Study Like a Champ: The Psychology-Based Guide to “Grade A” Study Habits

by Regan A. R. Gurung, John Dunlosky

Most college and high school students think they know how to study, but cognitive science has unveiled many myths about what really works.

This engaging, student-friendly book debunks major myths about studying and provides practical tips for studying smarter, not harder. Written by expert psychology teachers who also conduct the very research that these tips are based on, this book outlines clear steps students can use throughout their high school and college careers to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning. Numerous examples and self-assessments will help students apply the strategies to their own unique situations, so that they can begin and maintain habits that foster life-long learning.

Psychologists Regan A. R. Gurung and John Dunlosky are both award-winning teachers and researchers who have spent years conducting studies on how students learn. Not only have they published a significant number of scientific peer-reviewed papers on the topic, but they have received national recognition as teachers.

Genres: Psychology, Education, Nonfiction, Productivity

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2023

Reviews

[Reagan Kuennen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to see if I could use this as a book for my classroom this fall and I am pleased with the accessibility of it and how manageable it is to the common person. Definitely takes the same ideals from the Make It Stick study but makes it easier to understand and incorporate in day to day practice as a student.

[Millie Bramschreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to examine meta cognition and study habits, fairly accessible and interesting. Not my most favorite read, but not bad!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it accomplishes everything it set out to do. It’s really more of a workbook than your typical self help book. Majority of the information presented I was already familiar with but here are some new nuggets:
-the whole “typing on laptop is worse than handwriting for retention” thing? Not true
-interweaving is better than blocking for retaining information (doing questions on different sections mixed together vs going topic by topic)
-rereading/ rehearsing immediately after reading the first time has no impact
-my method of explaining to myself the underlying principle of the question and answer is actually helpful and backed up with research
To be totally fair, I’m not sure I was the target audience. As someone in a graduate school, a lot of the techniques just aren’t applicable for me anymore. That being said, I was impressed by the breadth of advice given course/ topic-wise and how they illustrated which techniques may work better for certain classes/ types of information, I really appreciated that the book really tries to focus on and teach evidence based techniques. Where the research just doesn’t exist, the authors do a good job being open about it and walking through their logic. I also found the examples to be quite useful. On the downside, I feel like much of the introduction and beginning could’ve been cut out. It spent a while telling the reader what it was going to tell the reader, and how the book would help, which I feel like is best served in the book blurb not the actual book itself. Like at this point, I’m here, I’m reading it, I don’t need to be convinced to read it.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is specifically targeted to college students to improve their study habits, which is great.....if those who need it will actually read a book about how to study. Somehow I feel like this will appeal more toward super nerdy students who are into the psychology element and less toward those who are struggling, unless it's assigned as part of a college 101 course (which wouldn't be a terrible idea). But, I hope those who need it find it, because it does have some helpful tips in here. I will be recommending it (or at least sections of it) to my students who are career changers and coming back to take hard science coursework and sometimes need a little help remembering how to study and how to study something so outside their previous wheelhouse.

There are also some things in here that may be helpful for adults who are wanting to learn new things and haven't had to "study" recently -- I think it could be helpful for anyone who has to take some sort of certification or licensing exam for their job, or for those looking to learn new, challenging content to pivot careers, etc.

The authors specifically say that it's not intended to be a book for researchers in the field, which makes sense because it's far too basic for them, but I do think this would be a great book for faculty to read. There is a lot of myth busting in this book, and I've heard faculty repeat and talk about these myths as though they're facts all the time (taking notes on laptops is inferior to hand writing, teach to each student's 'learning style', etc.) I think it could also help faculty improve their teaching and assessment planning to better help students learn.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the ALC.

[Stephen Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this: a lot of useful, evidence-based strategies organized in a coherent manner. I plan to use some of this in my classroom! My only gripe is that sometimes the information felt redundant to a point that it seemed like the authors were simply trying to fill the pages (of which this is already a pretty quick read). Overall recommend, especially if you are a student in high school or college, or a teacher w/ eyes toward helping your students improve their skills as students.

[lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the tips and tricks presented in this book, I already knew, but it was still helpful. I’m not a huge fan of the way the book was written. It felt more like a research report than a self-help book. Regardless, it gave me the motivational push I needed to study for my exams.

[Peter Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of really helpful strategies for students. I listened to the audiobook and think the print copy will be more helpful.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free from Libro.fm as part of the Educator ALC program.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, this is filled with somewhat obvious advice. In others, though, it breaks down myths about effective studying and focuses on just a few strategies that are proven to work. Because it is direct and well-documented while not being overly wordy, it's pretty accessible to the target audience.

The biggest flaw that I saw was that the focus was mostly on remembering/memorizing. There were some tips on understanding and putting things together, but it felt most useful in circumstances where the basic facts are most important... All preparing for high-stakes recall-type tests (with some application). And there are MANY classes and disciplines where the content may be important or foundational (where these strategies will be helpful), but it's the thinking and processing that center the learning. This will not help in writing papers or doing research, so might outlive usefulness in the first couple of years of college (the intro-type classes).

That said, if each student really internalized and used these methods, stress levels would reduce and much time and angst would be saved. So... I hope that every young person (early high school through early college) will read this and internalize the messages, especially about how NOT to study and the importance of managing time for learning/studying AND other tasks. It's short and direct enough for every student to benefit, so please go pick it up and do the basics: it is worth all of the lost hours of ineffective cramming!

[Brie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that it is directed (or at least I felt like) to courses in the STEM fields. Most of the strategies could be applied to all types of coursework, but the examples that explained how to use strategies used STEM-related fields. There were bits and pieces of the advice that was very much unrealistic if you want to do other things beside studying. I also didn’t understand why they proposed strategies but then acknowledged their limitations with lengthy studies? Then of course I’m not going to use it. This book had potential but it was badly organized and the strategies can seem confusing to implement as they are not written in a step-by-step kind of basis. Also it only includes strategies for exams and quizzes, but not for papers. If you want to read a book on studying smarter, I recommend Cal Newport’s ‘How to Become a Straight A Student’

[Corrin V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. More appropriate for High School and up. Advanced Middle School students may find this useful.

Gives lots of information on the theory behind strategies and then suggestions for use. One key takeaway is the accountability on the student to be responsible for their learning. There is no magic study bullet.

Another key point made is the necessity to calendar and plan not just for studying but for entertainment/enjoyment/fun. Intentionally including those components makes plans more likely to be successful.

[acastle apk · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear, informative content presented nicely for a student audience. Probably would have been 4 stars except that I listened to the audiobook and the only way to access supplemental materials like figures was to get a digital or print copy of the book.

[Buddy Draper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by a fellow teacher, but I was disappointed because this is aimed at college students. There are some principles that can translate to teaching fifth graders, but I mostly felt like reading this wasn’t a good use of my time, which is why I discarded it halfway through.

[Sheryl Shylo · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a psychologist I enjoyed the evidence provided for the recommended strategies. The authors wrote this book with early college students as the intended audience. The style varies weirdly from too easy and pedantic to dense and boring.

[smalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for class and I wish I had to read this when I first started college. It was very insightful and short. Too bad I almost done with college now 😭

[Morgan Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did have to read this book for a book study at school...the psychology behind studying is actually pretty interesting and not something I'd thought about!

[Adina Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is great for students that are taking a text based course, but as a math teacher, only one chapter was really beneficial to me and my students. I was a bit bummed about that.

[treelife · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this was not as helpful as I hoped it would be because I was already familiar with many of the strategies and pieces of research.

[Mary B]

I was very frustrated by the graphs I here that don't give actual data....but some good thoughts and perspectives.

[PM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book references science and has self-assessments to see how you can improve.

[Angela Scavone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great info to use as a psych teacher that I can pass along to my students!