Stay away from distractions, increase your efficiency!
Emphasizing the importance of setting goals and working efficiently to succeed in university exams, Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan said, “Care should be taken to stay away from distracting elements such as television, phone, and the internet during study sessions and breaks, as they can hinder study efficiency.”
Akoğlan, recommending students with focus problems to work according to the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break), said, “Attending class prepared will increase study efficiency by 100%.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Education Institutions and Guidance Services Manager, Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan evaluated the importance of setting goals and efficient studying to succeed in university exams.
Questions measuring focus, interpretation, and logic are prevalent
Noting that the accurate identification of subject deficiencies, the determination of clear goals, the structuring of study methods, and increasing motivation are crucial for success in university exams, Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan said, “In recent years, OSYM (Student Selection and Placement Center) has changed its question styles; question types that require more analytical thinking and measure focus, interpretation, and logic have gained prominence.”
How should an efficient study environment be?
Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan explained how an efficient study environment should be:
“The study desk should only contain materials necessary for studying. The room should not be too hot or too cold. Care should be taken to stay away from distracting elements such as television, phone, and the internet during study sessions and breaks, as they can hinder study efficiency. Music should not be listened to while studying or during breaks; if it is to be listened to, only instrumental music should be preferred during breaks. Constantly eating or chewing gum will reduce concentration. Additionally, studying while hungry and tired negatively affects study efficiency. At the end of the day, topics studied that day must be reviewed. As many questions and tests as possible related to those lessons should be solved, resources permitting.”
The study plan should also cover weekends!
Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan also noted that studying from the most difficult subject to the easiest subject during the day would be the most efficient method, stating, “The study plan should be created to cover every day of the week (including Saturday and Sunday). It is beneficial to start studying at the same time every day. Students with focus problems should work according to the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break).”
Don't pile up topics!
Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan stated that when creating a study plan, tasks can be listed and a suitable plan can be made according to priority, adding, “All lessons should be studied as they are covered; topics should not be piled up. When reviewing lessons, topics that are not understood should be identified and learned by asking the teacher without delay. Correct answers to incorrectly answered or unsolved questions should also be reviewed, just like misunderstood topics.”
Don't study in front of the TV, don't change your spot!
Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan also stated that in efficient studying, a verbal subject can follow a quantitative subject, and said, “When studying a verbal subject, key words and and sentences can be underlined with colored pens. Definitely do not study in front of the TV. Do not change your study location. Make sure to read a book for 30 minutes every day.”
Preparation for classes increases efficiency by 100%!
Providing tips on efficient studying, Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan concluded by saying, “Attending class prepared will increase study efficiency by 100%. Remember that anyone who knows and corrects their mistakes can easily achieve their desired goal with good effort.”