Every semester, we think to ourselves: what can I do better in my academic life?

I spoke with Georgia Southern’s Academic Success Coordinator Madison Murphy and Associate Director Dr. Malerie Payne to discover the best study tips to achieve academic success at Georgia Southern.

I am a student who faces attention problems daily, so I feel studying can be more demanding of me compared to my neurotypical peers. The help of the Academic Success Center gave myself and other students advice, so we do not have to binge watch YouTube videos on study tips.

Study Techniques

Murphy suggested these essential study techniques.

• Space Practice: The process of spacing out exam preparation across multiple study sessions, according to Murphy
• Pomodoro technique: Focuses 50 minutes of study or work, followed by a ten minute brain break
• Review course material every week

Digital or Paper?

Payne talked about the different benefits of digital and paper notes.

• Digital allows for faster and more accessible notes through connected devices. A student can also pull images from their device to add to notes
• Paper allows hand to brain coordination according to Payne
• Ask your professor what the ideal strategy is to achieve success in their class

Study Techniques For Burn Out

Murphy discussed how to deal with burn out and helping with focus.

• Write down 1-3 long term goals and put it in your workspace or somewhere that is visible to you
• Success center has provided links for study plans on ASC semester tool kit
• Reach out to professional counseling or an education specialist

Study Techniques To Avoid

Murphy provided tips on the do nots of studying.

• Cramming
• Do not study a few days before test/exam

Additional Tips

Payne gave additional advice for students to take on in the new semester.

• Study a couple of times each week and write a summary of what you learned in class
• Prepare months before an exam
• Wake up early to review or during a lunch break

Learning about the Pomodoro technique is a strategy that I plan to bring into this new semester. It has helped me preserve my energy to allow more work to be done. My personal advice, watch videos about your aspiring career choice. I get the most motivation to do my work when I watch videos for the reason why I am at college in the first place.