study tips for varsity students

High school study habits won't cut it in university. The volume of work is just too high and the pace is too fast. You have to figure out a new way to learn, and quickly.

Reading Isn't the Work

Reading your textbook isn't studying. Neither is highlighting or rereading your notes. That’s all passive. It feels like you’re doing something, but the information isn’t sticking because your brain isn't being challenged.

Studying that actually works is active. It’s about forcing your brain to retrieve information, not just review it.

Try explaining a concept to a friend. If you can’t do it simply, you don’t get it yet. Or try this: after a lecture, take out a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you can remember. Then check your notes to fill in the gaps. The best method, though, is doing practice problems and using old exam papers. That's where you actually learn.

Space It Out

All-nighters are a sign of bad planning, not dedication. Cramming doesn't build long-term memory.

If you want to remember something for the final exam, you have to use spaced repetition. Review your notes the day after the lecture. Then again a few days later, and then a week after that. You're working against the brain's natural tendency to forget things, locking the information in for good. A simple calendar is all you need.

Work in Sprints

You can't focus for hours on end. Nobody can. It's better to work in short, focused bursts.

It's called the Pomodoro Technique:

1. Pick one thing to work on.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work without distractions until it goes off.
4. Take a 5-minute break.
5. After four rounds, take a longer 15-30 minute break.

This method just works. I remember getting stuck on a thermodynamics problem set in my car, a 2011 Honda Civic. It was 4:17 PM on a Tuesday and I was completely overwhelmed. But I set a timer for 25 minutes and just started. That was enough to get going.

Don't Burn Out

University is a long haul. You can't operate at 100% all the time. That means you have to get enough sleep, because your brain actually builds memories while you're sleeping. It also means having friends you can talk to when you're overwhelmed. Don't try to power through it alone.

Build a System

Motivation comes and goes. Your habits are what save you.

So build a system. Plan your week. Break big assignments into smaller pieces. Find one place that's just for studying, and when you're there, put your phone away. Using a habit tracker like Trider can help you stay consistent. The goal is to make studying automatic, not something you have to find the willpower for every single day.