Accounts
Tips & Tools
The Study Cycle and Focused Study Sessions
The Study Cycle
Use the Study Cycle to improve your study techniques and ability to remember information.
Click/hover over each number to learn more
Focused Study Sessions
Focused Study Sessions (FSSs) work with the way your brain learns best: in short, focused increments. Schedule several focused study sessions per class each week.
Click/hover over each number to learn more
2015 Study Cycle and Focused Study Sessions
Note: Used with permission: © 2015 Louisiana State University. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of Louisiana State University. No other use is permitted without the express prior written permission of Louisiana State University. For permission, contact cas@lsu.edu.
Preview
- Before class, skim new material.
- Note big ideas.
5-15 minutes
Attend
- Go to class!
- Take notes.
- Ask Questions.
Review
- Read notes.
- Fill in gaps.
- Develop questions.
10-15 minutes
Study
- Schedule several focused study sessions per class each week.
30-50 minutes
Check
- Can I teach this material to someone?
- Are my study methods effective?
PLAN
- Decide what you will accomplish in your study session and get started.
- (Suggested time: 1-2 minutes)
STUDY
- Interact with material: organize, concept map, summarize, process, read, work problems.
- (Suggested time: 30-50 minutes)
BREAK
- Step away from material to clear your head.
- (Suggested time: 5-10 minutes)
RECAP
- Go back over, summarize, wrap-up and check what you studied.
- (Suggested time: 5 minutes)
CHOOSE
- Should I continue studying?
- Should I take a break?
- Should I change tasks or subjects?