Today I want to show you the most powerful and effective study skills around. They are simple and used by every blogger.
The idea for the post started after reading Teenius. Simon is a student blogger who currently has exams to deal with. So he sent out a request for Guest Bloggers. I replied with a post called Student Blogger Balance.
My post here is a follow up. Specifically it is a list of why bloggers are great studiers and how their knowledge of blogging and developed techniques in content development and social media are also the same study skills needed to be a great student.
1. Bloggers Follow a Schedule
As a blogger you already follow a schedule. Most have a post strategy. You also have a routine for when you check your email, write comments on other blogs and use twitter. These routines may not be written down but they will be obvious. Here are some examples:
- Check email once in morning then 3 times during the day
- Comment on 10 blogs before going to sleep
- Check twitter 10 times a day
As a student you also need to follow a routine. This starts by using a diary or calendar. Some people have a separate calendar for school and work, others don’t. I suggest putting due dates for exams and assignments on your blogging schedule. That way you will know in advance when busy school periods will occur and you can plan accordingly.
You also need to make time to study every day. I suggest studying before blogging and use blogging as a reward. This post describes the importance of a daily study routine as here is a PDF download of my suggested routine.
2. Bloggers have a defined workspace
A place to study is very important. It needs to have all your books, your computer and a comfy chair. It should be a place where you can sit for long periods of time and work. Oh look, I just explained a bloggers workspace as well.
Here on this blog I have written a number of articles about study spaces and ideal study locations. But you guys shouldn’t need to ready any of that because you already know and have created the ideal location.
3. Bloggers enjoy Words
When you study, or write assignments or complete homework you are spending most of your time using words. Bloggers enjoy words and read and write really well.
4. Bloggers understand SEO
Bloggers understand the importance of Search Engine Optimization. We know how to use keywords in our posts to get search engines to find our ideas. Well it is the same principle to use when researching a topic for an assignment. Make sure you search for key words, not broad terms.
5. Bloggers understand the importance of Scanability.
A Blog article is made up of headings and subheadings. We underline, bold or italicise key words. We write lists. Bloggers use this strategy to make the article easier to read and comprehend. This same strategy can be used when researching and writing notes.
When researching notes or revising for a test you need to read the headings and sub-headings first. Then you read all the keywords that are highlighted. They are highlighted because they are important. Then you move on to the lists, and then you read the information.
6. Bloggers already know and use many Note-Taking Strategies
What strategy are you currently using to plan blog articles? Do you use mind-mapping? Doodle ideas? Keywords? These same ideas can be used when making study notes.
And what is the all time favorite post format – LISTS. We all have them in our blogs. Well the best way to summarise notes is through lists.
And bloggers should be the masters of summarizing information into the smallest amount of words. 140 words or less even. That’s right! Twitter is a fun way to study and you need to check out this post to see why.
7. Bloggers enjoy communicating with others.
Blogging involves communicating with others. As a blogger we offer opinions, advice and constructive criticism. We know how to be polite while still explaining our point of view. Bloggers also take public scrutiny and we have thick skills. So I think Bloggers should be the best study group partners. These are the exact same skills needed when working on a group assignment.
Head my Warning
Bloggers already know how to study. But do they always use their time and skills effectively?
Probably not!
Bloggers are also the masters of disguise. We can trick ourselves and our families that ‘we are studying’ when really we are on twitter or researching a new post idea. You know I am right. We have all done it before. It is easy to look studious when sitting at a desk typing.
So do yourself a favour. When it is time to study, then study! Block out the Blogger Noise and get stuck into those books.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
All I can say is that students are used to be stressed and still do multi-tasking. And I get that from my personal daily experience
Great article, Ainslie, and thanks for linking back to the guest post you wrote at my blog.
In reply to the last comment, I find a really effective way of studying properly is to get off my computer and get away from it. My PC is in my bedroom, so I set my study area 2 floors away in the kitchen. No distractions there. I find that once I get sucked in to the computer, it often takes one thing which spirals.
For example, I came back upstairs to check my post had published OK. I then noticed I’d got a trackback from here, so I came and checked out your post. I then found myself tweeting my new post and this post, then checked my emails, then went on Facebook (where I started chatting to a friend, organising to go out), and before you know it I’ve wasted 20 minutes of valuable study time.
Damn I need some self control!
Hi Simon,
I must admit that I also need a break from the distractions of the computer when planning, studying or blogging. It is a good idea to have a change of scenery.
And if you looked at my previous post you will see that your change of scenery is your way of breaking a bad habit – you choosing another street to walk down.
Liane
I agree that students are used to being stressed but as a teaching I find that distressing. Some stress in good, but too much is harmful.
Multitasking is also a great skills to have, but only if you get the work done. I have now found that I work better when I complete one task before moving on to another.