IMPROVING STUDY SKILLS IN A UNIVERSITY SETTING

Vera Zhuang Yaojia

Determining your Ideal Study Environment
One factor which influences performance is studying under circumstances which work
for you! Sitting at a desk in a quiet corner of the library may work for some, but not all
students. Everyone has his/her own study habits which are difficult to change. That is
due to the fact that students learn differently. The student, sitting at the library desk may
perform better lying on a couch with background music. The key is to determine how
you best learn! One activity is to have each student in your class respond to the
following questions, by circling either A, S or N for each statement. Then, place
students in pairs and share their responses with each other.

Use the following key when responding to statements:

A=Always S=Sometimes N=Never

1. I like to study in a quiet area. A S N

2. I like to work with background noise. A S N

3. I am distracted when others talk. A S N

4. I like to study in a cool room. A S N

5. I like to study in a bright room. A S N

6. I need a lot of space to study. A S N

7. I like to study at a desk. A S N

8. I like to relax when I study (sofa, bed). A S N

9. I like to study alone. A S N

10. I take notes when I study. A S N

11. I need to sub-vocalize when I study. A S N

12. I need frequent breaks (every 15 minutes) when I

study. A S N

13. I like to snack when I study. A S N

14. I like to study at a particular time of day A S N

_______________________(list time)

15. If I am interrupted when I study

(phone, people talking), I can easily
return to my studies. A S N

After students have had an opportunity to discuss their responses to the above
statements, have them develop individual study profiles, using the following chart.
The questions which pertain to each category are listed on the profile. Have students
use the responses to the above statements as they develop individual profiles.

MY STUDY PROFILE

PREFERENCES
Physical Setting (#1, 2) a quiet environment or have quiet
background music

Temperature/Lighting/Time of Day (#4, a bright room with ease temperature at

5,14) evening
 Seating (#6, 7, 8) At study room or at dorm

Distractions (#3, 15) Mobile phones or text messages

Study Aids (#10, 11) Prefer teachers’ or classmates’ help

Other Considerations (#9, 12, 13) The mood about study and the motivation

Students should try to establish study conditions which match their profiles. After two
weeks, have students come together to share the following:

● Feedback on comfort level when studying under ideal conditions

● Classroom performance (tests, participation)
● Perception on profile changes

Students may find it necessary to adjust profiles to alter any conditions which did not
seem to work. This can be an ongoing project throughout the semester. When students
determine their study needs, they can implement personal study plans which may
impact upon performance throughout their university careers.