Start by watching one of the following videos
Program
Introduction
Ask yourself
- Do you want to work out how your personality type may impact on your study habits?
- Do you want to work out how to use effective study habits that work best for you?
- Do you want to work out how to limit your distractions and focus on your study?
Why take this module?
- You will learn what you need to do to identify study habits that work for you
- You will learn how to manage your time to fit all your studies in
- You will discover some tips and tricks to help you limit distractions and focus on studying
What you need to know
If you identify and use study habits that work for you, and learn to ‘self-regulate’ your approach to studying, you can be more efficient and effective in your studies; focus on works for you. Developing good study habits can take time but improves with practice. As students, you need to have both the ‘will’ and the ‘skill’ for successful academic performance (Pintrich, R. R., & DeGroot, E. V. (1990). This module is about helping you identify the best learning strategies that suit your personality type so that you can learn, remember and understand the course materials more efficiently and in more depth.
By the end of this module you will:
- Have identified your preferred learning style
- Found out more about what good study habits are
- Become aware of what may distract you from studying and know what strategies you can use to stop procrastinating and get on with studying
- Have better time management skills
- Be prepared to engage in a deeper level of learning to improve your academic success
Video Content
Introduction to Myers Briggs Personality Test
Proven effective study skills
Identifying the right study skills to focus on
Inside the mind of a Master Procrastinator
Tim Urban
Take the Personality Quiz
Take the personality/learning self-assessment quiz – then make a list of study tools that best suit your personality type – you can focus on using these tools from now on.
Step 1: What are your preferences?
Write down the letters that you have selected in the self-assessment grid below and use this code in the tables that follow.
| Preference Scale 1 – How do you focus your attention and energy? | |
|
Extroversion (E)
|
Introversion (I)
|
| My Preference Scale is E □ or I □ | |
| Preference Scale 2 – How do you take in information, become aware of others and events? | |
|
Sensing (S)
|
Intuition (N)
|
| My Preference Scale is S □ or N □ | |
| Preference Scale 3 – How do you evaluate information, reach conclusions, make decisions? | |
|
Thinking (T)
|
Feeling (F)
|
| My Preference Scale is T □ or F □ | |
| Preference Scale 4 – How do you select your lifestyle, relate towards the outside world? | |
|
Judging (J)
|
Perceiving (P)
|
| My Preference Scale is J □ or P □ | |
Step 2: What are your personality characteristics?
Check your personality characteristics from the letter combination that you derived in the previous table.
Step 2: What are the implications for your learning? Make a list of study tools you can try out!
From the codes see how these traits could impact on the way you learn. Remember, this is just a guide to get you thinking, it does not ‘define’ you in any limiting way. There are no good or bad personality types. These codes are only a guide but could help you think how to adapt to improve your learning strategies.
Note: most learning types would benefit from switching off social media when you’re studying.
| Extrovert (E) | Introvert (I) | ||
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
| Recommendations: study buddying, study as if preparing to teach someone else
Potential study tools:
|
Recommendations: contribute to discussions by writing down what you want to say
Potential study tools:
|
||
| Sensing (S) | Intuitive (N) | ||
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
| Recommendations: move from familiar facts to abstract concepts; use multimedia techniques for learning
Potential study tools:
|
Recommendations: look for opportunities to use self-instruction modes, e.g. using multimedia
Potential study tools:
|
||
| Thinking (T) | Feeling (F) | ||
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
| Recommendations: seek guidance/ explanation form lecturer if course appears to lack coherence
Potential study tools:
|
Recommendations: try to establish rapport with lecturer by asking questions, seeking more explanation. Look for practical examples to explain the theory.Potential study tools:
|
||
| Judgement (J) | Perceiving (P) | ||
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
Learn best:
|
Challenges:
|
Recommendations: Build flexibility into work plans to accommodate unexpected changes. Read the topic guide and ask questions if marking criteria are unclear.Potential study tools:
|
Recommendations: find novel ways to tackle assignments; break longer assignments into smaller sub-tasks
Potential study tools:
|
||
MBTI information adapted from McMillan, K & Weyers, DB 2011, The study skills book, 2nd edn, Pearson, Harlow, England; New York.
Other sources: The Study Gurus; Online Study Tools for Students
Take the Study Habits Quiz
Other things to think about:
- Read and complete the activities in the ‘Learning to Learn’ guide.
- Work out what is your preferred study environment – The best environment for studying
There are some basic conditions which are widely accepted as being the ideal for individual studying, no matter where the study area or the activity is, or whether you are online or off-line. ALWAYS try to find or set up an area which has:
- Good ventilation
- Good lighting
- Comfortable temperature
- Space for study materials or computer equipment
Other elements will depend on your learning style and personal preference. For example, it is important to work out the amount of noise which you like or can put up with when studying – do you study best with some noise in the background or with as much quiet as possible?
What is the best time of day for you to study?
Are you most productive in the morning, afternoon or evening? Only you would know how your body clock works – some people are more focussed first thing in the morning, others get more done at night. You may want to program your dedicated study time around when you are most productive and fit everything else around that.
Developing better time management:
- Identify how you can use your time more effectively
- Complete the modules on ‘Getting Things Done’ on The Desk.
Developing your self-regulated study skills:
Now that you have identified your preferred learning style, you’re aware of what good study habits are, and you understand the importance of self-reflection and reviewing your approach to study… you’re well on the way to becoming a self-regulated learner… so keep at it!
Remember: self-regulated learning improves with practice, so put a reminder in your phone to review and reflect on your study habits regularly – at least once a month!
Ask yourself: Am I using the right study tools that fit the task or should I try other study tools to be more effective?
Building blocks to success
To learn successfully you need to use opportunities to explore, understand and apply ideas presented in your course. While you might have a preferred learning style – you need to back this up with other ways to build your knowledge and skills – such as lectures, reading etc. The faster you get used to the different learning opportunities available, the more successful you will become. Here’s a quick overview on page 8 of this great guide.