Tips for improving study skills

Welcome to a new kind of learning environment! Studying in higher education is a journey toward becoming an expert in your field, but also toward more independent and personalized learning. University of applied sciences studies offer freedom, but they also require you to take responsibility for your studies and their progress.

Studying at a university of applied sciences is diverse, and the methods used in courses vary: lectures, group work, projects, written assignments, simulations, practical training in the workplace, and more. Higher education studies also involve a significant amount of independent study and information retrieval.

At the beginning of your studies, you may find that your previous study habits and working methods need to be reassessed and adjusted. It’s common to feel uncertain at the start. By setting aside enough time for studying and being open to trying different learning methods, you’ll gradually find a rhythm and style that works for you.

Studying is about continuous learning on how to learn. Good and effective study skills don’t develop overnight—they require experimentation and persistent practice throughout your studies. That’s why it’s important to regularly reflect on your study habits: What is working for you? What could be improved?

Tips / Checklist

• Allocate enough time for studying (1 ECTS credit = 27 hours of work).
• Plan your studies in advance. As soon as a new course begins, find out what components are required to complete it.
• Reflect on your study habits: What has worked for you before and what do you want to keep? What needs to change and what would you like to try?
• The independence of higher education studies doesn't mean you have to do everything alone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help—from fellow students, teachers, your tutor teacher, study counsellor, study coach, etc.

Planning your time and activities plays a key role in higher education studies. In university of applied sciences studies, you are expected to be able to plan and structure your own work. Successful time management doesn’t mean having a strict minute-by-minute schedule, but rather knowing what you’re doing and when.

Studying involves many different tasks: lectures, group work, independent study, submission deadlines, internships, and more. Without planning, these tasks can easily pile up and cause stress. Using a calendar helps you see the bigger picture, break tasks into smaller parts, and reserve time for independent work—without forgetting recovery. Smart and effective time management and planning your work help you build a study routine where you can make meaningful progress in your studies, while also balancing study and free time and taking care of your well-being.

As learners, we are all different, and studying takes different amounts of time for different people. As your studies progress, you’ll also get better at estimating how much time different tasks require. You can even test your own reading speed using a textbook. Be honest when reviewing how you use your time, and try to eliminate potential time-wasters: What is really taking up your time? What would you like to spend more time on?

Tip list:

• Time management is a skill you can practice. Make time planning a routine and think about what kind of calendar system works best for you.
• Start with long-term planning by mapping out your courses for the semester or study period. Your personal study plan (HOPS) can help with this. You might also use a timeline to visualize the semester/period.
• Mark important deadlines and events in your calendar as soon as you learn about them.
• Start working on assignments early. This helps avoid last-minute rush and accumulating stress.
• Make a weekly plan to decide when you will work on each task. Be sure to include buffer time to accommodate unexpected changes—this allows your schedule to be flexible.
• Make sure your weekly plan includes enough time for rest and relaxing activities during your free time.
• Ideally, plan the next day’s work at the end of the previous study day. Break daily tasks into smaller sub-goals. Also, schedule breaks throughout the day.
• Consider when you are most alert, and try to schedule tasks that require focus during those times.
• Routines and rules help in managing your time effectively.
• If you wish, use digital tools to support your planning, such as an electronic calendar, to-do lists, or time management apps.
• Revise, adjust, and update your schedule whenever needed.

Study techniques are practical tools that can enhance your learning and make studying smoother and more meaningful. They help you better understand what you're learning, improve your concentration, and boost your memory. Effective study techniques develop over time through practice and experimentation. There’s no one-size-fits-all method—what matters most is trying different approaches and finding what works best for you. Different situations may also call for different learning strategies. In this section, you'll find some tips on study techniques that support effective and high-quality learning.

Take Breaks – Your Brain Needs Rest

• Long study sessions are not efficient.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique or another method for pacing your work. For example, study in 25-minute intervals followed by a 5-minute break.
• Make sure to take longer breaks during the day, like a proper lunch break.
• Change your working position from time to time. If possible, try standing while studying occasionally.

Take Notes, but Don’t Just Copy

• Notes help structure and retain information.
• Try different note-taking methods and consider what works best for each type of content: summaries, lists, questions, mind maps, etc.
• Think about how your notes help you understand the subject matter. Do you prefer handwriting or typing? Have you tried recording your notes?
• Review what you’ve learned by summarizing in your own words—either in writing or out loud.

Use Your Peers

• Study together occasionally—teach others, ask questions, and discuss topics.
• Teaching others is a powerful way to structure knowledge and recognize your own knowledge gaps.
• In a group, you can share not only information and insights but also experiences and feelings related to studying.

Protect Your Focus

• Take care of basic needs: adequate sleep, regular meals, and physical activity help you maintain focus and regulate your energy levels.
• Establish consistent study routines that work for you.
• Remove distractions while studying. Put your phone on silent or place it in another room.
• Close unnecessary tabs and mute notifications on your computer.
• Avoid multitasking.

Optimize Your Study Environment

• Consider what kind of environment supports your studying.
• Try different settings for different study tasks. Changing your environment can bring variety and help regulate your alertness.

Metropolia’s student well-being webinars provide tools and insights for tackling the challenges of everyday student life. Each webinar lasts 45–60 minutes. The recordings are freely available to all Metropolia students.

• Stress and recovery -webinar, 10/2021
• International student's needs and wellbeing -webinar, 11/2021
• Coping with nervousness and stage fright -webinar, 3/2022
• Stuck with perfectionism? -webinar, 10/2022
• Time management tips for studies -webinar, on11/2022
• All about anxiety -webinar, 3/2023