March 2024 Issue

Study Smarter, Not Harder: How to develop study skills beyond cramming

In the journey towards exam preparation, it's crucial to pivot from panic-driven cramming to embracing strategic study habits. If you're just beginning to formulate your study strategy and have previously overlooked advice from various sources, it's time to re-think. The stark reality is that procrastination may impede your ability to achieve top grades due to the undue stress and lack of sleep it often entails.

"Cramming may fill your head for a moment, but true understanding lasts a lifetime." - Unknown

Caution: As a professional tutor and mentor, my aim is to offer broad guidance beneficial to most students. However, this advice is not a one-size-fits-all solution. I encourage open discussions with educators and guardians for personalised advice, and I remind readers to consider their unique circumstances when applying suggestions from this newsletter.

Sleep: The Foundation for Success

Let's emphasise this: Adequate sleep is indispensable. Despite challenges in achieving restful sleep, numerous methods can significantly improve its quality. As such, I have decided to outline 2 effective tactics which may have a significant impact on increasing the amount of melatonin produced (the sleep hormone).

Eat a Bowl of Porridge Before Bed

Although no recent studies have been conducted to demonstrate the benefits of eating porridge on the quality of sleep, the effects of consuming porridge have been well documented. Not only do the complex carbs help increase serotonin levels in the brain which can then be converted to melatonin, but it’s also rich in magnesium which helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and further aid relaxation.

Drink Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is an old herbal remedy that can be used to teat anxiety as it can help you to feel more relaxed. It also has the effect of making you feel drowsy and tired. A recent meta-study conducted on the effects of different ingredients on mental energy identifies chamomile and green tea as an aid for sleep [1]

"The minute anyone's getting anxious I say, 'You must eat and you must sleep.' They're the two vital elements for a healthy life." - Francesca Annis

The Pitfalls of Cramming

Cramming is often a reflex to impending exam stress, a short-term fix that overlooks the root issue: anxiety. Recognising and addressing test anxiety is vital, as its impact on well-being and academic performance cannot be overstated [2][3]. Transitioning from a cramming mindset to one that finds joy in the learning process can significantly alter one's study experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Stop Physically Exercising

Exercising is the most important activity you can do on a regular basis as it helps to balance your hormones, improve your mental health, help with weight management and aid in the development of grit! [4]

If you stop exercising, your carb stores will build up resulting in excess energy. This typically manifests itself in the form of increased stress and anxiety that may negatively impact the quality of your sleep, as well as your life.

Disrupting Sleeping Patterns

Many students seem to stop being able to sleep as the exams approach. Upon further enquiry, I discovered that these students had one main thing in common: they all tried to sleep 2 - 3 hours earlier in order to ensure that they would get the most out of the daylight hours.

By drastically changing their sleeping patterns these students adversely impacted their ability to fall asleep. My recommendation is gradually moving your bed time earlier over a long period of time (e.g. 30 minutes earlier every week).

Not taking a break

A typical student’s attention span will likely span 30 - 45 mins. By not taking breaks and pushing your limits, you may end up losing focus and day-dreaming instead. As you can imagine, this drastically drops the quality of work done and results in a lot of time wasted trying to study.

The pomodoro technique is very useful when starting off as it can aid in the improvement of your attention span. I recommend that you play around with the time intervals of study periods and breaks to better improve the quality of your work.

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pelé

The Essence of Effective Study Skills

Many students have a narrow view of what it means to "study smarter, not harder." As exams loom, the pressure mounts, and the distinction between effective study strategies and mere hard work blurs. True study skills encompass a holistic approach to learning that not only aids in academic success but also fosters a balanced and fulfilling life

Strategies for Success

Embrace Your Unique Learning Style

Different tactics, methods and styles will have a different degree of impact on your ability to learn. A common mistake some students (and even adults) make is they attempt to copy someone else’s strategy hoping to attain identical results. - you are not a machine and as such, you need to find new and interesting ways which work for you!

Develop a Plan

Creating a study plan requires you to identify where you are and where you want to be. This is highly beneficial as it will serve as a rough guide for you to determine how much work needs to be done in order for you to reach your goals.

The challenge to following through is forgiving yourself - you will undoubtedly make mistakes and be human but you need to ensure that you remain consistent and continue to work 😇 - (I recommend reading my previous newsletter on developing grit if you want more advice on how to keep going)

Healthy Habits

This goes without saying. If you want to develop a healthy mindset, healthy physique or healthy whatever, then you need to have healthy habits. This includes having a bed time during your exam period, eating healthy food and regular exercise, alongside frequent study breaks.

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X

Donations

Every year, there is at least one family whom I encounter that is in the middle of a difficult life situation which is made more challenging by their lack of finances. A donation of just £1 ph goes a long way to help me reduce the challenges which they face.

This is completely optional and it is much appreciated should any family be able to give.

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