Studying? Seven tips to help you study smarter not harder

When you’re completing your CIM qualifications it can be difficult to juggle your studies with work and outside commitments.  CIM Board members, Lois Shimmen and Ann Prayle have been there and done that. As voluntary CIM Student Ambassadors for the London region the duo shares seven tips to keep your studies on track. 

Lois is Marketing Manager at GiffGaff Money and Ann is a marketing consultant and trainer, currently teaching CIM Professional Certificate and Professional Diploma qualifications.

1. Be clear about what’s expected

Refer to past exams and assignments so that you’re aware of the scope of what you should know from the start. Senior Examiner Reports are enlightening by providing assessments of past exams and highlighting the common mistakes made by students and the standard required to pass. Refer to the marking scheme, the syllabus outcomes are shown in each brief indicating which task covers which aspect of the syllabus. Remember it’s the combination of theory and application that is key.

2. Map out your time

Decide when you’re going to study by creating a timetable. Start your study timetable well-ahead of any exams or assignment hand-in date, because the alternative – leaving everything to the last minute – is stressful, risky and likely to result in disappointment. Allocate periods of time during the week that make sense given your other commitments, so that you can truly focus on your studies. Roughly decide what you’ll need to cover and when. Login to MyCIM for CIM Syllabus Guides.

3. Get support – CIM, tutor, buddy

CIM training and qualification advisors are also here to answer your questions about CIM qualifications, you can email qualifications@cim.co.uk for help. Don’t forget to talk to your tutor as you work your way through your studies. Ask plenty of questions to check your understanding and check you’re on track. Some studying members find that teaming up with a study-buddy can really help to make their study time effective.

4. Break study down into bitesized goals

Set yourself mini-targets in order to track your progress through your topics and workload. For every target, also set out a reward which you’ll get when you achieve that goal. It can be as simple as a coffee break once you’ve written up your notes or a more elaborate treat like a night out with friends to celebrate handing in an assignment. It makes a difference.

5. Revise as you go

Start revision by testing yourself on what you’ve just covered, for example with the questions at the end of a chapter. If you find that you don’t do too well then you need to revisit that chapter.  Most good study centres provide reading guides that will take you through the core text in the order the course is taught. Different people learn in different ways, so revise to suit your preferred style through active listening, reading and writing notes, making and using visual learning aids or whichever combination of techniques you find most productive.

6. Build your understanding

Read around the subject by reading the newspapers and marketing trade press. Go along to CIM seminars to consolidate and extend what you know. There are always events in the London region. Login to MyCIM to find the reading list for your qualification. You can also get fast access to online marketing trade journals, magazines, books and reports via MyCIM and don’t forget Cutting Edge provides a weekly roundup of marketing news.

7. Keep the finish line in sight

Getting qualified takes time, hard work and commitment. It’s difficult to stay focused. So visualise what life will be like when you’ve reached the finish line. Each time you sit down to study, remind yourself why you’re studying and how good life will be with your new marketing qualification.