While there is no one perfect approach when it comes to studying effectively, there are methods you can use to improve your recall and long-term memory.

Get Organized

Taking the time to get organized will set you up well and help you achieve your learning goals. Invest in a diary, and use it to keep track of current assignment deadlines.
Bring all the material and devices you need to class, so you can participate. You may find it helpful to pack your bag the night before, so you’re ready to go first thing in the morning.

Don’t skip class.

Skipping classes can be detrimental to your learning and achieving your study goals. It leaves gaping holes in your notes and your subject knowledge.

Rather than juggling four subjects at once, you’ll concentrate on one unit (subject) over a four-week ‘block’ period. You’ll attend three-hour workshop-style classes, three times a week.
The rest of your time can be used to study, work, see friends whatever is most important to you.

Remember to practice active listening by focusing on what your teachers are saying in class and taking notes as needed.

Take notes

To keep your brain engaged during class, take notes, which you can refer to later, as you refine your study techniques.
Notes can help store information in your long-term memory, right there in class.
These notes will be important for reviewing when you’re completing assessments and assignments.

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You might find it handy to condense your notes after class, so they’re clear and easy to read. Underline or highlight key points. If anything doesn’t make sense, you can seek clarification from your teacher.

You can also create visual aids like flow charts and mind maps to help simplify information. For some students, these visual aids help them remember complex information and study more effectively. If you do miss a class, ask a study buddy or classmate if you can refer to their notes. This will ensure there are no holes in your note taking.

Talk to your teacher & ask questions

Your teacher is, in a way, a resource who is there to be used. You can take advantage of this interactive learning environment by asking questions during or after class, where you can get fast feedback.

Teachers can further clarify any topics you find confusing. You may even be able to get a little direction on assignments before submitting them. Your teacher will no doubt be impressed with your initiative and happy to help.

Space out your studying.

One of the most effective ways of studying is to space out your learning sessions.
If you break up your study load over several days, you’ll retain information far more readily than if you crammed in one long session.
This can help deeply ingrain information, allowing you to retain it for the long term, and you’ll find you achieve much better results for it.

Create a study plan & stick to it.

One top study tip is to create a schedule or plan. This is incredibly helpful for time management and can help you reach your learning goals.

A study plan will: motivate you to study, as you’ll have time dedicated to learning keep you organized around work, hobbies, and other commitments, as you can plan ahead
break your study load into manageable blocks
give you time to complete your assignments, ensuring they’re not rushed or last-minute.

Don’t just read but study.

When you are reading and re-reading texts and notes, you’re not studying. This is because you’re not engaging with the material.
You’ll discover that you have trouble remembering class notes if you’re not using active studying techniques.

Instead of reading, try: Creating concept maps and diagrams explaining concepts to yourself step by step formulating questions and problems that you can come back to and solve, effectively creating a quiz for yourself becoming a teacher or tutor to your study group or partner, and learning the course material by explaining concepts to them.

Set up a quiet study space

It is important to have a designated study area that is free from distraction and will allow you to study effectively.

When you settle into your study area, you will know you are there to learn. This mindset will help with your overall motivation to study.

Choose a study space that is quiet, well-lit, and in a low-traffic area. Don’t, say, study at a dining table when you’re going to be constantly distracted by housemates or family members moving in and out of the kitchen!
If there’s nowhere suitable for study at home, try your local or university library. Libraries are naturally quiet and many have designated areas for study. 

For many students, the greatest distraction is their phones. You may find it helpful to switch your phone to silent, or even off for the duration of your study session.

You can also use apps such as Freedom or FocusMe to block non-essential apps from your phone, while you’re trying to learn.

Test yourself

Getting someone to quiz you or quizzing yourself is great retrieval practice. This learning technique helps you commit information to your long-term memory and easily retrieve it when needed.

Recalling an answer to a question improves learning, as does writing down that answer you’re committing it to memory.

You might find it helpful to create flashcards each time you learn a new topic. Flash cards can have questions on them or have a prompt that triggers the recall of relevant information. Ask a parent, friend, housemate, or study buddy to quiz you, using your flash cards. The act of creating them alone will help you better retain information and is an effective study technique.

Find a study buddy or join a study group

One of the best ways to study is to share the experience with another person. It can be beneficial to find a study buddy or even form a study group with like-minded students.