Managing your workload.

Compared to college and sixth form, higher education level study requires a lot more independence and self-directed learning. Now that we’re three weeks into the Semester and assignments are under way, we’ve put together some useful top tips for efficient studying, that will help throughout your whole time at Spirit Studios. 

Setting goals

Set goals and focus your studies. It can prove to be better to do concentrated study on one thing at a time, compared to surface-level study of a wide area. ‘SMART goals’ are a good way to do this, these are goals that are: 

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

‘Spaced Practice’ can be useful when it comes to recalling information over a long period of time. Here’s a breakdown of how this works:

• Day 1: Learn the material in class.
• Day 2: Revisit and review.
• Day 3: Revisit and review.
• After one week: Revisit and review.
• After two weeks: Revisit and review.

Whether you’re learning the specific order to powering up a studio, how to use a piece of outboard, or revisiting notes from a tutorial, this method can come in handy with making the information stick!

Take breaks

Having regular short breaks is proven to improve your productivity! A method known as the ‘Pomodoro technique’ is where you study for a 25 minute interval, then take a 5 minute break. After repeating this cycle 4 times total, then have a longer 30 minute break. Each work interval is called a ‘pomodoro’, the Italian word for tomato.

Your phone can end up being a great way to engage with studying, remembering, and revising. Digital noteboard apps like Trello and Evernote especially can help with keeping track of tasks, by letting you create checklists.

However, sometimes it’s also good to have a break from your phone… and apps like Forest can help in a big way with this, motivating you to leave your phone alone for short periods of time!

Plan activities outside of studying

Alongside studying, remember to look after yourself. Try to find time to do things that you enjoy doing to unwind – whether that’s gaming, making jigsaws, playing football, or practising an instrument. It will go a long way to help you relax and refocus, and boost your mental health. 

Want to listen to a chilled playlist when studying? For Spotify, check out this playlist, and for YouTube, check out this playlist. And lastly, remember to book in some time to utilise the studios and the equipment available to book out.