Graduate school can be an exciting and rewarding time if you’re looking to pursue an advanced education degree. However, the demands of graduate-level coursework can be challenging, and you may find yourself struggling to keep up with the pace of the program. To help you succeed, here are some study tips to keep in mind.
Understand How You Work
Graduate school can be a lot of work, and to keep up with the demands you must understand how you work best. Take some time to think about the time of day that you’re most productive. If you find that you feel the most productive in the early mornings, then use that time to study before your day even gets started. Next, identify your learning style. Think about what way you process and retain information the best. Is it by listening? Reading? Writing? Once you know what style works best for you, you can tailor your study habits to your unique learning preferences. This will help tremendously when trying to incorporate other studying tips.
Read with a Purpose
Undoubtedly, you will be reading a lot in grad school. However, to retain what you are reading from multiple sources you must read with a purpose. This involves thinking about what you are reading, why you need to read it, and what you need to get out of it. Instead of just reading the book or article from front to back, skim it beforehand looking at the chapter headings, bold words, and bullet points. Then, as you read, take notes in the margins, or use Post-it notes to mark important pieces of information.
Manage Your Time
Time management is the key to success in any graduate program. There will most likely be many things for you to juggle during this time, such as work, family, school, etc., so managing your time is crucial. When it comes to your schoolwork, develop a schedule and stick to it. Try using an online tool like a productivity app or calendar and pencil study time in just as you would an appointment. These types of tools can help you stay on track more easily.
Be Accountable for Your Assignments
Assignments in graduate school serve as a crucial component of your scholarly research. Therefore, they are more than just busy work from your professor. When you are vested in what you write about, you’re more likely to devote your time to the task and do more comprehensive work. Try and view your writing assignments as a research opportunity to get feedback from your professor so you know you’re going in the right direction with your graduate studies.
Retain What You Hear
To ensure you can effectively comprehend and apply the knowledge you acquire in your field of study, you must remember what you hear in your lectures. You can do this by actively listening to what the speaker is saying focusing on the main points without surrounding distractions. Try using a laptop to jot down notes as the speaker is talking; this will not only help you pay attention, but it will also help you better understand the main points of the lecture that you can refer to later when you study. Another helpful way to retain what you hear is to practice active recall which is simply reviewing what you’ve learned by testing yourself with flashcards or through summarization.
Stay Organized
Graduate school involves a lot of paperwork so if you want to keep track of everything then you must stay organized. Develop a system that makes it easy to find everything you need. There are many digital tools available that can help you stay organized, such as online calendars, task management apps, and note-taking apps. These tools can help you find the information you need when you need it. Keeping your workspace tidy and free from clutter is also another great way to keep you focused on your studies because the cleaner your workspace, the fewer distractions you’ll have.
Take Breaks
While it’s important to be productive, it’s also equally important to take breaks and give your brain a rest. Incorporating short breaks throughout the day can help you improve focus and prevent burnout. Try taking a brief break from your workspace to re-energize your mind by taking a walk, doing a few stretches, or doing simple yoga poses.
Study with Others
Finding a study group is a great way to keep you motivated and accountable. It’s also a great way to share ideas and gain different perspectives. This can help you see the material in new and different ways, enhancing your understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, studying with a group/your cohort can help you build a network in your field which can be invaluable for your future career.
In graduate school your study skills will be put to the test, skimming assignments, or waiting before the day an assignment is due will no longer be an option (if that was something that got you through your undergraduate years). Graduate school involves a lot of research and analyzing information which often means more responsibility and putting in the hours to study. If you understand how you work the best and know how to manage your time and stay organized, and utilize study tips, then graduate school will be a success.
Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.
