University Study Skills Reference Guide
Time, notes, reading and assignment strategies that carry first-year students through university.
Time
Treat study like a job: fixed blocks, calendar them, protect them. Weekly review beats monthly panic.
Notes
Cornell method: notes on the right, cues and questions on the left, summary at the bottom. Review by covering the notes and answering your cue questions.
Understanding vs memorising
Test yourself — retrieval is the strongest study technique known. Close the book and write what you remember; check gaps; repeat tomorrow. Highlighting feels good, teaches little.
Reading academically
SQ3R: Survey headings → Question per heading → Read to answer → Recite from memory → Review weekly.
Assignments
Start the day you receive them — 30 minutes of planning saves hours. Draft early enough to leave one day between writing and editing.
Wellbeing
Sleep is a study technique (memory consolidates overnight). Exercise boosts recall. Ask for help early — lecturers, tutors and classmates are part of the plan, not a failure of it.
Follow along (device voice)
Listen and follow along as each word is spoken