Developing an effective study plan is always challenging. It can be even more so when you have competing demands, such as work and family commitments. However, there are a few things that you can do to help set yourself up for success!

Here are some of our top tips for developing good study habits:

1. Find a good place to study

Establishing a study place is essential to developing a good study plan. This doesn’t just have to be a specific location, but it can also be a state of mind, meaning a set time where you minimize distractions. This would also include staying away from your phone and ensuring that you have a set amount of time without interruptions from other life commitments.

2. Take Breaks

No matter how stressed you are about coursework or upcoming tests, remember to take breaks. Breaks can actually help you to be more productive than working without stopping. It helps you to reset your mind and reduce your stress levels so that you are ready to re-focus when you return to studying. So, make sure you take some time for yourself, whether that means going out for a walk or watching some quick videos on TikTok!

3. Set Goals

Setting goals helps you to stay on track. Make sure that you use SMART goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-relevant. Goal setting allows you to plan and focus your time so that you can study more efficiently. It allows you to achieve small wins to help keep you motivated.

4. Engage with the material

Simply reading a textbook is not usually enough for most people to retain information. It’s important to be active in your studying and to find ways to keep yourself engaged in your material. This could include:

• Solve practice problems
• Write up a study guide
• Quiz yourself
• Say the information out loud
• Create visual aids

Engaging in course materials in different formats not only makes it more interesting, but it also helps you to commit the information to your long-term memory more quickly.

5. Find a Study Buddy

Studying is always more engaging when you have a study buddy! Studying with a friend can help keep you motivated and keep you on track. It also helps to have someone with whom you can bounce off ideas and ask questions. Sometimes just having someone available to offer a different perspective can help you remember something more easily.

Need some suggestions about group work? Here are some tips about Managing Group Work as an Online Learner.

Wellness Check

Regardless of which study tricks you use, remember to take care of your mental wellness. Everyone gets bad grades occasionally, but it’s important not to fixate on the negatives and to remember that there will always be another opportunity for success. Reflect on where you struggled and think about opportunities for future improvement. If you are continuing to struggle with your studies, remember that your advisors are here to help you succeed and they have different resources available to support you.

For 50 years and counting, we’re here to get you there.