Study method

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How to optimise your study method? Preview Attend the courses Review your notes Study Check Prepare for exams How to proceed?

How to optimise your study method?

So many textbooks and lectures … how to study it all!?

Tackle it step by step:

  1. Preview
  2. Attend the courses
  3. Review your notes
  4. Study
  5. Check
  6. Prepare for exams

Check the steps of a study process (document) or read them below.

Preview

Begin your study session by briefly orienting yourself with the subject matter. Read through the intertitles, introduction, or conclusion to understand what you will be learning.

Previewing the study material requires minimal time and enhances concentration, understanding, and productivity.

Attend the courses

Students who attend classes tend to achieve higher grades. So, go to your classes and take notes since the professor may cover material not included in the PowerPoint slides or textbooks.

Tips during a(n) (online) lecture:

  • Pay attention and focus on what the teacher is saying

Learn how to listen effectively in class (video, 3’)

  • Take notes: write down the essential concepts with pen and paper or a laptop, whatever you prefer

Online classes?

Check our e-module distance learning for tips on online classes (website)

Online recorded lectures?

Use a similar approach to in-person classes:

  • Write down the key points and noteworthy examples
  • Pause the recording if necessary,
    ! Avoid the temptation to transcribe every detail, as this can be time-consuming

Boredom can strike more than in a regular lecture, so stay active while listening. Take notes, draw a scheme, or write down your questions.

Review your notes

After the lecture, read through your notes and look for gaps.

  • Have you written down all the essential information?
  • Did you miss out on something?
  • Is everything clear?

Study

After the lectures, it's time to study.
This is what you do during autonomous learning:

Read the course material

Most courses will provide a textbook, articles or a reader.
The professor might not cover all the subject matter in the lectures, so read your assigned literature.
Given that reading can be time-consuming, aim to complete the necessary chapters each week and avoid falling behind.

TIP

Ensure to allocate weekly reading time to stay on track with the material

Do you have scientific literature on your reading list?

Do you read too slowly?

Did you know…
… that reading can be significantly slower for students with dyslexia?
… you can rent text-to-speech software at Hasselt University. Contact the disability officer for more information.

Do you struggle to focus while reading?

Add structure

To study your course material efficiently, structure it. A well-defined structure will enhance your understanding and retention of the subject matter.
Various methods exist for organising your course material:

Annotate and highlight

Create an elaborate table of contents

Take the table of contents from your textbook and add all subtitles and critical concepts.

Create a schematic representation

Explore various types of schematics and select the one that aligns best with your preferences and the nature of your subject matter.

  • A mindmap
    A mind map, resembling a spider diagram, provides a visual overview of your subject matter. Consider using it as an alternative to a table of contents.
    Discover how you draw a mindmap scheme (video, 2')
    You can draw mindmaps with pen and paper or with one of these mind-mapping apps (website)

  • A concept map
    A concept map illustrates connections between various concepts. Utilise it to depict specific sections of your course material.
    Read everything about concept mapping (website)
    You can draw concept maps by hand or with specific concept mapping software (website)

Write summaries

A summary is an abstract of all your course material.
Before summarising all the course material, explore more efficient methods of structuring and organising it. 
Tips on how to summarise (video, 5’)

TIP
Combine different structuring strategies to make sure you fully understand the material.

Do you have difficulties finding the main idea in your course materials?

Prepare for practice sessions

If you have an upcoming practice session, prepare for it. Check Blackboard to know what the teacher expects from you. Then, solve the exercises, do the reading assignments and submit your questions so you can get the most out of your practice sessions.

Study thoroughly

Understanding your subject matter superficially is not sufficient. Dive deep into the learning material to gain profound insight.
These strategies can help you:

Seek connections

Deepen your understanding by identifying links between lectures and your textbook, different chapters or subjects, and current events.
This is how you can make connections (video, 3’)

Transform the subject matter

Use ‘dual coding’:

  • Try to make a visual representation of your written study material (make a drawing or diagram)
  • Describe visual material like figures and graphics in your own words. 
    This way, you use both your brain hemispheres and learn more!
  • Dual coding: This is how you do it (infographic)
  • Learn how to combine words and visuals (video, 2’)

Did you know…
… Using visuals can have positive effects on your memory?

Ask (yourself) questions

Engage in self-inquiry by posing questions about the subject matter (e.g., why does this occur? How does it function?) and try to answer them. This approach fosters deeper insight.

TIP
Are there questions you can't answer? Ask your fellow students or the teaching team.
Does a fellow student have questions? Try to answer them.
Explaining the content matter to someone else is an excellent study strategy.

Explain

Take the time to explain every theory, exercise, formula, etc., step by step to yourself or someone else. This process will deepen your understanding as you thoroughly clarify each aspect. 
Find out how it exactly works:

Look for concrete examples

Seek examples from your daily life, the news, and other relevant sources, and relate them to the learning material. This will provide you with greater insight and aid in memorisation.

