Creating a Good Study

2. 1. FILTER OUT DISTRACTIONS

3. 1. FILTER OUT DISTRACTIONS
• You don’t have to study in a vacuum, but try filtering distractions and interruptions out
from your study environment.
• Don’t be afraid to ask people in advance to leave you alone while you’re studying.
• Try to reduce noise and visual distractions to a reasonable level.
• If you can’t, consider a different place to study.

5. 2. SEPARATE WORK & PLAY
• Study in a different place than where you hang out or sleep - a separate study room, a
library, a classroom, or a coffee shop.
• Clearly designating one place for work and another for play can prevent unnecessary
procrastination and distraction.
• For this same reason try to keep work and sleep separate - don’t study in bed.

7. 3. ORGANISE YOUR AREA
• Make sure you have everything you need at your desk within reach, so you won’t have
to get up in the midst of studying for a pencil or highlighter.
• Create a one-ring folder binder per subject.
• Include a revision checklist, an example of a marking scheme & past exam papers in
the folders.
• Use colour coded dividers to separate out the materials.

9. 4. UNPLUG YOUR COMPUTER
• Ok, you may not want to literally unplug it - you’ll probably be using it to study.
• But find a way to unplug yourself from online distractions - log off from social
networking and chat on your computer and phone, or use a service like Cold Turkey to
block these for you.

11. 5. THINK ABOUT YOUR POSTURE
• Posture is important, especially when spending long hours studying.
• You don’t need a perfect chair, but at least use a chair.
• If you find yourself aching after an hour of studying, consider switching
positions or seating.

13. 6. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS
• Realise you’re only as productive as your brain is - and it needs regular breaks to
work at full capacity.
• A simple time management method is to work for 30 minutes, take a 2 minute break,
and resume work.
• Use a timer, take it seriously, and see how it works for you.
• Different timing works for different people, but it’s important to remember to take
breaks from any studying: stretch or walk around, and return to work with a clearer
mind.

15. 7. SET A STUDY SCHEDULE
• Find time that works for you during the week, and give yourself set times to study.
• A schedule can be useful for breaking down a big assignment - like reading an entire
book - into smaller and more manageable pieces: a chapter every other day.
• Once you write a schedule, stick to it.

17. 8. BE CONSISTENT
• If you study well in a library or at home, keep studying there.
• Don’t switch study places, especially close to an important deadline.
• Avoid drastic changes to your study area unless necessary - don’t give yourself any
new reasons to be distracted.

19. 9. REMIND & MOTIVATE YOURSELF
• Fill your space with things that remind you about tasks and motivate you to complete
them.
• Use a calendar to make sure you keep deadlines and important dates and a simple to-
do list to prioritise tasks and get things done.
• Also, find small tokens and images that will motivate you; maybe a picture, or college
acceptance letter will provide a bit of necessary encouragement in the middle of the
night before an exam is due.

21. 10. PERSONALISE IT
• Do you study better with your back to any windows? Or facing them?
• Do you like the complete silence of noise-cancelling headphones or listening to light
music?
• The best study environment is one that is personalised to how you study.
• Make it your own, and keep modifying it until it’s perfect.