OU students share their best study advice

Whether it’s 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’s what they said:

1. Set yourself small goals

Setting some achievable goals can help keep you motivated. Reward yourself every time you reach one of your goals:

@kelly.dace – Reward yourself – so I gave myself an episode on Netflix for every 2 hours of study ?

@my_magical_disney_life – When you’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!

@taylorsized – Only ever do small tasks. They just add up to create one big achievement.

@planetgazer_gal – Celebrate the wins, no matter how small you think they are they’re getting you one step closer to your goal.

2. Study advice from tutors

Lots of students heard their best study advice from their tutors:

@longtalljulie1969 – My first tutor told me there’s no such thing as a silly question- if in doubt, ask.

@fmmackenzie – 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.

@iamtarag7389 – Remember that you are still learning the course subject! you aren’t expected to know everything – best advice I had ever received from a tutor.

3. Find a study method that suits you

Everyone works differently but here is what works for some students:

@nickiw39 – Do your references as you go! Bookmark everything and never ever give up. It will get done.

@michael.oliver.3705 – Get up early and study. It’s easier and your memory is working on full power!

@lynnlog669 – The 30 to five rule. 30 minutes of studying and then five minutes looking away. Also study early in the morning.

@jakwils29 – Index cards are your friends! I wish I’d known what I know now about index cards when I was 15.

4. Stay organised

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:

@ol_li_e – I always kept two sets of notes ‘general and TMA focused’. My general notes were always condensed down to a few spider diagrams by the end of my exam revision, and these were the last things I looked at before I went in.

@loldfield1998 – When doing TMAs read every sentence and write a checklist of things to do. Some marks may be hidden in the smallest sentences.

@mancbird46 – Save your work!! Even if just answering a phone, the door, call of nature – always save your work before walking away from your computer!