STEP 3: START LEARNING


STEP 3: START LEARNING


In college you are expected to do a large part of your learning on your own with at least 14 hours of independent study (for full-time students) every week. This will include reading, studying, completing assessments and may also involve working in groups with other students to complete projects. Work-life balance is important so keep any job commitments to between 10 - 15 hrs per week.

The sooner you get into a good study groove, the easier everything will be and the more your chances of getting good marks will improve. Here are our top 9 tips for getting the most out of study. The library also has a guide covering study skills in more detail.


STUDY EVERYDAY AND MIX IT UP

If you take a few hours each day to study, you will absorb the material much better. This helps you better understand your subjects and avoid the stress off last-minute cramming!

A little goes a long way - Early in the academic year, an hour or two a day might be enough to help you keep on top of things. Later in the year, you might need to study more each day. If you're finding it tough to find time for time, cut back on some - but not all - of your other activities. Prioritising study might mean spending less time with your friends, or it might mean cutting back on shifts at work.

Mix it up - Studies have shown that you are more likely to make good progress and get more done if you spend the day doing smaller amounts of a number of subjects rather than focusing on a single class. Your brain becomes tired of studying the same topic after a while and can be recharged and reinvigorated by switching between different subjects. Try it and see for yourself!


READ, REVIEW AND REVISE

By preparing for classes and coursework in advance, you will be able to make the best use of your time to complete your coursework. At least once a week you should go back over the topics you've studied in class. Thinking things over can help you to understand the key concepts and help you remember them better.

Use CityLife and Canvas - Get into the habit of reading class materials, such as PowerPoint presentations and case studies, in advance of your class. This will help you get a sense of topics and content and aid understanding.

Use your textbook to your advantage - When completing assigned reading before class, use sticky notes to mark important pages, definitions or explanations. During the class, write down important points or questions covered. Afterward, go back to your textbook and use a different coloured sticky note to mark those points and make sure you understand.

Quiz - Ask a friend or family member to quiz you on key concepts or topics. Offer to help your friends with their work too. Quizzes are great ways to reinforce build confidence, reinforce learning and identify gaps in knowledge.

Create notecards - After class, go over your notes and try to condense the themes and important points of the lecture onto a single notecard. Incorporate relevant sections from your textbooks. Some things to include are: important terms and definitions, equations, dates and/or names. When you go to study for the exam, or assignment, look over the flashcards you’ve created for each lecture to make sure you know all the main points. This way you learn it all twice: once when you make the study materials and once when you use them to revise or write an assignment.

Record yourself reading your notes out loud - Not only will you learn more as you record, but now you can listen to the material while you walk to class. This method is especially helpful for auditory learners! Don’t want to listen to your own voice? Then ask a friend to record your notes!


SET UP, OR JOIN A STUDY GROUP

Team up with other students in your class to create a study group at the beginning of each block. You can even set up an online shared drive to make and share study materials.

Review Content - You can review class topics, ask each other questions and when group projects come around, you’ll already be used to working with one another.

Share Strategies - Everyone learns in different ways, so you may learn some new strategies from your classmates.


ASK FOR HELP

Your lecturers will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the subject material. If you're having trouble with a subject, if something just doesn't seem to make sense, or you want to make sure you are studying the right topics, make a list of questions to ask your lecturer.


THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

There are loads of apps out there for helping you be productive and study well. Have a chat with your friends and teachers or lecturers to see which apps they recommend. Check out Step 6 - Use Technology for our specific guide.


PICK A PLACE TO STUDY

Everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study. So find a study space that works for you and stick with it. The libraries at City and Riverside campus have spaces that may help you:

  • Quiet, individual study spaces for spreading out with your textbooks.

  • Access to computers and the option to borrow a laptop for use in the library.

  • Group spaces available for working and studying as a team.

  • City Campus has bookable hubs on Level 3 and a silent study room on Level 5.


SET UP YOUR STUDY SPACE

Your study space should be quiet, comfortable and distraction-free. It should make you feel happy and inspired. You should separate yourself from any distractions so you can give your college work the full attention it deserves. Make sure those around you understand when your study time is so they can allow you to focus without distractions. Decorate it with your favourite pictures or objects. If you want to listen to music, pick a space that lets you do that without distracting others!

If it’s a nice day, study outside

City and Riverside campus have some great outdoor spaces which are perfect for studying on a nice day.

  • Bells Park at City Campus.

  • The quad at Riverside Campus.

  • The courtyard at City Campus.

  • 7th floor roof garden at City Campus.


PICK A TIME TO STUDY

Find your best time - Some people work better in the evening. Others work better during the day. Find our which time suits you and plan to study then. Don't study much later than your normal bedtime -– pushing yourself late at night can make you too tired to study properly.


AVIOD SOCIAL MEDIA

The more you can stay focused on your studying, the better the result! If this means locking your door, turning off your phone and getting away from Instagram, then do it. It’s very easy to get side-tracked once your attention drifts, so anything you have that could possibly interrupt you should be shut off and out of site.

  • Use social media as reward - Use it as something to do with when you have done a good spell of studying.

  • Discipline yourself - Be strict with yourself and don’t let social media ruin your chances!


NOW COME WITH YOUR OWN STRATEGIES

These tips are only some of the things you can do to get the most out of your studying and you might already have other things that work better for you. Whatever it is, whatever strategy you come up with, when you find something that works for you, go for it!


USEFUL LINKS AND VIDEOS

STUDENT SUPPORT INFORMATION

If you can’t see what you are looking for visit our website at Student Support
or contact studentservices@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk or telephone 0141 375 5191/5192


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