Looking for study tips or want to try new study techniques? This section contains guidelines to help you plan, structure and manage your studies. University-level studies require self-direction and organisational skills. You have the freedom – but also the responsibility – for your own learning. Try the following approaches, for example:
Motivation and goals
Remind yourself of your goals and try to find your inner motivation for studying. Think about why your studies are important to you and what you want to achieve through them. Also consider how subjects that feel less interesting contribute to your longer-term goals.
Set both short-term and long-term goals, and write down your milestones. Remember to reward yourself when you reach a milestone – it fuels your motivation!
Study plan
Planning your studies is an important starting point for managing your daily life. Plan your study schedule in enough detail, and break your studies into manageable parts. Make a note of course schedules, such as lectures, assignment deadlines and exam dates.
Make a realistic plan that takes into account your own resources and other areas of your life. Use the PSP template on our website or try digital planning and calendar tools.
Study rhythm
Build a clear study rhythm that suits your life situation. Identify when you are at your most alert and schedule the most demanding tasks for those times.
Give yourself space and time to learn. It is better to leave some extra room in your calendar than to try to fill every free moment. Developing your study skills takes time and practice – and deep learning also takes time.
Study environment
Make sure you have a quiet space to study and concentrate. Remove unnecessary distractions – and put your phone on silent. If it is hard to find peace and quiet at home, make use of the university’s or the library’s self-study spaces – or go for a walk with a recorded lecture in your headphones.
Planning ahead and setting aside dedicated time helps you focus on written assignments. Some people also find background music, noise-cancelling headphones or light movement during studying helpful.
Breaks and recovery
Both your brain and body need breaks and recovery. An overloaded mind cannot absorb or process new information. Leave room in your study plan for free time too – set aside time in your calendar for breaks and simply being.
Study techniques
If you find it difficult to get started or to concentrate, try timing your study sessions or using the Pomodoro technique, for example. Also reflect on yourself as a learner: what works for you and what does not? Do you benefit from taking notes, mind maps or to-do lists? Do you learn best by listening, writing, watching or perhaps by discussing with others?
Everyone learns in their own way, at their own pace and for themselves. At the beginning of your studies, things may feel difficult or take time, but you learn by doing – and practice truly can make perfect. Sometimes some things simply take longer than others, and that is completely normal.
Where can you get help?
Individual study arrangements: If you have learning difficulties or health-related challenges, you have the right to individual study arrangements. Read more about individual study arrangements (link).
Guidance and support: If you need more support with study skills or self-management, the continuous learning guidance specialists are here to help. Through the guidance services, you can also receive support from a special education teacher. Learn more about continuous learning guidance services.