Top 5 Tips for Studying

If you’re anything like me, studying isn’t something that comes all that naturally. Concentrating is hard for us all, especially when you'd much rather be doing something else (sleeping). Here’s a few tips that I swear by, and that my friends all use too!

1) Set up a timetable and organise your time

Revision/Study timetables are very popular, and for a good reason too. They help keep you organised and help you plan your schedule. They are a great way to fit studying around your lessons and make sure that you have plenty of time to complete coursework and revise. There are plenty of timetables out there to choose from, some you can print out and some that are digital!

Making sure that your time is organised is incredibly important, wasting time is a huge problem and can throw you off big time! Therefore keeping to a timetable makes it much easier to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time. Utilise your time in college, the more you do in your free time during college hours, the less you have to study outside of college.

2) Get a quiet study space

It’s almost impossible to study when it’s loud, busy and full of people. There can be a lot of distractions around so finding a quiet place to study is important. Whether you work better sat on your own or with friends, there’s always a place to study. If you prefer being on your own, the silent study in the Library is a brilliant place to book out. I often booked out tables with my friends in the library and got laptops. We just put our headphones on and got to work.

3) Turn off your phone

If anyone I know is reading this - Yes I know I should have taken my own (and your) advice a bit more. We’re a generation of people that are glued to their phones. Which is great, we learn and socialise through it. But when it comes to studying, just turn it off or put it on silent. It’s too much of a distraction!

4) Set a timer and work in intervals

Generally the rule is work for 50 minutes and rest for 20. If you keep at this routine it will help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your sessions. Don’t be afraid to have time to relax. Get something to eat, go for a walk, text your friends back.

5) Eat well and stay hydrated

A lot of people don’t drink enough water or eat enough food when studying. Have snacks and try and drink a bottle of water every few hours. It really helps with concentration. You can’t focus if you’re hungry.