Study Aids

With the new year school approaching (or for some already here), there have been a lot of interesting articles about the best practices in studying. I thought I would run through some of the best ones that appear to be based on actual research.

The NYT has a neat article showing how some of the standard advice for studying is wrong:

- For example, instead of always studying in one place (like your dorm room or library carrel), you should have multiple study spots because your brain makes associations between the material you are studying and the external environment.

- Also, instead of studying one thing intensely at a single sitting, it is good to study multiple subjects or multiple types of problems.

The British Psychological Society's Research Digest also lists 9 Evidence-Based Study Tips. A few of my favorites are these:

- Take naps
- Test yourself
- Believe in yourself
- Forgive yourself for procrastinating

Cal Newport

At the end of my book, I put a few suggestions for further reading. One of the people I regret not including is Cal Newport. I think his books are a perfect complement to mine because two of the things I didn't address in the book are his bread and butter: study skills (I assumed that good students knew these already) and finding the meaning in your studies (I thought that everyone brings their own perspective to this). Reading his blog has convinced me that most students do need to think about these issues and his books (How to Win at College and How To Become a Straight-A Student) are a great place to get this.

For a quick test of his approach, check out these blog posts and then go buy his books:

A Study Hacks Primer
The Study Hacks Philosophy on College
The Straight A Method