Boosting Your Grades: How to Enjoy Studying
A guide to optimising your learning at university
Your WAM (Weighted Average Mark) is a result out of 100 based on all the units you’ve taken. After picking the brains of some very high achieving students, I have found that dedication to learning and finding what works best for you is the most effective way to boost your WAM.
LECTURES
Attending Lectures vs. Watching Them Later
Figure out which one works best for you. Given that you have the option, some prefer to attend lectures live because they don’t have the motivation to watch it later. Others prefer to watch it later because it may be easier to pause, take notes, and then continue on.
Note-taking
The important thing to avoid is passive note-taking and never looking at it. Again, everyone has their own style but here are some of ways that might be useful:
- Option 1: Type down notes on your computer throughout the lecture. Then find time within the week to write down important points in a notebook.
- Option 2: Take down some headings throughout the lecture and after watching it, write/type down the important points.
Note-taking apps
- Microsoft OneNote and Notion are very solid options. But if you wanted to explore other options and find the one that’s best for you, I highly recommend watching this video by Ali Abdaal, a Cambridge University medicine graduate. Ali describes a range of note-taking apps and which one you would get the most out of according to your organisational style.
Note-taking styles:
UNDERSTANDING THE CONTENT
Don’t put off watching lectures and going through course material
Falling behind can be overwhelming when you reach exam period and having your content as long term memory will be much less stressful.
Here’s an article on how to improve your productivity and tips for dealing with procrastination to help you avoid putting off going through course content.
Revision and understanding
- Dedicate some time each week or fortnightly to revise through all your notes and to avoid cramming during STUVAC (student vacation).
- Think about what you’ve just learnt and try to explain it to someone else. This is a good indicator of your comprehension of a certain concept. If you do find yourself lacking comprehension, don’t be hesitant to ask your lecturer/tutor or find unallocated resources. This could be a youtube video or a simple Google search.
- Long term memory allows you to properly understand and apply different concepts. Those that can apply such concepts to varying questions tend to do better in exams and grades overall.
MOTIVATION
Burn out
- Don’t push yourself when you’re burnt out. You’ll just stress yourself out more and not retain anything you’re trying to learn. Take a break and come back when you’re ready.
Reward system
- The Pomodoro Technique: you work for 25 minutes and get a 5 minute break.
- Alternatively, you can set yourself a goal of watching a lecture or studying for a set time and reward yourself with an episode of a show or a reasonable time to scroll through social media.
Study with the right people
- Make a study group with people you know are responsible. By holding each other accountable to not be distracting, you will be more inclined to be productive.
Study environment
- Remove distractions from your study area. For most, this means not have your phone within arms reach or in sight.
- Have a tidy study area. A messy work space can clutter your mind and be a big distraction.
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