How to plan your study sessions at university

MSc Marketing & Strategy student, Lakshita Ankem, offers detailed advice into planning, executing and managing your approach to studying.

As exam season draws close, I wanted to share some study techniques that have always helped me retain information, strengthen my focus, and improve my time management. These strategies have improved my recall efficiency while also allowing me to take care of my wellbeing during long study sessions, and were pivotal to achieving distinctions and strong academic feedback in my first term.

What’s the best way to start a study session at university?

Instead of passively reviewing notes, I start my study session by asking a friend or using an AI tool to quiz me. This forces me to actively recall information before reviewing, which improves memory retention. Before looking at notes, I let someone ask me questions on the topic, then check what I got right or wrong before reviewing those areas.

If I’m studying alone, I write down everything I remember first before checking my course materials. This technique also keeps my study sessions engaging and prevents passive learning.

Rather than rewriting all my notes, I focus on only the concepts I struggle with most. I compile them into a one-page cheat sheet that I review daily. Writing down only the hardest-to-remember facts or formulas keeps it concise.

Reviewing this sheet before bed and first thing in the morning improves retention due to the recency effect and sleep consolidation. This is a simple but powerful way to manage time effectively by focusing on the most critical areas.

How can I manage my study progress?

Instead of keeping notes hidden in a notebook, I make my key study points impossible to ignore by putting reminders of my notes. Assigning colours based on topic difficulty always helps. Red – Urgent/Needs immediate focus, Blue – Needs moderate revision, Green – Already mastered and Orange– Frameworks or topics to constantly revise.

Recording my voice explaining complex topics has enhanced my memory and focus. Listening to these recordings while jogging or doing other activities like cooking allows me to study without feeling overwhelmed.

Since sitting down for long hours can feel draining, I make short two-minute summaries per topic and listen while I do other tasks. This technique is especially useful for theoretical subjects. Hearing my explanations helps me identify gaps in my understanding.

I assign different subjects to different study spots, using spatial memory to trigger recall. The brain associates information with physical locations, so studying one module in the PG Lounge and another in the WBS café helps. Even changing which side of the desk I sit on creates memory cues. This technique makes studying more structured, helping me balance productivity and mental well-being.

Is it a good idea to study in groups?

I’ve always found that I learn best when I teach someone else. Explaining concepts in my own words forces me to simplify them, and if I can’t, I know I haven’t fully understood the topic. Whenever I study, I either teach a friend, pretend I’m explaining it to a beginner, or even write it out in the simplest terms possible. This technique helps me spot gaps in my understanding and makes information stick.

Exploring a concept in simple terms forces me to break it down and truly understand it with examples. If I can’t explain it clearly, I review it again and go in-depth. I either teach a friend or pretend I’m explaining it to a complete beginner. Writing out my explanations in the simplest way possible helps me identify any gaps.

How to avoid burnout when studying

Studying for 40 minutes, then taking a 15-minute break, has helped me cover my syllabus efficiently since my high school days. During my break, I challenge myself to recall three to five key points from what I just learned. If I forget something, I revisit it immediately before moving on.

This approach helps me balance studying and free time, preventing exhaustion while keeping me focused and productive. I’ve realised that taking breaks and self-care is just as important. Watching something on YouTube or going out for a few minutes and socialising prevents fatigue.

Instead of studying non-stop, I now focus on quality over quantity. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, experiment with different study techniques and find what works best for you.

Be prepared and good luck.