Best Study Hacks I’ve Learned During My Postgraduate Degree

Starting any type of study journey is exciting but daunting, and I remember being particularly nervous for my first assignment! I've discovered various study hacks over the last few years that have transformed my academic approach. These strategies not only boost my productivity (and grades), but also make studying more enjoyable. Here are some great study hacks I’ve learned during my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Efficient Article Research with Undermind

A major challenge in any type of study is finding the right scholarly articles. With so much information available, it can feel overwhelming. It is also an issue of accessibility, as many sources require certain access emails. Undermind has been recently recommended to me as a powerful tool for academic research. I'm not the type to use AI in my work, but I find that this is a medium between efficiency and personal research.

Undermind lets you search for scholarly articles while also showing their relevance. When you type in your queries, you get articles listed with a relevance percentage and a brief description. For instance, I once needed sources for a thesis about a specific, low-level case study. Thanks to Undermind, I quickly found approximately six articles relevant to my topic with an average relevance score of 85%. This feature saves time and helps you focus on vital literature without getting lost in irrelevant data. Overall, it's a useful feature I've only recently discovered for large courseworks or dissertation research.

Google Calendar for Enhanced Time Management

Managing time effectively is key when you're handling classes, assignments, and personal commitments. Google Calendar has changed how I plan my daily activities. I use this for tasks like 'going food shopping' or longer activities like a two-hour driving lesson.

This app allows me to schedule study sessions and deadlines in a clear, visual format. I color-code my calendar by category—academics are in blue, meetings in green, and personal time in yellow. This color-coding makes it easy to see how I spend my time. Using this type of planner has been highly useful for planning out my days. and making the most out of my days, particularly when I have plenty of deadlines due.

Google Calendar also sends reminders for tasks and events, ensuring I stay on track. This improved organization has boosted my productivity and alleviated anxiety related to managing a heavy workload.

A Change of Scenery

Studying at home often leads to distractions, from laundry to endless TikTok scrolling. To counter this, I started studying in different environments, which has significantly boosted my concentration.

My favorite spots are local coffee shops and libraries. The atmosphere in a coffee shop, with its buzz of conversation, keeps me energized, while the peacefulness of a library allows for deep focus. My university library has multiple levels with different sound 'allowances', and being on the quietest level is highly useful in times of exams or deep studying. I have a Costa drive-through near where I live, and it's a large space that is busy on the weekends but provides background noise when I need somewhere a little busier! I love an iced coffee and occasionally don't mind spending some money on a toastie or sweet treat if I need the motivation.

Establishing a routine that involves these study-friendly locations has greatly improved my discipline and focus.

Prepare the Night Before

A simple but effective habit I have learned to develop is preparing my bag the night before. This practice has a huge impact on my mornings and puts me in a better place when I wake up.

Before my lectures the next day, I gather my notebook, ensure my laptop is charged, and pack any additional materials (like snacks, lipgloss, a charger). This preparation eliminates morning confusion and allows me to wake up in a more relaxed state, especially if I'm already running late!

I’ve also adopted a small morning ritual: making my bed. This creates a tidy space and gives me a sense of accomplishment right away. Starting the day with this small success motivates me to continue building good habits. It's a habit I still struggle with sometimes, particularly if I'm exhausted in the morning, but I'm working on it!

Break Your Study Sessions

Taking breaks while studying is essential for long-term efficiency. One study hack that works for me is the Pomodoro Technique. This method involves studying for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. I find this particularly helpful in periods of 'burnout' or exhaustion, as it means I'm productive but not overworking myself. I sometimes find videos on Youtube that do the timers themselves and show the student working, as this makes me feel more motivated to follow along and focus properly.

This structure also allows my brain to "recharge," which I find useful when I need to retain information or focus for extended periods of time. After completing three study rounds, I reward myself with a longer break of up to 30 minutes, which could involve a snack or time on my phone.

Stay Active with Regular Exercise

Incorporating exercise into my study routine is a new effort that I've made in my final year. I read lots about exercise being beneficial for decreasing stress and enhancing focus, as well as for improving brain function. Although I've yet to see massive improvements, I definitely feel more awake and destressed. I go approximately three to four times a week (although this is dependent on my calendar!) and I'm trying to maintain this routine.

Consider integrating movement into your daily routine, whether through workouts or brief stretching sessions during study breaks. I find stretching a pleasant alternative when I'm perhaps not in the most active mood or I'm feeling under the weather! Staying active clears mental fog and increases energy, significantly boosting productivity during study periods, and this is something that I feel is necessary for achieving good grades and maintaining a happy lifestyle.

Wrapping Up

From using Undermind to employing the Pomodoro Technique for better study sessions, these hacks are things that have helped my academic experience significantly, and I would recommend implementing them into your own studies too. I wouldn't vouch for anything unless I truly believed in it, and I feel as if all of these are reasonable adjustments for studying techniques.

Effectively managing time with tools like Google Calendar and choosing optimal study environments creates a more productive lifestyle.

These hacks have greatly benefitted me on my academic journey, and I hope they prove helpful for you as well.