With the finals season looming around us, we often find ourselves confused on how to tackle these big tasks and wasting time in deciding “how to study”.
We’ve compiled a list of study techniques which have been proven to maximize your productivity.
Pomodoro technique:
If you are feeling overwhelmed by long study hours and can’t seem to stop procrastinating, then this one’s for you. The basic idea of pomodoro is to break down your work time into slots with small breaks after each session. You can either have focused time for 25 minutes, followed by a 5 minute break or a 50 minute study session with a 10 minute break. This helps in breaking down big tasks into smaller and more achievable parts. The idea of repetitive breaks also acts as a stimuli for your brain and helps you focus better.
Flow state:
The Flow state of mind described by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is “being completely involved in an activity for its own sake”. If you do not want to be restricted by time and do want to give 110% to the task, then tapping into a hyper-focused flow state is the best idea. People who love their workand totally immersed in it, go into this non-distracted zone. This technique can lead to high achievement, and ecstatic feelings.Our recommendationBefore starting to study, eswitch off your cellphones, find a quiet space, and eliminate distractions.
Eisenhower matrix:
If it’s one of those days where youhave a never ending to-do list, then applying this matrix is highly recommended. The matrix is derived from Dwight D. Eisenhower’s ideology. The basic principle is to understand the difference between urgent and important. Researchers in a study based in Alaska found that we tend to focus on time sensitive tasks even if they have a low payout, rather than to high impact tasks. To avoid this, tasks can be delegated to four matrix sections: Important-Urgent (IU), Important-Not urgent (INU), Not important-Urgent (NIU), and Not important-Not urgent (NINU). The tasks in the first section, IU, should be given high priority. INU tasks should be scheduled for later, whereas NIU tasks can be delegated. Tasks in section 4 could be eliminated altogether.
The Feynman technique:
This is personally my favorite one! Richard Feynman was a Nobel laureate physicist renowned for this lectures. He often oversimplified complex physics conceptsfor his students, as he believed anyone can make a subject complicated but only someone who understands can truly make it simple. So if youhave highly complicated study material you want to understand, apply this logic. While studying the topic, break it down into simpler terms, find your friends/family who would know nothing about it and explain it to them without the heavy technical jargon. This would really help you build a strong fundamental understanding.
We do understand that studying techniques are highly subjective, so pick the ones that work the best for you.
Finals being a stressful time, it’s also important to prioritize your mental health. The university has resources to help same:
- Free access to premium headspace account- https://www.headspace.com/mental-health
- UCHS provides mental health services, further details of which can be found at – https://www.northeastern.edu/uhcs/counseling-services/
Good luck with your finals!