Find out how to get the most out of your study sessions with these tips from UTS students.
Everyone studies differently. Whether you need silence, company, movement or even a fake deadline, the study hacks that work for your friend might not work for you.
That’s why we’ve collected a range of study tips from UTS students who take a variety of approaches. Not sure which study style you are? Try a few and see what clicks!
If you need a push
Starting can be the hardest part. If you need a little nudge to get going, here’s what other students have found helpful to start building momentum.
“Going from a state of not studying to a state of deeply concentrated studying is very difficult. Saying to myself that I will only study for five minutes gives my 'motivation ball' the kick it needs to start to roll, which usually enables me to go way beyond the initial five minutes I had originally planned for.”
Abbey
Bachelor of Science Bachelor of International Studies
“Locking in early and gaslighting myself that the deadline is earlier than I thought.”
Harsha
Master of Information Technology
“Putting my assignments to 2 days before it’s due that way I finish it before the actual due date.”
Tapou
Bachelor of Psychology
If this is your study style, you'll like:
- Workshops like How to study effectively, giving you practical skills to deal with procrastination.
- Study planners to help you balance deadlines, classes and social outings.
- Discipline-specific study guides to give you a starting point for your research.
If you're a structure seeker
You study best when things feel calm, predictable and distraction-free. Students who share this study style often benefit from routines, tidy notes and dedicated study spots.
“The one study hack that's saved me this session is writing my notes out by hand in exercise books and using different coloured pens to differentiate information so it's easier to read when revising for exams.”
Massimo
Bachelor of Business, majoring in Economics and Finance
If this is your study style, you'll like:
- Study planners to prepare for your assessments and organise your week.
- Silent and quiet study spaces on UTS Library levels 5 and 6 (Reading Room), 8 and 9.
- Bookable study spaces when you really need to lock in without distractions.
- Stationery from the UTS store to colour code your notes.
If you’re a social learner
You focus best when you’re around other people or there’s a bit of buzz in the air. Students with this study style often rely on shared environments or a study buddy (aka ‘body double’) to stay on track.
“Finding the most focused, locked in people at the library and sitting at their table. From that point on if I don't also lock in I'm ruining the vibe.”
Gulliver
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Biomedical
“My study hack is simple but works effectively, I just make it so I am not studying at home. I go into uni just to study, or go to the library, or to my girlfriend’s to be body doubled. Rely on the options you have rather than fighting distractions at home.”
Jeremy
Bachelor of Science (chemistry) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
If this is your study style, you'll like:
- Most of campus! Take your pick from Alumni Green, UTS Central levels 5 to 8 overlooking Central Park Mall, UTS Library level 7 and more.
- Tailored study help with a UTS librarian so you don't have to go it alone.
- UTS Peer Assisted Study Success (U:PASS) to learn with and from your peers in a relaxed, informal setting.
If you’re a tech learner
You prefer using digital tools to make studying clearer, quicker or more efficient. Students with this study style often turn to apps, AI and online tools to break things down or test their understanding.
“Give Copilot my study notes and get it to generate multiple choice questions for me to answer to reinforce the content.”
Claire
Bachelor of Economics majoring in Business Analytics
If this is your study style, you'll like:
- Copilot for AI assistance* as part of your UTS Student Microsoft 365 package
- Read&Write, a floating toolbar to help with reading, writing, research and revision.
- EndNote to help you collect, store, organise and output references.
- Online Library Chat for one-on-one support with finding academic resources, using the Library, referencing and completing your assignments.
* Just make sure you’re across academic integrity at UTS and familiarise yourself with the GenAI study guide to avoid academic misconduct.
If you need movement
Staying in one spot isn’t your thing and you focus best when you can move around. Students with this style benefit from quick breaks, task-switching or a change of scenery to keep their brain switched on.
“Segmenting. Instead of having a constant stream of the same activity, such as doing all the house chores in the same day versus all the studying in another, do a bit of physical activity versus mental activity each day - this split in pressure helps be more mentally present and engaged.”
Nafiz
Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
“Zero Hour technique. Essentially starting the morning right where your first hour becomes how you prep and set yourself up for success for the rest of the day. Try your best to minimise distractions, move your body, get some sunlight and hydrate yourself within this hour to intensify your focus for your study later.”
Shulin
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Mechatronics)
“A study hack that I have is to clean my room during study breaks so that I do not get too comfortable. This means I look forward to sitting down and studying, and if I end up procrastinating I have a clean room that is de-cluttered for the next study sesh! Clean room, clear mind.”
Laura Townsend
Bachelor of Communications majoring in Social Political Science
If this is your study style, you'll like:
- Alumni Green for outdoor charging spots and to touch some grass.
- Activate Gym to get out the wiggles.
- Outdoor terraces on level 8 of UTS Library to get some fresh air amongst the native plants.
So, which of these styles resonated with you? Feel free to try a few and see what fits.
If you’ve got a study hack of your own, we’d love to hear it!
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