{"id":18688,"date":"2021-09-13T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T07:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=18688"},"modified":"2021-09-13T08:00:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T07:00:34","slug":"best-study-advice-from-ou-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/best-study-advice-from-ou-students\/","title":{"rendered":"OU students share their best study advice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i><em><span data-ogsc=\"black\">Whether it\u2019s from a friend, family member or tutor, getting some tried and tested advice can help to get you through those tough study moments. We asked OU students on Instagram to share their best study advice and here\u2019s what they said:<\/span><\/em><\/i><\/p>\n<h2>1. Set yourself small goals<\/h2>\n<p>Setting some achievable goals can help keep you motivated. Reward yourself every time you reach one of your goals:<\/p>\n<p>@kelly.dace &#8211; Reward yourself &#8211; so I gave myself an episode on Netflix for every 2 hours of study ?<\/p>\n<p>@my_magical_disney_life &#8211; When you&#8217;re lacking in enthusiasm to study, set yourself a goal, finish 1 paragraph, 1 page or 1 chapter and reward yourself with something. The promise of chocolate is a great motivator!<\/p>\n<p>@taylorsized &#8211;\u00a0 Only ever do small tasks. They just add up to create one big achievement.<\/p>\n<div class=\" Igw0E IwRSH eGOV_ _4EzTm ItkAi \"><span class=\"Jv7Aj mArmR MqpiF \">@planetgazer_gal &#8211; <\/span><span class=\"\">Celebrate the wins, no matter how small you think they are they&#8217;re getting you one step closer to your goal.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2>2. Study advice from tutors<\/h2>\n<p>Lots of students heard their best study advice from their tutors:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\">longtalljulie1969 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW118782091 BCX8\">My first tutor told me there\u2019s no such thing as a silly question- if in doubt, ask.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 BCX8 DefaultHighlightTransition SCXW65882782\">fmmackenzie<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW65882782\">My Cognitive Psychology tutor told me that an exam is an opportunity to show off what you know. Really changed my perspective as I used to dread exams.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\" Igw0E IwRSH eGOV_ _4EzTm ItkAi \"><span class=\"Jv7Aj mArmR MqpiF \">@iamtarag7389 &#8211; <\/span><span class=\"\">Remember that you are still learning the course subject! you aren&#8217;t expected to know everything &#8211; best advice I had ever received from a tutor.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19097 alignright\" style=\"font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size: 14px;color: #414141\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shutterstock_1483533266-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Someone using a pencil to write in a diary\/planner.\" width=\"405\" height=\"270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shutterstock_1483533266-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shutterstock_1483533266-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shutterstock_1483533266-1.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" \/>3. Find a study method that suits you<\/h2>\n<p>Everyone works differently but here is what works for some students:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\">nickiw39 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213599671 BCX8\">Do your references as you go! Bookmark everything and never ever give up. It will get done.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW213599671 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW125585183 BCX8\">michael.oliver<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\">.3705 &#8211; G<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\">et<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125585183 BCX8\">\u00a0up early and study. It&#8217;s easier and your memory is working on full power!<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW125585183 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\">lynnlog669 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\">The 30 to five <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW21570464 BCX8\">rule<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW21570464 BCX8\"> 30 minutes of studying and then five minutes looking away. Also study early in the morning.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW21570464 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW103130134 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW103130134 BCX8\">@<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW103130134 BCX8\">jakwils29<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW103130134 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW103130134 BCX8\"> &#8211; Index cards are your friends! I wish I\u2019d known what I know now about index cards when I was 15.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>4. Stay organised<\/h2>\n<p>Using checklists, organised notes and even just remembering to save your work can help make studying a lot easier as you can always find what you are looking for:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\">@<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW143096779 BCX8\">ol<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\">_li_e &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\">I always kept two sets of notes \u2018general and TMA focused\u2019. My general notes were always condensed down to a few spider diagrams by the end of my exam\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\">revision,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143096779 BCX8\">\u00a0and these were the last things I looked at before I went in.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\">loldfield1998 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW74458356 BCX8\">When doing TMAs read every sentence and write a checklist of things to do. Some marks may be hidden in the smallest sentences.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW74458356 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">@<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">mancbird46 &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">Save your\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">work!!<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">\u00a0Even if just answering a phone, the door, call of nature &#8211; always save your work before walking away from your\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW268027968\">computer!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Find out more:<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/help.open.ac.uk\/browse\/study-skills\">Read our study skills resources here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether it\u2019s from a friend, family member or tutor, getting some tried and tested advice can help to get you through those tough study moments. We asked OU students on Instagram to share their best study advice and here\u2019s what they said: 1. Set yourself small goals Setting some achievable goals can help keep you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":18734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[69,1525,1640,2146],"class_list":["post-18688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-stories","tag-advice","tag-news-home","tag-ou-home","tag-students"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}