Good study skills

• Be creative and create your own quiz for topics you're studying- make it more fun by including your course mates and quiz each other.

• Say the information out loud rather than just writing or typing, this can help you to remember information more effectively.

• Use illustrations to be creative with your work and help you to remember information, this could be graphs, mind maps, or diagrams.

• Have shorter more active ‘bursts’ of study, for example 30-60 minutes 5 days a week is better than 5 hours straight one day. 

• Think about your study environment – do you enjoy the peace and quiet of a library, or the buzz of a café. Working in a relaxing environment can encourage us to feel more motivated and focussed.

• Control your own diary, create a schedule that is manageable, achievable and will help you to accomplish your main goal.

• Remember to take breaks, use an incentive to study. For example, if I study for one hour today, I will treat myself to a hot chocolate afterwards, or catch up with a friend.

• Adopt a healthy mindset, avoid comparing yourself to others – everyone studies and learns at a different pace. Think positively and focus on your best skills and abilities.

• Review and be critical of your own work – proof-read your assignments or ask a friend or relative to do this for you if this is easier.

• Working with your fellow students can be a great way to learn, however try not to provide each other with answers to assignment or exam questions. It is important that when you submit a piece of work that it has been completed independently and not copied from another student, unless you are working on a group project.

• When conducting research, it is good practice to always keep a note of the sources that you have used within your work, remember to cite the authors correctly at the end of your work to ensure you are following your Academic School's rules on referencing. 

• Learning how to paraphrase effectively is important for assignment writing. Paraphrasing ensures that when you gather evidence and research from another author, you are writing it in your own words and style. The more you practice this the more natural it will become.

• Once you've completed an assignment, do not use content from that assignment for another piece of work. Each assignment must be independently researched and written. Manging your time can feel challenging at points, but it's important to allow yourself time to plan and prepare your assignments so that you do not feel under pressure.

• When conducting any form of research, all data collected should be used when submitting your work. Omitting or altering data will mean that your assignment will not provide an accurate account of the research you conducted.

If you have any questions or queries about these, then consult your academic advisor, course leader or programme handbook.