Is self-study effective?

Some students have tuition (or study together as groups) after school to help with their studies. Other students can control their own study time and place by studying alone. This is called self-study. Does self study really help a student improve? Or is it less beneficial compared to studying with others?

Different studying methods have different effects. Some advantages of studying by yourself include:

• Learning efficiently as you control your studies - You do your own research, plan out your study time and location.

• You learn at your own pace - No one is there to push you into studying and understanding things quicker.

• Strengthens problem-solving skills - You find your own answers to the situation.

• Helps you learn how to manage your time and priorities - You would need to know what you’re supposed to study for (or finish your homeworks first).

• No one is around to distract you - You will avoid getting into a long conversation and forgetting all about studying.

Next to advantages, there are also disadvantages to self study:

• When you do self study, there are times when you don’t know what to study. Which subject should you study? Which ppt should you learn?

• What happens when you lack time? There would be times when the due date is too close to a certain test. You might be confused, “Should I do homework first? Or study for my test?”

• There are also times when you don’t understand how to solve the problem well. Sure, the book can help! But the book only shows explanations, which might not help you. What about the internet? There’s not always the right answer.

• You might procrastinate or get distracted in between studying - this does not happen to everyone. No one can help get you back on track if there’s no one around to look after you while studying.

There may be more advantages listed above for self studying, but different people have different personalities.

Whether or not self studying is beneficial towards someone varies from how they act. Do they get distracted easily? Can they focus on a task for about *inserts time* long?

If they cannot focus on a certain task, it’s better to have supervision while they study. This way, not only do they get help when they don’t understand, but they will also be less distracted.

Different ages also vary with different studying methods. It is said that children are naturally curious and easily drawn to stimuli, this makes them focus less on what they need to finish. Therefore, they need supervision when finishing a task.

Unlike children, some teenagers that are capable of focusing on a task find it easier to finish quickly. They are trustable when it comes to self-studying.

References:

• https://www.upskilled.edu.au/skillstalk/benefits-of-self-study#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20benefits%20of,to%20strengthen%20problem%2Dsolving%20skills 

• https://visualsp.com/blog/5-problems-with-self-directed-learning-we-cannot-ignore/ 

• https://learn.rumie.org/jR/bytes/should-you-study-solo-or-with-your-friends-explore-the-benefits-and-challenges-of-self-study-vs-group-study/