Which method of studying is the best? If you ask the psychology representative at Samford you might be surprised to hear their view on this.

According to Dr Chew, it has more to do with What you are thinking at the time rather than how you are studying.

In this 5 part video studying course, the good folk from Samford's psychology department dissect the elements to being a successful student.

A Case Study

An investigation took place (seen in video 2) where students were split among 5 groups with one of those groups being the mandatory control group. The task what presented by giving the students words to memorise. Two of the groups did not even know they had to memorise the words.

The other variable in this experiment was that two of the groups also had to count the number of letter E in each word. The other two were, rather than count the number of Es, to describe how they felt. An example of this was the word dance. How do I feel about dancing?

The results were that those counting the number of Es scored significantly lower than those emoting the words. Surprisingly, there was no substantial difference in those who had been warned they would have to recall the words later to those who were more incidental learners.

This brings up the point of shallow vs deep learning.

Deep Learning

Deep learning is what the Samford University supports as the best way to learn. It is essentially making connections between what you learn and avoiding learning (where possible) facts in isolation. It brings your emotions into the picture as well as associations with the other points you have learned.

Some of the ways to  deep learning include:

• Ask Questions
• Use Concept Maps
• Practice retrieving the information

Saving Time In The Long Run

While some of these methods may seem an overkill and time wasting, the fact is that students often underestimate the workload. Using deep learning is a skill that you will get quicker with use over time. However, the reality is, it saves time in the long run by not having to reread a chapter because you skimmed it in the first place.


I invite you to watch the 5 part video series - starting below with video 1 - and submit your thoughts, opinions and comments for discussion. Class is out! :)

It was the first semester of my masters degree. I approached the gaping double doors already running late - public transport was my excuse. Fortunately, I was let into the exam room to complete a paper on a topic I hardly knew anything about!

Perhaps you can relate to this story. Maybe you are more organised in which case I commend you. But in any situation, exams are very stressful. University is very stressful.

Does stress management really exist for students?


Now I'm no expert, but this was not only a big learning curve for me but a real eye opener too. It had been literally years since I studied in a formal setting and I knew I would have to find future ways to safeguard against stress. Fortunately I found them and would like to share three tips with you today.

Study Frequently Not Constantly

Do you ever find yourself studying so hard at the beginning of the semester only to slow to a halt midway. And then worse still, find yourself struggling to catch up at the end?

I know I did.

I attributed this to what I call Manic Studying. The highs and lows of studying. Either I would study too much and burn out (studying constantly) or I would not study enough particularly after my burnout.

I also found that I lost track of time. You know the feeling where you study for so long but at the end of semester couldn't tell anybody how many hours you dedicated for the life of you.

The solution I came up with revolves around a method called Time Boxing which I explain in this post. Time Boxing is a simple technique used to split your activities into managable and timely chunks. I may assign 15mins to one task then switch to another task for 25 mins. It involves the use of a timer.

A few things to note is that:

• Activities can be broken up into smaller tasks
  
• Sessions of 25 - 30 mins work best due to concentration
• Breakaway sessions are integral to prevent 'fidgeting'

Perhaps interestingly is the last point. The breakaway session. This is where you designate a chunk of  time to potential time wasting of obsessional activities such as checking email, Facebook or Twitter. You may allocate 15mins a day but not necessarily use your total 15 mins in one sitting.

Also remember, when studying block after block to at least put a 5 min break per 25 - 30 mins just to chill! This can really help calm the nerves and the ability to know how much study you have done can really reassure you come test time as to whether you 'deserve' that pass ;)


Reward Yourself With Life's Little Pleasures

As previously mentioned, you can have a 5 min break to do what you want...but why stop there? A block of 5 mins to relax may not be the most motivating incentive to keep on 'keeping on'.

That's why you should really treat yourself!

So you clock up 10 hrs worth of study for the week. We'll call them Frequent Study Points. Maybe your reward is a trip to the movies with a friend. Although, this may be a little dangerous. No, not the trip but rather the incentive. Some experts argue that it has nothing to do with study i.e. the trip to the movies. In that case, I would recommend you plan the reward ahead of time.

One way to strengthen the bond between reward and activity is to have them related. I know its not enough for you to say "My reward will be a High Distinction". That is not guaranteed and it is too distant/long-term. I would suggest something like, after 10 hrs of studying, go out to the library with a college friend to discuss your progress and share notes.

This technique adds a flavour of social interaction (assuming it has weighting for you) all the while being related to the task of your academic pursuit.

Remember, studying without breaks and incentives can not only increase stress but create that vicious cycle where you refuse to study at all. Imagine the stress to catch up when you do come to your senses - only days away from that major exam!


Make Your Study A Memorable Experience

Do people still sugar coat their bitter tablets? Well, like sweetening your crushed pills with honey, there are various ways for you to sweeten the study ordeal.

What I find works is association.

Some speakers advocate the use of grounding yourself while studying. An example of this is wearing the same shirt when studying as you do while taking the final exam. By that same token, association can work short term. You can reap the benefits immediately.

Imagine yourself studying in a pristine, tidy environment with tropical rainforest music playing in the background. This creates pleasant memories and you may even relive those memories and look forward to getting back to your environment.

I love studying in my room now it's tidy. I put on some music that has no vocals only sweet sounds. Air fresheners also create a refreshing environment. In my previous semesters of academic studying; I would dread going into my untidy room. It would create bad experiences for me, bad memories and put a curse on studying. Now I look forward to entering into my organised domain. The comfort is worth it on both mental and physical levels.

Conclusion

As you can see, the very simple tweaks in life can really affect the outcome of the overall picture. And this is not just restricted to studying. I'd like to invite you to share some of your secrets for creating a stress free environment and making your formal years of study relaxing!