Study Skills - When and Where to Study

When to Study

Find out how you utilize your time. If you think that you don’t have time to study then you will not study as effectively as you might. Take a calendar and for two weeks make notes on how you spend your time. I think that you will find that you have time to study. This may mean not watching as much TV or doing a little less yard work than you would want to. You may need to make a choice to study instead of doing something else you like. Ask your self if the potential for getting the promotion is worth the time it takes to study the material.

Plan study time. Studying doesn’t just happen. You need to plan for it. Set some time aside to study everyday. Study in small pieces over time. The mistake that many people make is to wait until just before the interview to start studying. Start when you first think about promoting, not the week or the night before. Long term memory works better if you do it over time.

Study difficult (or boring) subjects first.  If you find that there is a recommended subject for you to study that you find particularly difficult or boring then you should start with that first, when you are fresh. Study those subjects that you like or have a good grasp of later.

Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions. When possible, study in shorter sessions. Three three-hour sessions are far more productive for most people than one nine-hour session. When you do study in long sessions, take a planned break every hour. Work on several subjects and avoid studying similar subjects back to back.

Be aware of your best time of day. Many students learn best in daylight hours. Observe yourself and, if this is true of you, schedule study time for your most difficult subjects when the sun is up. The key point is to determine your best learning time. If early morning doesn't work for you, find out what time is better.

Use waiting time. Five minutes waiting time for the bus, 20 minutes waiting for the dentist, 10 on your beak --waiting time adds up fast. Have short study tasks ready to do during these times. For example, carry 3X5 cards with key words and ideas, lists, words and definitions, and pull them out anywhere. Also, use time on breaks during work to review notes or in-service materials. A solid review of a lecture can be completed in 15 minutes, and even five minutes can be valuable if you are prepared.

Where to Study

Use a regular study area. Your body knows where you are. When you use the same place to study, day after day, your body becomes trained. When you arrive at that particular place, it will automatically sense that it's time to study. You will focus your concentration more quickly.

Don't get too comfortable. Put yourself into a situation where your mind is alert.

Use the library. Libraries are designed for learning. Entering a library is a signal to your body to quiet the mind and get to work. Most students can get more done in a shorter time at the library.

Set up study groups. A study group doesn't take the place of individual study, but it forces you to articulate concepts and makes a review more fun and productive. Also, it helps keep your review on schedule and helps you to avoid procrastination. Remember that the panel will be asking you questions and this type of practice will help you learn to make better oral presentations.