Trisha Shankar

My top 5 study tips

1The Pomodoro Technique is my go-to study method, especially when I have a lot of content to cover. It helps me remember to take regular breaks as I study, and is so flexible, so I can tweak the timings of each study session/break to match the subject I'm covering.

2Taking regular 'nature breaks' - I always make sure to leave my study space and go outdoors when I take study breaks. This could be a walk, or just sitting in the backyard and having some coffee - it helps take a real break, while also breathing in some fresh air and getting some sunlight.

3Hydration - I always keep a 1L bottle of cold water at my desk, and I aim to go through 3-4 of these a day! It's a great way to stay hydrated which is obviously so important for functioning, and it also keeps me refreshed throughout the day. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll even add in some cucumbers or strawberries for some flavour!

4Spaced repetition - this is something that helped me during my HSC and in university right now! Every week, I dedicate time to summarise my notes (so I'm not left with 100+ pages of notes to summarise a week before exams) and I revise them, which stores the content in my long term memory. It really makes exam preparation so much easier!

5Applying it to the world around you - critical thinking is super important in high school, university and beyond. This is why a great skill to have is to reflect on your learning and the content's position in the real world. Maybe it's a specific theme from the Shakespeare play you're studying, or for me right now it would be the law or concept I'm learning. It also helps you further analyse your text, its significance and even helps you remember content better.