Looking for the best study techniques for university students to boost your academic performance? Discover proven and effective study strategies that actually work and help you study smarter, not harder. University students are always searching for the best study strategies for students to improve their academic performance. Many students have likely searched for phrases like ‘study techniques for students’ or ‘best study strategies for students’ at some point in their academic life. Looking for such information is even more common in university students as they fail to change their strategies as per the demands of the course.
Most students develop study strategies that work well during school, but these often fall short at the university level. This often shows in the form of poor academic performance, stress, feelings of burnout, etc. Thus, knowing the best study techniques becomes very important. In this article, we will explore the 7 best study techniques that actually work for university students.
Why Do Effective Study Techniques Matter?
There are many approaches to study. However, a few are termed ‘effective strategies’ because they help students achieve the same goal more easily, in less time, and with strategic efforts. Using these effective tips improves the performance of students by enabling better retention, faster learning, and building critical thinking and analytical skills. All these in turn lead to better grades and less stress, which are much needed for overall well-being and long-term success.
Also Read How to Study for University Exams: 13 Best Study Tips
These techniques make learning easier and more fun as compared to rote learning and also allow students to engage in other extracurricular activities. Thus, students must always try to adopt these techniques and tips rather than just mugging up concepts without understanding them.
Top 7 Study Techniques That Actually Work
1. Active Recall And Spaced Repetition
Active recall is often termed the most effective and high-yield learning technique. Active recall simply requires you to go through whatever material you are given and then try to recall the contents without referring to it. This approach is considered much more effective than passive recall or simply re-reading the text.
Using active recall also helps in recognizing which areas of material need more preparation, thus allowing students to focus more on difficult portions.
Another very effective study technique is Spaced Repetition. This technique involves reading the material once and then reviewing it at spaced-out intervals. For example, if you study a module today, you may review it tomorrow, then after 3 days and then after 5 days. This ensures that you are reviewing your material thoroughly before you completely forget it, leading to better retention of information.
2. Pomodoro Technique
A survey by the National Library of Medicine shows that taking predetermined breaks, such as those in Pomodoro, has effective benefits. This technique, invented in the late 1980s, helps greatly in effectively completing tasks without feeling burnout. In this technique, you just have to focus on a subject for typically 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break. Follow this cycle 3-4 times, and finally take a 15-20 minute break.
If you feel focused beyond 25 minutes and still want to continue, you can extend the session to 50 minutes and take a 10-minute break.
Similarly, working for 90 minutes followed by a longer 20- to 30-minute break has also been shown to be effective.
Tip: Using a timer app like Focus To-Do can help implement the Pomodoro Technique effectively by managing study sessions and breaks with ease.
3. Visual Learning With Mind Maps And Diagrams
Visual learning is the form of learning through visual formats such as graphs, cartoons, posters, movies, diagrams, etc. It has been scientifically proven that pictures are easier to comprehend and recall for the brain as compared to text. By learning something visually, one can improve their retention power multiple times.
Visual aids can be effectively used for various subjects, such as history for timelines, geography for diagrams of structures and evolution patterns, mathematics for derivations and graphs, and economics for studying market trends, financial arrangements, accounts, etc. For example, while studying biology, a color-coded mind map can be used to visualize the human digestive system, which helps in remembering complex processes more easily during exams.
4. Note-Taking Methods
Taking notes is one of the best ways to condense large amounts of text into manageable content for exams and better comprehension. Depending on your needs and the content of the subject, you may select a method that works best for you.
For example, the Cornell method structures notes into the main notes area, a column for key points or questions, and a section for summary. It is best for subjects such as law and humanities, where the content is more structured.
Another method, the Outline Method, organizes details in a logical sequence. It is ideal for subjects such as history, geography, case laws, etc.
The Mapping method is another useful technique of note-taking that uses visual structures called mind maps to show the relation between concepts. It is most effective for subjects such as science, economics, geography, etc.
Tip: Using the Cornell Method during lectures can help organize key points, questions, and summaries in a structured format that’s easy to revise later.
5. Teach What You Learn
The Feynman Technique, proven to be one of the most effective ways of learning, focuses on explaining a topic in a very simplistic manner, often assuming that you are explaining to a child. This method helps in identifying the areas that need more learning, and focusing on them helps reinforce your understanding and memory of a concept.
You can try to add your own examples to make this technique even more effective.
For example, after learning a concept in economics, a student can try explaining it to a friend in simple terms, which reinforces their own understanding and highlights any gaps in knowledge.
6. Study Environment and Time Management
Your study environment and time management dictate much of your effectiveness. Having a distraction-free study environment plays a crucial role in creating a healthy and concentrated study environment. To reduce distractions, you can try to keep your phone away, turn off the T.V., and take small breaks to avoid burnout.
Try to study in a comfortable, well-lit space with all necessary materials—like stationery and books—readily available.
Try making a to-do list in advance to save time. You may also plan your schedule in terms of time by using techniques such as Pomodoro.
Tip: Creating a daily to-do list and studying in a quiet, well-lit space can significantly improve focus and reduce wasted time.
7. Seek Academic Help
Help is just a step away if you ever need it. You may start feeling bored or overwhelmed after extended periods of studying. To avoid any mental breakdowns, it is important to always seek help from your friends, family, professors, or even platforms such as Assignment Helper. Explore every possible resource to make this journey easier for yourself while getting the most out of your efforts.
Also read 6 Best Assignment Help Websites for Students (Trusted & Affordable!)
These study techniques have been well-researched and proven to significantly improve retention and comprehension for students. Begin by taking small, consistent steps—like setting up a healthy study environment, seeking timely help, using note-taking methods, and working to attain consistency in all these. For help at any step, you can try platforms like Assignment Helper to deal with any problems in your learning process. Start now and make the most of your efforts.
FAQs About Best Study Strategies For Students
1. What are the most effective study techniques for university students?
The most effective techniques for university students focus on active engagement with the text rather than passive reading. For example, active recall requires you to test yourself by trying to recall the text you study. Other techniques, such as Pomodoro, help with time management, and note-taking methods, such as the Cornell method, help in providing structure to your material.
For maximum benefits, use all of these together while also ensuring consistency and practicality in your approach.
2. How can I stay motivated to study?
Staying motivated often gets difficult while studying. For staying motivated, it is important to keep taking planned, short breaks between study sessions. Setting realistic goals in your to-do list helps you feel accomplished and stay motivated. You may also try to reward yourself after completing a task to remain consistent.
Overall, try to stick to a routine that is not monotonous but productive, with breaks and rewards.
3. What should I do if I’m struggling to keep up with my studies?
Firstly, remember that it is normal to struggle and fall back on studies. When falling behind, consider seeking professional help from platforms like Assignment Helper or reaching out to professors, friends, or family, and other online resources.
Try to break your task into smaller goals and focus on the harder tasks first. But while doing all of this, do not forget to focus on your mental health and overall well-being.
4. How many hours a day should I study at University?
Studying for a fixed number of hours is not as important as studying effectively. Thus, your focus should be more on studying effectively rather than studying for a fixed number of hours.
But in terms of hours, 3-5 hours of consistent and effective studying can help in managing studies well.
5. Can study techniques help improve exam performance?
Yes, using the right and effective study techniques can significantly help in improving exam performance. You may try techniques such as Active Recall, Feynman technique, Pomodoro techniques, Note-taking methods such as Cornell method, Mind mapping, etc. to get the best out of your efforts. Along with these, try to stay organized, consistent and healthy!