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Study tips for VCE
University students talking about study tips and skills to improve preparation for VCE exams.
Video sourced from Deakin
In this guide you can access information, articles, videos and weblinks to help you understand what you can do every week to learn, understand, remember and apply new knowledge.
Students with a growth mindset perform better and are able to persist in resolving difficult problems than a student with a fixed mindset. Our brain capacity is not fixed - the more we struggle with things and persist the more our neural pathways develop in the brain.
The Power of believing that you can improve
Carol Dweck researches “growth mindset” — the idea that we can grow our brain's capacity to learn and to solve problems. In this talk, she describes two ways to think about a problem that’s slightly too hard for you to solve. Are you not smart enough to solve it … or have you just not solved it yet?
Video sourced from Ted
Find a space in your house which is comfortable, quiet, well-it and away from distractions. If this doesn't suit you perhaps try studying in your school library or public library. Find the space that is right for you!
Switch of your devices that distract you. Either turn them off or put them on silent while you are studying. Concentrate for 30 minute study blocks, then give yourself a 5 minute break to check your messages.
Past exam papers are a great way to prepare yourself of what your exam will be like. They can help you to work out what areas you have successfully learnt and which areas need more work. You will be suprised how often questions re-appear!
Study groups can be as small as 2 people or they can be much larger. Revising with someone else helps you to share knowledge and improves your understanding. Their strengths might be your weaknesses. Quiz each other and keep each other motivated.
Breaks are an integral part of a good study technique. Taking breaks helps you stay focused over long periods of time. Breaks can help you retain information and reduce tiredness. Short breaks every now and then help you re-focus. Try studying in 30 minute block periods and then take a 5 minute break.
Eat healthy, nutritional foods while you study instead of foods filled with sugar and fat. Exercise regularly! Exercise not only energizes your body, but it also kick starts your brain. Research shows that physical exercise releases proteins in the brain that can actually help improve your memory and increase your cognitive performance.
Using a study timetable enables you to visualise what you've got in your schedule for the day and across the week. Most importantly, preparing a study timetable will ensure that you don't forget any upcoming exams or assessments.
