Study Skills

Study skills are the techniques used to organize learning, particularly in preparation for an exam, assignment, or other test of knowledge. Strong study skills are essential to success in school at all levels, and can also carry over into the ability to do well on tasks later in life at home and at work. Studying may be assigned as homework or undertaken independently, and may take different forms, such as processing new information, memorization, practice, or preparation for a specific type of assessment. Study skills are the processes meant to aid those goals, and can themselves be categorized in many ways. Some of the common broad skill sets involved include the ability to set manageable tasks and organize priorities, the ability to concentrate and focus, and the use of study aids ranging from an appropriate workspace to organizational equipment or software.

While intelligence and prior comprehension of a subject benefit studying, study skills are a separate skill set that can be developed independently. Practicing strong study strategies can allow anyone to master a subject to the best of their ability. Because study skills play such a large role in students’ success, many schools have placed increased emphasis on teaching such techniques and encouraging their use. Some teachers may even require students to follow certain organizational methods in order to develop study habits, especially for younger children.

Core Skills and Competencies

The core features of excellent study skills are relatively basic, broad concepts. The main areas of concern include organization, time management, and the ability to focus. Because of the variety in learning styles, every student will have their preferred strategies, which may vary between projects and differ from classmates’ methods. These learning styles include visual, aural, verbal, physical (kinesthetic), logical, social, and solitary. Identifying the techniques that work best for each individual is key to developing strong study skills; determining one’s learning type can be a useful guide to studying. However, there are also basic best practices that can apply to most cases.

One of the most important study skills is organization. Being well-organized means the materials needed to study can be easily found and put to use efficiently. This begins with the work environment—a place that promotes all other positive study habits. The ideal place depends on the person, as some need silence to concentrate while others prefer background noise. It is recommended that students designate a location exclusively for study, whether as small as a desk or as large as a library, and keep it separate from other routine activities (as opposed to studying in bed or in a dining hall). Regular allotments of time should be spent working there. This sets a precedent for the brain and helps reduce distraction.

Materials should be organized to clearly show what needs to be worked on, what requirements must be met, and when deadlines are. Subjects or projects should be maintained separately so that items do not become confused; for example, the protractor is kept with the geometry book so that time is not wasted searching for it. Individual notebooks or binders may help keep order when transporting materials from classes to the workspace.

Often, one of the most valuable tools for organization and time management is a calendar or organizer. Due dates, tests, and other activities can be planned in the long term to avoid conflicts and allot the proper study time for each assignment, especially as priorities evolve. For individual study sessions, a schedule of tasks can be made. An organizer can be as simple as a paper calendar or as complex as a time management app on a smartphone.

Paying attention in class is an important step that affects the rest of the study process. Actively listening and asking questions improves learning and information retention, and many teachers offer extra help after hours to clarify ideas. Fully reading all assignments is essential; using skimming and review techniques can aid comprehension if needed. Note-taking also helps the brain process information and provides a reference for the future. If an absence from class is necessary, students can arrange to get any class handouts and share a classmate’s notes to avoid falling behind on work, which can cause a chain reaction of poor study habits.

It is also important to maintain a healthy physical and mental state in order to maximize the brain’s learning capacity. Overstudying to the point of exhaustion and stress can have a negative impact on academic performance and health, and is less effective for information retention than a series of shorter study sessions. Study breaks are beneficial, and it is important for students to make time for exercise and leisure activities along with schoolwork.

Effective Study Methods and Habits of Students

There are many specific study techniques, some aimed at particular subjects. For example, memorization can be critical in mathematics and science, and mnemonics may be used for remembering key equations or lists. For verbal learners, mnemonics, as well as reading notes or texts aloud while studying, are especially beneficial for retaining material. Another popular method used by kinesthetic and visual learners in many disciplines is flash card training, in which index cards are marked with questions or images on one side and answers on the other side and used in memorization drills. The physical act of writing terms or concepts on the cards can help engage the parts of the brain needed for these types of learners to study effectively.

