The Psychology of Effective Studying

Author Paul Penn is the 2021 Winner of the Higher Education Psychology Teacher of the Year Award This book provides a vital guide for students to key study skills that are instrumental in success at university, covering time management, academic reading and note-taking, academic integrity, preparation of written assignments, teamwork and presentations. With each chapter consisting of sub-sections that are titled with a single piece of fundamental advice, this is the perfect 'hit the ground running' resource for students embarking on their undergraduate studies. The book uses evidence from psychology to account for the basic errors that students make when studying, illuminating how they can be addressed simply and effectively. Creating an 'insider's guide' to the core requisite skills of studying at degree level, and using a combination of research and practical examples, the author conveys where students often go fundamentally wrong in their studying practices and provides clear and concise advice on how they can improve. Written in a humorous and irreverent tone, and including illustrations and examples from popular culture, this is the ideal alternative and accessible study skills resource for students at undergraduate level, as well as any reader interested in how to learn more effectively.

Dr Paul Penn has been a lecturer in Psychology since 2007. He is a Chartered Scientist, Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society's Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology. He is also a fellow of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy). He has a YouTube channel that provides video guides on effective studying www.youtube.com/psychologyofeffectivestudying He also offers consultancy on using psychological research to improve learning and presentation skills. Visit www.drpaulpenn.com for more information.

Dedication Preface Chapter 1. Introduction: Metacognition: the foundation of successful studying (or at least how to avoid being 'that person' on the TV talent show) Chapter 2. Conquering Procrastination: Why it's so hard to DO IT. JUST DO IT! Chapter 3. Academic reading and note-taking: what we can all learn from 50 Shades of Grey Chapter 4. Academic Integrity, citation, quotation and referencing: Credit where credit is due Chapter 5. Producing written assessments at degree level: Producing quality written work shouldn't be rocket science, even if you're studying rocket science Chapter 6. Working collaboratively: There is no 'I' in team, but there is an 'I' in "I really hate teamwork" Chapter 7. How to deliver an effective presentation: It's not about you Chapter 8. Revision: Cleaning up a dirty word Index