Tips to Study More Effectively

Review what you learned immediately after class. Try to recall on a separate piece of paper as much as you can about the class (without looking at your notes). Then review your actual notes to confirm/supplement your memory. DID YOU KNOW:  This will help to reinforce the information for quicker recall in the future.

Study for short periods and then take a small break . DID YOU KNOW :  Research shows that studying for more than 2 hours at a time causes your brain to shut down and any studying after that time is a waste. Use the 30-3-2 schedule: study for 30 minutes, take a 3-minute break to think of other things, take 2 minutes when you return to the books to mentally review what you had been studying!


Reward yourself when your two hours is up - whether it is thirty minutes of television or reading for fun, buying yourself a little treat or going to exercise, you need to reward yourself for completing this great task!


Create a regular study space which is as quiet and comfortable as possible and has access to everything you need for studying - get rid of any clutter not related to your current project. DID YOU KNOW:  Studying in a soft chair or bed may not be the best strategy; Libraries, study lounges, or private rooms are ideal.


Study groups are great if your group can stay focused on the task. DID YOU KNOW:  Always allow some time to study alone to ensure that what you need to know is really sinking in.


Study THROUGHOUT the semester - Cramming does not work and does not help you remember information - it only commits the information to your short-term memory.


Keys to remembering:

  • The best way to remember information is to memorize from general to specific - study the big picture, then learn the details.
  • Be interested and pay attention; visualize in your mind what you wish to remember; relate and form associations between the new ideas and information that you already know; repeat the information IN YOUR OWN WORDS over and over.
  • Flash cards work for many students - write "fill in the blank" statements on the front of index cards and answers on the back.
  • Make mental images of your notes (called mapping). Picture what your notes look like and where the information is on the page.

Don't wait until it's too late! Whether it's a financial concern, academic concern or anything that is causing you difficulty please let us know.   Visit the Center for Learning And Student Success in the Student Support Services Building Room 130 (Boca Raton Campus) or call us at (561) 297-0906 or e-mail stay@fau.edu if you need help with anything throughout your FAU experience.