For many students, even the most able, one of the hardest elements of exam preparation can be acquiring the skill of studying, writes Colin Murphy, head of study skills at Oxford Tutorial College.

Learning how to learn requires a degree of guidance and student-specific teaching that many A-Level courses are unable to provide.

Even those students who possess in-depth subject knowledge and bags of enthusiasm can stumble at the last hurdle if they lack the skills, motivation and self-belief that will enable them fully to realise their potential.

My own interest in finding ways that help people to study began when I took classes with a wonderful psychology lecturer who also happened to be researching how people manage their learning.

I quickly realised that, although in the past I had ‘got by’ with my highlighter pens and spider diagrams, there was a lot more that I could do to improve my results and to make my study less stressful and more enjoyable!

I find the learning process fascinating and, as head of study skills at Oxford Tutorial College, I am lucky to have the opportunity to develop and share this knowledge with every student who walks through our doors.

A good Easter revision course should not only provide engaging and dynamic subject classes, it should also enable students to develop sound study skills which can give them a fresh perspective on their learning. For this reason, all students taking a course on the OTC A-Level Easter revision course also attend a daily study skills seminar.

For some students I have worked with, it has taken just a few study skills lessons to revive their enthusiasm, get back on track and achieve excellent results.

As with all of our Easter revision courses, the study skills component has clear goals set out jointly by the students and teachers.

The key areas that we focus on include time management and planning, active learning, combating stress and anxiety, creativity, establishing a study routine and becoming a reflective learner.

I find that many students take a passive approach to their study.

They will read a text for homework but won’t remember much of what they read.

I teach many techniques that turn learning into a much more active process. This helps students to retain far more information in preparation for exams. Many students also find it difficult to deal with the stress of exams and, as a result, they behave in ways that are not useful. By learning to manage their anxiety and stress, students can improve their exam performance.

Being creative is another key skill.

It is important to emphasise that study does not have to be boring!

Creativity is a crucial aspect to learning and it can be developed to increase effectiveness. Students have access to computers, laptops and phones and I have found many ways for students to be creative in how they approach study.

Perhaps the most essential skill a student can acquire is the ability to reflect on what works for them and what does not work.

Students will quickly ‘write-off ’ techniques before they have truly tested them. I encourage students to keep a note of their behaviours, both good and bad, and not give up too soon! Successful study takes time and practice and they need to reflect on what works for them.

One thing that I always keep in mind is that every student is different and not all study techniques will work for everyone. I also offer a chance for students with unique problems to find solutions that are unique to them. This is perhaps one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my job.

Students nearing the end of an AS or A2 course often find their enthusiasm for the subject renewed by attending a revision course.

Their confidence restored,each year a number write to us in August, after receiving their results, to say how much they began to enjoy their studies again after Easter and what a difference it made!