News and tips for studying members this summer
It can be hard to study effectively during summer when, usually, it’s hard to concentrate because of the warmer weather, the beach, lake or pool calling and the desire for freedom.
So here’s some tips from Jon Twomey at London’s Student Support Group, who remembers how tough it was to have to take CIM study materials on holiday.
You can’t study everything, so focus on your priorities
Know what you don’t know! A diagnostic test will identify your weaker areas of knowledge, focus on them
Invest your study time disproportionately: Identify which aspects of your syllabus document are most heavily weighted, devote disproportionately more time on these (subject to your test results above)
Study with others
There is a great deal to be said for working with your peer group when studying - whether with just one other student or in a group, on the phone or online. Module forums are good places to pick up tips and ideas from others.
Tips on running a study group
Set up a plan in advance for a group revision session so you don't waste time together deciding what to cover. Get everyone to prepare a topic for discussion - it's a great way to make you think.
Games and quizzes
These work well in group work, or even when you're on your own. Try 'Just a minute!' Talk on a topic as best you can for one minute (without repeating or hesitating or getting off the point).
Teaching as a revision technique
One of the best ways to learn something is to teach it. To teach someone else about a process or topic you first need to understand it well, so this is an effective way of checking what you know.
Take a break, get outside.
The Office of National Statistics added four key questions to the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey, to assess levels of mental wellbeing amongst the UK’s adult population:
- Life satisfaction: Overall, how satisfied are you with life nowadays?
- Purpose: Overall, to what extent do you feel that the things you do in your life are worthwhile?
- Happiness: Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday?
- Anxiety: Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?
The highest levels of happiness were recorded by people who typically visit the outdoors more than once a week and people who take part in gardening. People who strongly agreed that they “are glad natural places existed, even if they didn’t visit them” also fell within this group recording high levels of happiness.
Listen to music, it can help you to concentrate
Although some studies say that listening to music while you study isn’t good, for many people it’s vital. It calms them down, which can lead to productive studying. Music can also help elevate your mood and motivate you to study longer. The real challenge is to select the right music for studying. The wrong type of study music may end up distracting you from your studies.
Listen to instrumental music.
This type of music is more modern than classical and has a similar effect. I always find that movie soundtracks are quite good.
Listen to sounds of nature.
While sounds such as rain, waves, jungles or animals are not exactly music they are relaxing and you will feel like you’re in another world while studying.
Don’t listen to music on the radio.
The dialogue of the presenters and ads will distract you. You should have complete control of your study music.
Make playlists that last for 40 to 50 minutes.
When the playlist ends, this will remind you to take a short break from studying.
You will know if you’ve made the right music choices if the music fades into the background and your study takes centre stage. As soon as the music starts to cloud your study you need to change you study music choices… or just do a quick dance to get it out of your system!
You can call the Student Support Group helpline on 01784 463057 which is free for CIM members in the Greater London region. SSG also provides a range of help with assignments and exams, fees apply to some services. Contact caroline@studentsupportgroup.co.uk or call 01784 463057 for details.