In general, kinesthetic learners trying to learn a certain skill should be actively involved in that exercise as much as possible; role playing, conducting experiments, constructing models, and giving demonstrations are just some helpful methods. Others may use visual techniques such as highlighting textbook passages, graphic organizers, watching videos, or creating diagrams. Additionally, some visual learners replace words or terms with symbols or pictures to increase the association. For logical learners, who are adept at finding patterns and using reasoning skills to solve problems, memorization may not be as effective; instead, these students may focus on establishing relationships between components or terms to help them understand the whole concept. Aural learners, on the other hand, sometimes find listening to music while studying aids in retention, especially if they can change the words to a favorite song to include lines about the subject being studied. Creating simple rhymes can also be an effective tool for aural learners who respond well to rhythm and lyrical structure.

Other general strategies that have been used involve attempts to make the actual study process easier, and in doing so, improve learning. Collaboration may be highly useful in some contexts, as sharing ideas can provide insights and dividing tasks can improve focus. Social learners typically find studying in a group helpful and will often spend time teaching others the material, thereby learning the concepts more concretely themselves in the process. There may be shortcuts that can help students avoid spending time or energy on minor details; using abbreviations in notes and emphasizing comprehension of main ideas rather than details are some examples. Some may find meditation or other mental training to aid the ability to focus.

Research and Theory

Scholars and the general public have long been interested in what makes for effective learning. Many researchers have examined study skills in an effort to determine best practices, and self-help guides and courses for students have developed into a major industry. Schools and colleges have attempted to integrate study skills training into their curricula and as an extra resource for students. Research has shown that many students perform better through active learning, or the use of activities and engagement to encourage a broad understanding of a subject and its context, as opposed to passive learning through listening to lectures.

Study skills theory has evolved along with broader educational theory. Much traditional instruction emphasized rote learning and memorization, which can be effective in some cases but does not fit the learning style of all students. Twentieth-century social and educational reforms, such as the work of educator John Dewey, began to stress critical thinking skills, which led to more alternative forms of study becoming popular. As more and more students pursued higher education in the second half of the century, greater attention was given to providing support to students throughout their entire education. In particular, many educators have focused on the development of study skills in young students and preparation for the increased difficulty of studying in college.

As a student progresses from elementary school to high school to college, there is a growing expectation that the student is capable of doing more of the work of learning. It is also expected that the student is putting in the time to do that work and becoming an increasingly active learner. This psychological progression is made easier when students are prepared for the greater responsibilities at each step and are aware of the best ways to organize their learning and operate efficiently. The development of strong study habits can significantly shape a person and carry directly over into their personal conduct and success in the professional world, even if they no longer study in the academic sense.

Breakthroughs in psychology and neuroscience have pointed to the critical role the brain plays in learning. Evidence has shown that under optimal conditions the brain works better, faster, and retains more information, which can be used to optimize study strategies. Some of the key factors identified include rest, hydration, stimulation or enjoyment, lack of stress, and repetition. By reinforcing these conditions through study techniques, learning can potentially be enhanced. Learning new material is not always easy or fun. Some classes may require more reading attention and dedication than others, again often depending on the student’s type of learning. But by understanding and practicing the study skills that best work for them, students of all types can tackle even the most difficult material with confidence. Self-discipline and a willingness to use available resources can make a goal far more attainable.

Bibliography

Bass, Alan. Math Study Skills. 2nd ed. Pearson, 2013.

Cottrell, Stella. The Study Skills Handbook. 4th ed. Palgrave, 2013.

Dawson, Catherine. Basic Study Skills: A Practical Guide to Learning for All Students. Oxford: How To, 2013.

Langan, John. Reading and Study Skills. 10th ed. McGraw, 2013.

"Learning from Digital Materials—What Strategies Work Best?" The Learning Strategies Center, Cornell University, lsc.cornell.edu/learning-from-digital-materials/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024.

Loveless, Becton. "Discover Your Learning Style." Education Corner, 24 Apr. 2024, www.educationcorner.com/learning-styles/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024.

Muchnick, Cynthia Clumeck, and Justin Ross Muchnick. Straight-A Study Skills: More Than 200 Essential Strategies to Ace Your Exams, Boost Your Grades, and Achieve Lasting Academic Success. Adams, 2013.