Study Techniques & Time Management

If your studying techniques aren’t working for you or if you’re looking for new ways to study, definitely read on! Everybody studies in different ways and it is important to find one that suits you. Through my time at UBC, I’ve picked up a couple tips and tricks along the way that helped me nail a solid study method.

1) BE ORGANIZED

Being organized is my biggest tip for you guys. Having a place where you can find all your notes for specific sections is very important. For me, I have a different notebook for each subject that contains all the notes and course material. People who like more of an online digital way can definitely use Google Drive or any kind of online folder where you have all your PowerPoint slides within it. 

2) My Study Techniques:

• Quizlets 

  • For courses that require you to remember a bunch of key terms, Quizlet is the way to go! This helped me a lot through KIN 110 for all the muscles and their origins and insertions. I also downloaded the app on my phone which was very convenient and easy to study on the go. 

• Separate Notebooks

  • As mentioned before, I like writing my lecture notes in a separate notebook for each course which helps me to stay organized. A technique that I use to solidify my knowledge is by reading the content aloud in my room. 

• Studying with friends

  • If you’re someone that likes to have a conversation with your friends about the material to better reinforce your learning, definitely make a study group. In an online environment, you can have a Discord study channel where you can study in silence or have times when you quiz each other. My biggest point here is to make sure you come prepared to study sessions! (don’t expect your friends to teach you everything!)

3) Managing Your Time Efficiently

• Make Schedules! 

  • Before starting your week, I like make a schedule for each day of the subjects I  will study

  • Before I start studying on that day, I make a time frame for each subject and what I will be doing (ie. worksheet review, studying notes etc.) 

• Taking Breaks 

  • You can avoid getting burnt out by using the Pomodoro Technique. This consists of 25 minutes of studying followed by 5 minutes of break. You can keep on repeating this and use an alarm to keep you on track

  • When you take a break, try to go outside or talk to your family members! 

I hope you can use some of these studying techniques in the future. Just a reminder to not beat yourself up when you don’t complete everything you schedule out to do! Always prioritize your mental health and know that everything is a learning experience! 

Good luck,

Amanda 💚