by Katherine
Logan, Pharm.D. PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident, Suburban Hospital
Developing good study habits as a student is of upmost importance, not
only in formal learning environments but also in life. Being organized and
having good time management skills can aid in this process. Teachers need to encourage and develop these
skills in students, residents, and other trainees.
As a fourth-grader, I attended a class that discussed study and test
taking habits. I still use techniques
that were discussed that day! I believe
these skills should be developed early.1 The earlier students are
empowered with this knowledge, the more practice they will have using these
skills and the greater likelihood they will be successful in and outside the
classroom. What are some methods
teachers can employ to help students develop good study habits? Let’s examine a few strategies.
Maintain a
Planner1
Once students are able to read, teachers can have them try different planners.1
This allows them to see assignments ahead of time. Having students try out different
types will allow them to see which works best for them. Teachers can encourage
this behavior by having the entire class discuss it. Ask students to discuss the
benefits of planners compared to calendars. As a resident, I keep a detailed
planner. One my peers prefers to keep a
printout on her calendar on a bulletin board at work and home.
Many students are afraid of tests, and as such, need more experience
taking them to build their level of comfort. Giving quizzes can help learners
adjust to the types of questions asked by specific teachers. Quizzes also force
students stay on top of studying, and help to break up the overall class grade into
smaller percentages.2 This break-up of the grade could help
alleviate some of the stress associated with major tests.2 A study
of pharmacy students found that half quizzed themselves while studying to see
how well they understood the material and many found quizzes more effective
than re-reading material.2
Practice makes
Perfect1
Homework can also help students.1 Homework deadlines
encourage students to keep a schedule. Subtract points from the assignment for
every day it is late. Rewards can be given to the student(s) with the most
assignments that were turned in on time.1
Give Practice
Problems1
Make practice problems required.1 My first chemistry
teacher gave the class a list of problems from the book and each problem had to
be completed and handed in prior to the test. Sometimes it was stressful to get
the problems done on time, but it meant that I was constantly studying and
reinforcing my knowledge. A study by
Sansgiry and colleagues demonstrated “that students who have difficulty in
coping and managing the study material for tests will have a lower GPA.”2
Create a Healthy
Study Environment1
Another important aspect of studying is the surrounding environment.4
Some people can only study in the library; others prefer listening to music.
Talk to your students about options such as sitting at the coffee table or
staying after school to work in the library.1 Many distractions
confront students today; social media in particular is very distracting. It is
important to teach students to separate themselves from these potential
distractions. Another important
consideration is the time of day spent studying. Some learners prefer staying
up late and studying. Personally, I have always felt that my brain shuts down
after 11 pm. So, I always made sure that
my studying took place earlier in the day. Students should remain realistic and
plan their study habits around the way their minds and bodies function best as
each person is different.
Discuss Proper
Study Materials1
Good study habits mean having good study materials.1
Producing organized and detailed notes are another way to reinforce good study
habits. Teachers can create notes with fill-in-the-blank entries, which keeps
students’ attention. 1 Another option is to create general notes and
leave spaces to add more details later. These notes should be kept in a binder
with numbered pages so students can keep them in order. Study materials also
include the supplies necessary to study.1 Some students make
flashcards and others may need to rewrite notes.4 Students that rely
on such aids should keep a good supply of notecards, legal pads, and pens.1
Suggest Study
Breaks
The brain needs rest. Metcalfe and Kornell argue that the length of
time spent studying is based on the “judgment rate of learning” or the rate
that learning occurs.4 Once the rate of learning drops, retention
stops for a time.4 Since many people are unaware of their learning
rate, I the recommendation from the RxPREP Course Book is a good one: “do not
study for more than 45-50 minutes” at a time, and “do some type of physical
activity during short breaks.”
The suggestions above are just a few of the ways to teach good study habits.
These skills will aid students throughout their lives. They will be able to complete tasks in a timely
fashion as well as learn the conditions they best operate. Teachers should make
these skills a priority in all academic settings beginning in elementary school
and reinforced all way through graduate school.
References:
1. Tips for getting
homework done: 13. Encourage and teach good study habits. Helping Your Students
With Homework: A Guide for Teachers. [Internet] February 1998.
2. Sansgiry SS, Bhosle M, Sail K. Factors that
affect academic performance among pharmacy students. Am J Pharm Educ. 2006; 70: Article 104.
3. Donohoe L,
Mawyer M, Stevens T, Morgan A, Harpe E. Student pharmacists’
perceptions of testing and study strategies. Am J Pharm Educ. 2011; 75:
Article 35
4. Kornell N, Bjork
R. The promise
and perils of self-regulated study. Psychonomic
Bulletin and Review. 2007; 14:219-224.
5. Shapiro D, Brown SA. RxPREP Course Book: A Comprehensive Course for the NAPLEX & CPJE. 2013 Ed. RxPrep, Inc; 2013
5. Shapiro D, Brown SA. RxPREP Course Book: A Comprehensive Course for the NAPLEX & CPJE. 2013 Ed. RxPrep, Inc; 2013
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