Study Habits
By Sara Silverman
March 13, 2025
Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/people-sitting-down-near-table-with-assorted-laptop-computers-SYTO3xs06fU
A college workload demands time, effort and energy. However, practicing effective study habits can help guide students to success while eliminating the stress that comes with both test-taking and completing assignments.
Dr. Yvette Motley, a Learning Schools Specialist at the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center at the University of Maryland, discusses how studying can be portrayed as a stressful task but with the right tools it can be a productive and stress-free process.
She provides academic coaching through one-on-one strength-based coaching. While helping students achieve their academic goals, Motley teaches them skills that could guide them toward success.
“Students are coming to us advocating to get support with their study strategies for learning new skills to help them be better learners,” Motley said. “I am there to kind of activate their learning, but also help them to enhance their learning through using evidence-based strategies.”
Motley suggests body doubling which is studying next to another person who is doing the same work as you. This study tool often motivates students, allows them to lean on others for support and encourages focus. She also suggests the “two-minute rule” which is when you do an item on your to-do list that would take two minutes or less.
“Those are the ones that typically get pushed off and pushed off until you hit the deadline or you missed the deadline altogether,” Motley said. “It helps you feel productive and helps you stay up to ask.”
Lindsey Rosenberg, a sophomore public health science major, said that her most helpful study methods include active studying like writing down information, quizzing herself and teaching the information to someone else. But, her biggest key to success so far has been spreading out her work rather than cramming.
“When it is time to study for a test or I have a major practical or something going on in one of my classes or a major assignment, I have enough time to dedicate to that and not have to worry about my other assignments that I could have done earlier,” Rosenberg said.
Emily Berman, the Education Development Specialist in the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, said that studying is connected to metacognition. It requires students to evaluate their knowledge and skills and figure out what they know and don’t know.
Berman notes that many students enter college without the skill of metacognition. The lack of metacognition leads to students studying the wrong information for an exam or studying in a way that does not best prepare them.
“It's about understanding what you really know and what you don't know and that's a really hard skill that you have to be explicitly taught how to do,” Berman said. “So when they get to their first set of exams…they don't even know where to start.”
While studying can be hard on its own, studying with distraction can be nearly impossible. Motley said that the biggest distraction for many students in this day and age is their phones. She suggested utilizing the Pomodoro method where students set a timer on their phone for up to 45 minutes, place their phone away from them and do work until that timer goes off.
Motley and Emily both noted how important setting realistic goals are when it comes to studying. It allows students to feel capable and motivated rather than discouraged. When students complete their set goals, they often feel a sense of accomplishment or relief.
One of the best steps toward success that a student can take, according to Yvette, is asking for help. Seeking help can mean going to office hours, emailing a teacher, talking to a classmate or utilizing resources like the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center. Studying does not need to be a daunting task on the to-do list, especially when there is a system of support implemented for students.
“The learning journey is not meant to be done alone,” Motley said.
Dr. Yvette Motley, a Learning Schools Specialist at the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center at the University of Maryland, discusses how studying can be portrayed as a stressful task but with the right tools it can be a productive and stress-free process.
She provides academic coaching through one-on-one strength-based coaching. While helping students achieve their academic goals, Motley teaches them skills that could guide them toward success.
“Students are coming to us advocating to get support with their study strategies for learning new skills to help them be better learners,” Motley said. “I am there to kind of activate their learning, but also help them to enhance their learning through using evidence-based strategies.”
Motley suggests body doubling which is studying next to another person who is doing the same work as you. This study tool often motivates students, allows them to lean on others for support and encourages focus. She also suggests the “two-minute rule” which is when you do an item on your to-do list that would take two minutes or less.
“Those are the ones that typically get pushed off and pushed off until you hit the deadline or you missed the deadline altogether,” Motley said. “It helps you feel productive and helps you stay up to ask.”
Lindsey Rosenberg, a sophomore public health science major, said that her most helpful study methods include active studying like writing down information, quizzing herself and teaching the information to someone else. But, her biggest key to success so far has been spreading out her work rather than cramming.
“When it is time to study for a test or I have a major practical or something going on in one of my classes or a major assignment, I have enough time to dedicate to that and not have to worry about my other assignments that I could have done earlier,” Rosenberg said.
Emily Berman, the Education Development Specialist in the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, said that studying is connected to metacognition. It requires students to evaluate their knowledge and skills and figure out what they know and don’t know.
Berman notes that many students enter college without the skill of metacognition. The lack of metacognition leads to students studying the wrong information for an exam or studying in a way that does not best prepare them.
“It's about understanding what you really know and what you don't know and that's a really hard skill that you have to be explicitly taught how to do,” Berman said. “So when they get to their first set of exams…they don't even know where to start.”
While studying can be hard on its own, studying with distraction can be nearly impossible. Motley said that the biggest distraction for many students in this day and age is their phones. She suggested utilizing the Pomodoro method where students set a timer on their phone for up to 45 minutes, place their phone away from them and do work until that timer goes off.
Motley and Emily both noted how important setting realistic goals are when it comes to studying. It allows students to feel capable and motivated rather than discouraged. When students complete their set goals, they often feel a sense of accomplishment or relief.
One of the best steps toward success that a student can take, according to Yvette, is asking for help. Seeking help can mean going to office hours, emailing a teacher, talking to a classmate or utilizing resources like the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center. Studying does not need to be a daunting task on the to-do list, especially when there is a system of support implemented for students.
“The learning journey is not meant to be done alone,” Motley said.