A new academic year - a new academic you!

Hey everyone! I'm sorry it's been months since my last blog post, but I haven't forgotten about you all! After returning from my holiday (Instagram has photos for those interested), I had to settle into my new academic role at work, so this post's title is even relevant to me.

For most students in Melbourne, and even students across Australia, you're probably in your second or third week of Semester 1, and with a new academic year, new challenges present themselves, you're undertaking new subjects and dealing with, perhaps, a heavier workload. So with that, you might find it hard to get back into the usual routine of study after a long and wonderful summer break.

For those who are are little stuck, or lost for ideas on how to get back into a healthy rhythm, this is the perfect post.

So I've harped on a little in my previous posts on healthy study practices, so on top of what I've already written (which some I will repeat here), I would also like to share how you can learn effectively and study effectively, this will ultimately help you create a new routine and a new you when it comes to study.

Firstly, I would like to explain that there are numerous ways in which you learn. Summarily, there are five ways you absorb information.

#1 Write

Handwrite your notes from class, your lecture notes and your summaries. Handwriting is far better than typing, this is because your brain registers the content and processes more thoroughly.

# Listen

Attend your lectures and tutorials and listen closely.

# Read

Read your textbooks, and if you have time, re-read them a second time. Highlight as you read, and then summarise what you've highlighted.

# Watch

If you have videos/documentaries as part of your course, take the opportunity to watch them. Watch them once, and then again whilst taking notes. Avoid taking notes the first time as it will break your concentration.

# Speak

Speaking is another way you learn, talking in discussion groups with your peers is a way of revising, and it can help you 'self-check' your own understanding. Take the opportunity to discuss questions in class, create a study group to revise coursework, and at night maybe revise content by explaining it to your parents or housemates (even if they don't understand, just explain its so you can consolidate on what you have just been reading).

If you are able to include the methods listed above into your study routine each week, you will have a greater likelihood in retaining and understanding the content which will mostly be examined in your final exam.

To further improve your study practices, set weekly goals on what you would like to achieve so you can keep up-to-date. Make sure you have a healthy study space, minimise distractions and eat healthily. Time-management is absolutely crucial, so make sure you factor in your sporting and work commitments, so you are aware when you may be time poor when assessments begin to loom.

Please check out my previous posts for more ways to create a better you when it comes to studying! In the meantime, please comment below or send me a message if there is something you would like me to discuss further.

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