With teaching beginning again this week, there’s never been a better time to take a step back and look at your approach to your studies. Picking up a few healthy study habits can help you learn better, improve your results, and gain a better study/life balance. But where to begin? This article suggests a few new study habits you might want to pick up this year. The main thing is to find what works for you (and to get yourself on the Skills Hub!)

Plan your time

You need to read and research your subject, write essays and reports, attend lectures and seminars, travel to and around campus, do shifts at your part-time job, household chores, eat, sleep, and have a social life! It can be difficult to balance all these things, but good time management skills will make it easier, and they are skills that will serve you beyond university. The Skills Hub has a great series of activities to help you with time management, from allocating time, to prioritising and scheduling tasks, and combatting procrastination.

Remember, it’s also important to take time out. No-one can study all day every day and you may find it easier to study effectively if you take regular breaks to make a cup of tea and stretch your legs. You shouldn’t feel guilty about factoring in relaxation time.

Create some study space

Where and when do you like to study? Planning your study around what works for you can greatly increase your productivity.

Choose a quiet corner in the library if you need solitude or a collaborative space if you thrive with others (just remember to keep non-study chat to your breaks).

If you’re studying at home, it’s worth thinking about how your workspace is organised and ensuring it is optimised for your comfort and to avoid eye strain. Designate a workspace and a break zone for short breaks. If your study spot is in your living space or your bedroom, it can help to have somewhere to tidy things away so that you can switch off properly at the end of the day.

Take note!

What’s your note-making style? You read, watch and listen to a wide variety of study materials at Sussex and attend many lectures and seminars. The only way to make sense of all the information and remember it later is to make notes. Relying on your memory alone is not a feasible option! Note-making is not simply a process of writing down everything you hear or read, but involves selecting key information and, crucially, going over your notes later.

Since your notes are seen only by you, note-making is a highly individual process. The Skills Hub has some excellent advice on note-taking, including finding the format that works best for you.

Have a banana

Ensuring a balanced lifestyle is important for both academic success and personal well-being. You can find out about looking after yourself as a Sussex student on the Student Hub, including tips on getting enough sleep, eating healthily and exercising regularly. For example, keeping a stash of healthy snacks by your side is a great way to fuel your study sessions.

Your academic journey is a marathon, not a sprint. As you get back to your studies, take a moment to reassess your approach and embrace the power of healthy habits. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution, so explore and discover what works best for you. And for an extra boost, head over to the Skills Hub for a wealth of resources and activities to elevate your study game, including a great range of academic workshops and support.

Further information: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/skills-hub/