Make exercises

Make (new) exercises yourself to assess your comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Do you have problems solving (mathematical or scientific) problems?

Don't take it too easy

Do not think too early: 'Yeah, I understand everything (more or less)'.
You only learn thoroughly when you challenge yourself.
How do you do that? Check out:

TIP
Use flashcards to assess your understanding of various concepts and ensure familiarity with all relevant formulas and definitions.
You can write them with pen and paper or use one of these flashcard apps (website)

Bring variation to your study method

For instance, avoid reading the same textbook all day; instead, vary your study routine by incorporating exercises or alternating between subjects.

Check

Check if you’re on track:

  • Do you keep up with the tasks and reading each week?
  • Do you have a thorough understanding of the course material?
  • Can you independently solve new exercises or problems?

If you encounter any challenges, seek assistance.
You can reach out to:

  • Your teacher, with any subject-related questions
  • Your study coach for guidance on how to study

Prepare for exams

A few weeks before your first exam, prepare by memorising and reviewing the learning material and completing additional exercises.

Memorise

To prepare for the exam, you must embed the subject matter firmly in your mind.
Here's how you can do that:

Start early

Avoid cramming; studying all the material the day before the exam is impossible.
Instead, spread out your study sessions over time to make it easier to retain everything.

Tip
Since you need to study a lot, a study schedule can be helpful.

Use retrieval practice

Actively retrieve information from your memory: 'teach' yourself what you have learned. Use the table of contents or your mind maps and explain what you recall about each title or keyword.
Be sure to review and reinforce any points you may have forgotten afterwards!

Combine words and visuals

Combining words and visuals during learning enhances your ability to remember.
Here's how to use 'dual coding':

Create visual representations of your written study material, such as drawings or diagrams
Describe visual materials like figures and graphics in your own words

Switch between subjects

Switch between different topics or assignments while studying a course.

For example, completing the related exercises or reviewing the previous two chapters consecutively after finishing one theory chapter. This approach strengthens your memory and helps you make connections more easily.

Mnemonics

Mnemonics, or memory aids, can help you remember factual information more easily.

Check yourself

Don't just rely on your memory; test yourself. Self-testing helps you verify your knowledge and reinforces your memory.

You can test yourself using sample exam questions, self-made exam questions, flashcards, and objectives in the study guide/...

Are you studying too slowly?

Lots of study material but limited time?
Get to know 25 techniques to learn faster and better (infographic)

Useful apps
These handy apps can help you memorise and revise your learning material (website)

Are you a perfectionist?
Discover how to keep your perfectionism in balance (website)

Create a helpful study environment

  • Organise yourself

Ensure you are ready to start preparing for the exams two weeks before your first exam.
Choose a suitable study location.

Make an achievable study schedule

  • Stay healthy

Ensure a healthy mind and body, especially during the exam period.

Discover more guidelines for a healthy student lifestyle on this website.

  • Take regular breaks

Take regular breaks to recharge your brain. Well-chosen breaks will give you new energy.
Learn more about effective break strategies on our 'Time Management' website.

  • Feed your focus

Maintain your concentration with the tips and information on our website, 'Focus'.

  • Keep up your motivation

As a student, you are your coach.
Discover sources of inspiration to maintain motivation on our website.

(Re)do exercises

Are you studying a course which includes exercises?

  • Do the exercises (again)
  • Also, do additional exercises
  • This way, you can check whether you have mastered the learning material

! Solve the exercises by yourself.
You won't learn much by simply reading through solutions.

Repetition and revision

Repeating or reviewing your study material improves your memory.
See the effect of repetition on your memory in the forgetting curve (document)

  • How can you revise
  • Review everything you studied using your table of contents (read a title and reproduce the rest from memory)
  • Review the connections between the chapters
  • Repeat the most difficult exercises of each type

Did you know that…

… Rereading is not an efficient way to review? Reading and recognising the course matter is not as strong as retrieval practice and describing the subject matter to yourself!

Learn more about the effect of active repetition and how to do it (video, 5')

Make a schedule

A well-structured schedule can help you study consistently, process the learning material promptly and thoroughly, and prevent you from running out of time.

How to proceed?

Time to try some things

This website offers many tips on how to study. Now:

  • Write down the ideas and tips you want to try
  • Choose one idea or tip to start with
  • Pick a date and a time and try out the new idea

Check out our topic, ‘self-regulation’, for more tips to make your resolutions successful.

Make an appointment

Would you like some personal advice on your study method?
Would you like to discuss how to study your course material personally with a study coach?

→ Don’t hesitate to make a free appointment with one of the study coaches of your programme, online or on campus! The study coaches are happy to help you.

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