teaching and perhaps a different study method. Put simply, visual students learn best by seeing information and envisioning relationships, while auditory learners gather their information by hearing it spoken and then repeating it back. Reading/writing learners are most effective when they are working with the written word; they might struggle with a formal lecture, for example, where handouts or notes are not provided. Finally, kinesthetic learners prefer to be hands-on, learning through tactile experiences with their hands and bodies. They are most likely to be up and moving around, learning through doing. Each student might not fall into one particular category; many simply learn best through one of these methods, while needing to employ additional skills to retain information that is provided through another method.

As technology continues to advance, students may also find benefit and enhanced ability to study and retain information through the use of technological devices and computer programs. Advances in neuroscience are also facilitating greater understanding among researchers identifying the ways in which people learn, develop new memories, and apply their knowledge. This understanding will inevitably lead to new methods of teaching and recommendations for self-directed study.

Regardless of an individual's learning style or background, research shows that the ability to develop and apply study skills is beneficial throughout one's life, and students may begin developing and employing the skills at any age. It is the responsibility of educators not just to teach material, but also to facilitate the development of these integral abilities for students to succeed throughout the entirety of their educational careers.

Bibliography

"Academic Success: Study Skills." Penn State Division of Undergraduate Studies, dus.psu.edu/academicsuccess/studyskills.html. Accessed 8 Dec. 2017.

Cottrell, Stella. The Study Skills Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Jordan, John, et al. "Effect of Study Skills Program Participation on Undergraduate Student Academic Performance." International Journal of Education, vol. 7, no. 1, 2015.

O'Reilly, Tenaha, and John Sabatini. "Using Advances in Cognitive Science to Improve Students Study Skills and Reading Comprehension." Interventions in Learning Disabilities: A Handbook on Systematic Training Programs for Individuals with Learning Disabilities, edited by Rachel Schiff and R. Malatesha Joshi, Springer, 2016, pp. 139–159.

"Top 10 Study Skills." Lynchburg College, www.lynchburg.edu/academics/tutoring-academic-support/top-10-study-skills/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2017.

Wernersbach, Brenna, et al. "Study Skills Course Impact on Academic Self-Efficacy." Journal of Developmental Education, vol. 37, no. 4, 2014, pp. 14–23.

"What Are Study Skills?" Skills You Need, www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/study-skills.html. Accessed 8 Dec. 2017.