Studying & Learning at OSU
Knowing how to study and learn effectively can make all the difference for busy students, but most of us don’t learn how to study and learn – we just pick up habits along the way and hope they work for us.
While tutoring is a common go-to for many students in high school or college, there are so many other ways to think about improving your academic performance across all of your classes, like developing better skills to take notes, tackle required readings, or study for exams.
Use Proven Study Strategies
The science of learning has evolved a lot in the last twenty years, and we know more and more about effective strategies for studying.
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Some study techniques are better than others, and research studies have validated their effectiveness.
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Different classes require different approaches to studying and learning, and it’s useful to have a whole range of techniques and strategies to draw from.
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Learning styles are a myth and can create confusion for students about what strategies will work for them and what won’t - it’s not that simple!
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OSU’s 10-week quarters go by quickly, and starting off the term with some research-backed strategies is important.
Explore Common Questions
Lots of students ask “How do I study effectively for exams? How do I manage my time and create a study schedule? How should I take notes so it’s a good use of my time and energy? What should I do to perform better on tests?”
Those questions are all connected. As an example, one recommendation for studying is to practice self-testing early in your studying, rather than waiting until you feel like you have mastered the content. Active learning strategies like self-testing prepare you for exams, and repetition of the self-testing aligns with how our brains form long term memories for greater retention. And there’s so much more to learn about on this topic!
Find Unique Solutions
Some questions set you up for more individualized strategies: “How can I improve my focus and concentration? What kinds of strategies fit with the way my brain works? How can I read faster and remember more? How can I stay motivated when I’m studying? How do I get over hurdles in my writing and research?“
While there are lots of different recommendations for studying and learning, brains work differently. It can be useful to spend time noting for yourself what works and what doesn’t work, and then find strategies that match the way you work, making your study time and approach more nuanced, efficient, and energy-conscious.
Build Your Skillset for Studying and Learning
Here are some ways to build your skillset in studying and learning:
Explore the Learning Corner website filled with articles, tools, and information sorted by topic area.
Attend a Success Workshop on a topic of interest and hear some of the science behind various techniques.
Follow the Academic Success Center Instagram for study tips and advice.
Schedule an appointment with an Academic Coach and have an in-depth conversation about how you’re approaching studying and learning for a specific course.
Consult with a Strategist and chat about the different techniques available.
Bring your writing project and talk to a Writing Consultant about your writing process and the draft or assignment you’re working on.
Sign up and attend Supplemental Instruction (SI) study tables and work with a trained facilitator to practice course material using a variety of study techniques.
Visit your instructor’s office hours and ask them how they recommend studying for the course they’re teaching.
Take ALS 116: Academic Success (2 credits) to learn about strategies and give you a chance to figure out what will work well for you.
Read a textbook about studying and learning. We like Study Like a Champ (Gurung and Dunlowsky) and The New Science of Learning (Zakrajsek).