Learning to study effectively is important for anyone who intends to pursue a university education, as there are some ways in which undergraduate study is different to school or college learning. In higher education you take control of your own learning, which means choosing topics that interest you as well as motivating yourself to work hard and meet deadlines. If you’re thinking about attending university soon, you’re sure to benefit from the below tips.
Read ahead
Most university courses will provide enrolling students with a reading list before they begin their studies, so if you’ll be going to university within the next few months, this is a great place to start. Get used to independent reading by starting on first-year material ahead of time, making notes as you go on anything you find particularly interesting or important.
Starting on the recommended reading list early will give you background knowledge on upcoming modules before your first lecture or seminar, so you’ll have a better understanding of presentations and discussions during your first few weeks. If university is a way off for you, you can still read ahead by going online and looking at the type of books usually recommended for first years in your potential area of study.
Speak to current students
Speaking to current university students is a great way to get study tips before you begin working towards a degree. If you have any friends or family members who are currently at university, why not ask them if they have any advice? It may also be beneficial to speak to students who are studying on your programme of choice, so try online student forums or attending university visitor events to get answers to your questions from those who are really in the know.
Summer school
Enrolling in a summer school is a fantastic way to get a feel for your chosen subject before university and to get accustomed to studying for higher-level education. Immerse Education’s summer school Cambridge programmes help students to develop skills and knowledge in their chosen subject and act as an introduction to a variety of courses.
Participating in a two-week summer school Cambridge course gives students a head start on their peers and equips them for university education, with expert tutors to provide exceptional learning experiences and groups of like-minded students to share ideas with.
Do your research
As well as getting ahead on your reading, it will also help to do some independent research into topics that interest you. For example, if you’ll be studying English Literature, it might be that you enjoy a particular genre and want to develop your knowledge in this area. If you’ll be studying medicine, you may be fascinated by a specific field. Discovering which subject areas you’re drawn to early on can help you choose modules further down the line and tailor your studies to your own areas of interest. If you are looking for a dedicated Chemistry teacher in Singapore, check out https://seb-academy.com/
Get used to independent study
Things are different at university, with tutors expecting you to undergo a great deal of independent research and wider reading. Some courses will have a lot of timetabled contact hours, while others will give you more time for independent study. It can be difficult at first for students to motivate themselves during this ‘free time’, but you can prepare yourself for this shift now.
If you’re currently in sixth form, your school or college may offer an independent research qualification such as an EPQ or STEM. These are a great way of getting used to doing independent research and will stand you in good stead for your future studies. If your sixth form doesn’t offer this, you can easily do something similar at home by choosing a topic and creating your own project.
