top+study+tips

= Top study tips - written for students by students! post your tips here : =


 * **Dont over write** - if the assignment is 3000 words write to 2000, allow approx 300 for intro, and 300 for conclusions, at the end you then have 400 to 500 words to emphasise points or elaborate - it ruins a structure to have to edit out large chunks of text at the end.


 * **Read all of the assignments in advance** - listen to the relevant lecture in the context of what subject you might write about in the assigment, use your time in class to ask a question to clarify the direction you might take, if you are unsure.


 * Make sure to read the assignment carefully - highlight relevant words/sentences/sections - and understand exactly what is being asked. Are you being asked for a history of the subject - or a detailed examination of one tiny piece of it for example. Always check back to make sure you're on track!


 * Build your own vocabulary of **academic language,** yes its english - but not as we know it!


 * **Answer the question** - big mistake to go off subject - may be interesting but no marks :(


 * You cannot **proof read** when you are tired, easy to lose marks for careless mistakes - try to finish one day early and proof read 24 hours later (yes we know impossible - but do try)


 * Give yourself enough to write about - Prepare well - lots of background reading especially journals ( examiners love journals!)
 * == http://www.spreeder.com/app.php?intro=1 ==

I find it useful for study and also for reading large amounts of text when its hard to stay focused! Enjoy!

 * Make a timetable with milestones - helps you to keep on track :)

Discovering a great new topic on the night before the assignment is due is not exciting!====
 * ====Don't be worried if your essay takes a new direction mid research, it could mean you found a new exciting area. By starting early on your assignment this will allow you to explore an new and exciting area without worrying too much about whether you have time to do it or not.


 * ===﻿__﻿__Flash cards are a great tool that can help you remember information. Don't put to much information on the cards and don't be afraid to illustrate them. The more you work at making a card distinctive and interesting, the easier you will find it to recall the information on the card.===
 * ====﻿ One concern for students is losing their work, particularly coming close to a deadline. There is always the risk of a crashed computer or a faulty USB etc. Because I work from a number of different locations and machines throughout the day, I got into a habit last year of working from Google Docs so that my work is always accessible virtually. When I start a new assignment, I open a doc. for my reading notes and another for references, which I fill as I go through my research. I regularly email updated versions of the documents back to myself (having saved them on the hard drive) so that I can always retrieve a recent version from somewhere. A simple numbering system means I don't confuse the versions and know which is most recent. Sounds convoluted perhaps..but it works well for me! ====


 * Use referencing software, the Zotero plugin for Firefox is a good one to check out


 * ==Avoid unnecessary distractions when you are studying such as phone, background noise, online chat.==


 * ===Some people study best in the morning, some at night time - find what time suits you best.===

(Note to self: must remember this).
 * Learn to recognise early the onset of procrastination. This Evil Stresser can take many forms - all to be avoided. Just sit down and get on with it!


 * Link, link, link! Link each paragraph to the next and every paragraph back to the question.