Improve your study results with better study techniques! Your studies at KTH can be challenging and at a high speed, so don't miss out on the support we offer during your studies. Here we have gathered tips and the many different types of support you can receive.
Our best study tips
Planning and good study habits are very important for success in your studies, and there is a lot of help available. Here are our best tips for better study techniques.
Take 5–10 minutes after each lecture to review your notes. Highlight or write down any immediate connections between concepts, theories, or facts. Provide context/explanation for parts where you may not fully understand in the future.
Make sure to do any possible preparation before a learning activity. If you are expected to read something or complete an assignment before the activity, make sure you do so on time.
Rephrase what the lecturer says in your own words in your notes. You can also create mind maps, diagrams, or tree diagrams to represent the connections visually. Draw arrows, lines, or use colour coding to show how different elements are related.
Test yourself after exercises or lectures. What do you remember from memory? Start your next study session by trying to write down what you remember from the lecture, lab, or activity. Feel free to compare what you remember with what a classmate remembers.
Review your notes with a study group. Discuss how you see the connections between different parts of the material. Explaining how things are connected to someone else can help you solidify your own understanding.
Create visualisations. Use mind maps, diagrams, or tree diagrams to represent connections in your notes visually. Draw arrows, lines, or use colour coding to show how different elements are related.
Weekly summary. Dedicate time at the end of each week to summarise what you have learned. Review your notes from the week and create a clear map of the most important concepts and their connections.
Use the SQ3R method when reading. Quickly skim the text, ask questions based on the headings, and then actively read to find the answers. After each section, briefly summarise what you have learned.
Take notes while you read. To stay focused and remember better as you read, create a clear structure, summarise as you go, and review afterwards so you understand and can use your notes later.
Deepen. If you find areas where connections are unclear, do additional research or ask your teacher questions to clarify these points.
Use self-testing and say your answers out loud. For example, get help from a classmate and try to explain the answer to them. You can also use flashcards with the question on one side and the answer on the other. Different programs can be used to create your own quiz questions.
Study under the same conditions as on the exam. Put away everything that would not be allowed on your exam—books, computer, calculator, etc. You must try to retrieve knowledge from your memory without external aids.
Pause before self-testing. To get the best results from self-testing, make sure that at least 30 minutes have passed since you last looked at the relevant material. You actually learn better over time if you have almost forgotten the material between test sessions.
Break down problems into sub-steps. Choose a multi-step problem that you need to practice before the exam and go through your solution step by step, briefly describing the purpose of each step and why it is needed. Finish by reflecting on which parts are unique to this particular problem and which can be used in other situations.
Create an overview. Spend a minute or so at the beginning of the exam, quickly skimming through the entire test to get a feel for how much time you can spend on each question. Also, set a deadline for how much time you can spend on a task, so that you don't get stuck on a question.
Get enough sleep. Sleep strengthens learning by consolidating memories. But how do you sleep well? Research suggests that one of the most important factors is routine. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Schedule a 30-minute leisurely walk in daylight each day.
Establish a study routine. Identify three potential places where you can study. Try studying in each of these places for a week. Did you notice any difference? Then choose the place where you felt most productive and create a routine to study there regularly.
Stick to the routine. Stick to the routine by making a commitment, writing it down, and sharing it with someone. Once you have committed to acting, you are more likely to stick to the behaviour. Share your commitments.
Get a calendar. Choose either a physical calendar or a digital calendar app, whichever works best for you. Put all deadlines, planned social activities, and events on the calendar. Also, schedule study times. After a week, reflect on how well your calendar has helped you manage your time.
Create a to-do list. Before you start studying, write down a list of specific tasks you want to get done during your studies. Make sure each task takes no more than 20–60 minutes to complete. When you complete a task, cross it off the list and compliment yourself. On to the next task!
Gather practical study tips from others. Talk to classmates, other students or study coaches about how they organise their studies. Ask them to share their best tricks for planning, memory techniques and exam preparation. Write down the tips so that you have them ready when the time comes. Having a list ready will give you control.
Acceptance. Anxiety is a normal reaction to studying and performance, and an emotion that can easily trigger escape behaviours. However, clinical behavioural psychology shows that avoidance in the long run perpetuates anxiety. Therefore, it is important to stay in the situation and let the discomfort subside. In this way, you teach your brain that studying is not dangerous.
Evaluate your study anxiety and see that it is not that dangerous. Notice what you are worried about and try to evaluate your thoughts. How likely is it that it actually happens? Try sharing your anxiety with someone or just with yourself in a lighthearted way. For example: “Oh, I’m so worried about the exam right now.”
Overcome your anxiety. Now that you’ve accepted and evaluated your anxiety, it’s time to show yourself that the feeling isn’t overwhelming. Start with something small; the most important thing is that you do it and show yourself you can, even though it’s hard.
Ask a teacher or friend. State what you don’t understand or what feels difficult, for example: “I keep getting stuck on this assignment, can you help me just get over it?” Asking for help is doing something and can often reduce anxiety and create a sense of manageability.
Course: Applied Cognitive Psychology: The Science of Learning
There is a course at KTH (3 credit) where you can learn strategies for more effective learning and develop a study plan to create new study habits.
As a programme student, you must keep track of which courses are included in your programme and when the courses are given. You also need to know the learning objectives and course content of each course and whether the course has special eligibility requirements. Through the programme syllabus, you can keep track of all this and see which courses are included in your programme and when a course will be given in the year.
