If Only I Knew How to Do It... How to Study Effectively at University?

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2024-2025

Topic

The course introduces students to study techniques and approaches that can be used effectively in studying any subject and passing exams at the university. Classes will include developing study skills and attitudes through interactive tasks to enhance focusing, reading, comprehension, grasping the main points, memorizing and logical thinking. Students will analyze their own studying customs and strategies, and will be guided through changing these habits if necessary, in order to study more effectively and willingly. After providing some theoretical background in the lectures, students can put into practice each technique in the seminars.

Lectures

• 1. General characteristics of university studies. Types of classes, assignments, exams. - Farkas Ágnes
• 2. Know yourself: motivation to study - Farkas Ágnes
• 3. Know yourself: styles of studying - Farkas Ágnes
• 4. Know yourself: strategies of studying - Farkas Ágnes
• 5. Manage your study customs: optimal outer and inner conditions - Farkas Ágnes
• 6. Manage your study customs: time management - Farkas Ágnes
• 7. Study techniques: reading - Farkas Ágnes
• 8. Study techniques: studying from a textbook - Farkas Ágnes
• 9. Study techniques: taking notes, preparing an outline - Farkas Ágnes
• 10. Study sources: using a library - Farkas Ágnes
• 11. Study sources: using the internet - Farkas Ágnes
• 12. Test writing, question types - Farkas Ágnes
• 13. Preparing for exams, passing an exam - Farkas Ágnes
• 14. Presentations - Farkas Ágnes

Practices

Seminars

• 1. Motivation inventory - Pap Ramóna
• 2. Diagnosis of style of studying - Pap Ramóna
• 3. Reading comprehension practices - Pap Ramóna
• 4. Practices for focusing your attention - Pap Ramóna
• 5. Image memories - memory images - Pap Ramóna
• 6. Concentration practices - Pap Ramóna
• 7. Problem solving tasks - Pap Ramóna
• 8. Logical tasks developing combinatory skills - Pap Ramóna
• 9. Developing peripheral vision - Pap Ramóna
• 10. Increasing the width of visual fixation - Pap Ramóna
• 11. Rhythmic eye movements - Pap Ramóna
• 12. Practice to observe and increase awareness of study customs - Pap Ramóna
• 13. Implementing new study customs - Pap Ramóna
• 14. Summarizing experiences, feedback - Pap Ramóna

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Lecture materials and seminar handouts will be available in MS Teams.

Notes

Recommended literature

Marty Lobdell (2015): Study Less, Study Smart.

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Students are expected to attend at least 85% of classes and participate actively. They are required to complete several items of individual or team work either in classes or as home assignments.

Mid-term exams

Mastering the theoretical background and implementing the course material into practice will be checked by individual tasks and team work during classes, as well as home assignments.

Making up for missed classes

Students can make up for missed classes by completing assignments at home or by presenting a topic related to the course.

Exam topics/questions

1. General characteristics of university studies. Types of classes, assignments, exams.

2. Know yourself: motivation to study

3. Know yourself: styles of studying

4. Know yourself: strategies of studying

5. Study techniques: reading

6. Study techniques: studying from a textbook

7. Study techniques: taking notes, preparing an outline

8. Study sources: using a library

9. Study sources: using the internet

10. Test writing, question types

11. Preparing for exams, passing an exam

12. Presentations

13. Manage your study customs: optimal outer and inner conditions

14. Manage your study customs: time management

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Pap Ramóna