Study tips

• How can I concentrate better?

  1. Prepare for a study session: make sure you have printed your articles, gave your book ready, that your laptop is working, wifi is working, etc. That way, you won't spend precious time arranging this.
  2. Do not study for too long at a time (max. 45-60 min at a time). Set an alarm clock. Take regular breaks (10 min after each study session + a longer break of 30 min after every 2 hours).
  3. Provide pleasant studying conditions: a good desk and nice chair, bright light, a study place that is neither too hot nor too cold, not too much ambient noise or other distractions, no clutter in the eye, etc.
  4. Do not look at social media and mobile phones during study sessions: turn them off/put them away. This should only be done during breaks or after the session.
  5. Put a notepad on your desk: when your thoughts wander, write them down.
  6. When you notice taht your concentration is decreasing, don't force yourself but take a break. Or switch study modes (e.g. stop reading the book for a while and start doing assignments).
  7. Get enough sleep and drink and eat enough. While you sleep, your brain processes what you have learned and stores it in your memory.
  8. Reward yourself with something fun after a study session. For example; watching an episode of a fun series, cook something tasty or go for a run. Alternate study with free time.
  9. Ask others to quiz you on what you have learned. They often ask different questions than you would ask yourself and this will give you a good idea of what you still lack in knowledge.
  10. If you feel comfortable, study with others (online). If you learn the same material, you can quiz each other at the end of the day (see also tip 9).
  11. Think of studying as work: make sure you have a set rhythm and stick to it.

• How can I make a proper planning?

  1. For each subject, make an overview of what you all need to learn and put it in a schedule with the time until the exam. For each study day, plan what you will do that day so that you have covered everything 1 or 2 days before the exam. Learning everything on the day before the exam is too much, your brain cannot remember everything in such a short time.
  2. Schedule a review day the day before the exam where you will briefly review all the material you learned. If all goes well, you won't read anything new that day.
  3. Exercise during breaks: take a walk outside or go up and down the stairs several times.
  4. Don't be angry with yourself if you are having a bad day and after repeatedly trying but failing. Stop studying and start fresh the next day. Bad days come with the territory.
  5. Know yourself: if you are brighter in the evening than during the day, study at that time. Figure out for yourself what works for you and establish a regular rhythm in it.
  6. Keep your regular study rhythm: do you normally start studying at 9 a.m.? Then keep that. This provides structure. Clearly end the study day. You study most effectively when you keep a rhythm, sleep enough at night and are rested during the day.
  7. Make a schedule for the next day; what doesn't get done, schedule again, this way you guard a healthy workload.

• How do I set clear goals and tasks?

  1. Set achievable goals. If you demand too much from yourself, you will not succeed. Distinguish main and side issues in the subject matter.
  2. Before you start studying, look at what you are going to do today. Tick off what you have done (to do list).
  3. Start with small tasks and divide big projects into subtasks.
  4. Alternate modes of studying. For example, start by reading a chapter from the book (30 min), then spend the rest of the session taking notes on what you have read (15 min). After a 10 min break, quiz yourself by asking questions about the material you have just studied (20 min), after which you take a few practice questions from an old exam (25 min), etc.

• How do I allocate my time efficiently and stay active?

  Change your working posture and move around regularly. Watch for signs of strain, such as stiffness, (muscular) pain, a numb feeling or tingling. Try to avoid these symptoms by taking regular breaks and changing your posture:

  • Stand up and walk around regularly
  • Call fellow students instead of sending an e-mail
  • Have a drink or a piece of fruit every half hour
  • Use a headset for phone calls, which can also be the earphones of your mobile phone
  • Move around every 30 minutes, for example by using the 'Scherdertje' method
  • Plan breaks between (video) calls
  • Do you have to read something? Sit on the couch or take a walk
  • Try to spread different types of work over the day. Alternate intensive screen work with an activity that allows you to walk around for a while.
  • Plan your physical activity: take a lunch walk, go for a run, walk, dance, do yoga or follow a workout from the VU sports centre.
  • For example, do these exercises at your workplace.

  Pomodoro technique

  Try using the Pomodoro technique. In it, work and break times are determined by a cooking timer. This technique can help you concentrate better. So it's worth a try!
  Step 1: Decide what you want to do or learn
  Step 2: Set your alarm clock for 25 minutes
  Step 3: Work on your task until the alarm clock rings
  Step 4: Take a 5-minute break
  Step 5: After every fourth 25-minute study block, take a half-hour break

• How do I set up my study space properly?

  Create a study space where you study, take a break or relax in another place. Studying on the couch or in bed is therefore not recommended. Choose a quiet place where you can work undisturbed if you can. Make sure there is no direct light falling on your screen and that you do not look directly into the (sun) light.

  It is also important to position your laptop to maintain a good posture and avoid complaints. You can set up your computer workstation in 10 steps:

  • Put your feet firmly on the ground
  • Place your legs at a 90-degree angle
  • Keep a fist of space between the front of the seat and the hollow of your knee
  • Make sure your lower back is well supported
  • Make sure the armrests support your forearms, while your shoulders are relaxed
  • The table height is just below the armrests. Place the monitor at arm's length straight in front of you. Place the top edge at eye level. No laptop stand? Use a crate or a stack of books. Then also use a separate keyboard and mouse if you have one.
  • Place the mouse and keyboard (legs folded in) as close to your body as possible so you don't have to reach.
  • Alternatively, use function keys (e.g. Alt-Tab to switch between windows and Page Up and Page Down to scroll through a document).
  • If you need to write or read from paper, do so at a table that is 4-5 cm. higher

  See an example of a workplace layout here.

• What is the best way to study at home?

  Good work-life balance

  Ensure a good balance between work and private tasks: especially when studying at home, the temptation lurks that you might, for example, do domestic chores or do something else with your housemates. The ability to concentrate quickly decreases due to distractions and interruptions. It takes about eight minutes each time before you return to the same level of concentration.

  Consult with your housemates

  Do you share your space with another person? Then talk to each other, make arrangements together so that you can make the best possible use of the same space together. Give each other space to separate or be alone for a while. Or, on the contrary, take a break together. See if you can divide the space you have somewhat into workplace of 'you' and of 'the other'.

  Clear goals and tasks

  On campus, you see what fellow students are doing, what they deliver and when they arrive and leave. At home, you don't have that. Make sure you set clear goals and tasks for yourself, distinguish between 'regular' and 'necessary', and demarcate your time. If necessary, contact your student adviser if you need help with this.

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