3 Ways to Maximize Your Study Sessions

Studying is like a sport. There should be demonstration of correct technique, lots of consistent repetition and game day. Yes, every one has different study styles but these 3 techniques can help just about anyone improve their study experience and get more out of their study time. Let me explain.

For most, study skills are never taught. You just figure it out. The truth is you’re always “figuring it out” as the topics, professors and expectations evolve. These are the 3 best study habits that will provide a framework to help you become a high performing “academic athlete”. When you adopt this framework, you will certainly improve study habits.

1. Curiosity & Exploration

This is where all interests start, with curiosity and exploration.

Often, what you hear instead is to just jump right in. So you attempt to read, understand, memorize and analyze all at the same time. That is simply not how the brain works, it’s mentally exhausting. Part of the strategy for successful studying is the ability to sustain until game day. Here’s what works.

This will make it easier to apply higher levels of thinking like analysis and application when you revisit the content. It also tames the feeling of overwhelm that often occurs when you encounter a large amount of new information. All of which will improve your study process and skills.

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2. Never Attend Lecture without Prep

If you want to orient yourself for maximum efficiency with your study time you should never show up for a lecture without having covered the basics about the topic. Good preparation beforehand can tremendously improve study efficiency.

Lecture details may not be available but you can read a text or watch a video beforehand. If you are hearing the basics for the first time as it leaves the lecturer’s mouth you are wasting time.

Lecture is an opportunity for you to ask pointed questions. This is how you transform a broad lecture into one that is customized for your specific needs. That cannot be done without running though the material in advance.

Lecture should be a time of intentional, active listening to gain clarity and build on what you already know. You should be adding structure to an established (even if shaky) foundation. You should execute curiosity and exploration of the material before attending lecture. It is one of the best habits to improve your study skills.

Building the habit of preparation will continue to serve you as a practicing clinician.

3. Zone in on Subheadings

Subheadings are not just a stylistic approach to writing. They usually represent the intent of that section, essentially providing focus to improve your study sessions.

This is the main idea, the key concept you should be able to recall and analyze by the end of the section. It gives you a goal as you work through the material. It turns studying from passive to a specific and active pursuit.

At the end of each section look back at the subtitle and ask yourself:

Can I summarize the content of this section around the title of the subheading?

If not, then reread because you’ve missed the main idea.

The Academic Athlete

I’m not a sports enthusiast but the comparisons between an athlete’s preparation and that of a student are persuasive .

When you first learn a new sport, or a new play you don’t jump right in and execute. The first step is to observe and get an overall sense of what is required of you. You become familiar with the rules and the process (curiosity/exploration). Based on that you come up with a strategy to execute. You work out any kinks or confusion (lecture/questions). Then you drill over and over again until gameday.

A high performing athlete optimizes sleep, nutrition and exercise. A high performing student should do the same. A high performing athlete values preparation, so should a high performing student.

A mindset shift to that of an academic athlete together with these 3 steps will improve study skills.

If you’ve found this unit helpful, I would love to hear from you! Leave a question or comment below.

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