Reviews
'Must' for all new students (and HE management!)
I'd thoroughly recommend this book for any student heading for university. It's a really accessible summary of decades of research on learning, that would allow students to maximise their chances of success.
On a separate note, it also should be compulsory reading for anyone changed with responsibility for Learning & Teaching in Higher Education. All to often those in HE management fall in love with educational fashions like learning styles of mindset, but they'd get much more of a return from implementing the research that this book discusses. 5 out of 5 stars.
Ian R Wells
Highly recommended book on academic skills backed by research and underlined with humour
Excellent book on two fronts - psychological research to underline that often what we think works well for studying actually doesn’t and very practical , clearly explained advice on how to actually use that research. Very well written with a sense of humour that doesn’t detract, but helps lighten what can be dull - it is study skills after all! Highly recommended and finding it helping with current studying approach - tweaked revision technique for a test and noticed the difference in recall. 5 out of 5 stars.
Chris Winson
Belongs on that yard-long shelf of books which every committed student should have at the ready
Whether you aspire to make the very most of your study-time or are charged with enabling others toward that aim, the stories and case studies in The Psychology of Effective Studying bring a vast array of breakthrough strategies to life. Dr Paul Penn’s insight and understanding skilfully inform each and every page of this compendium, aimed squarely at those of us who are committed to making success-stories of our personal, professional and academic endeavours.
Brilliant in its approachability, it’s packed from start to finish with sound principles, insights and techniques. Every page is a call to arms, with immediately practical guidelines for concentrating your thoughts and emotions, and an incentive to more fully embrace the psychology which underpins nearly every aspect of academic attainment. A must-have for your bookshelf.
5 out of 5 stars.
Max Eames
Effective book
I loved this book - so much to reflect on, learn from and integrate into studying and planning studying. I loved the verbose approach - learned lots of new words - who knew postdictive was a word?! - it's my latest favourite one. I found the content really thought provoking - when it's said like that, it's obvious, right? I did find the puddle jumping from academic to geezer a bit unnecessary (got the impression was being aimed at younger readers), but to be forgiven as so much to take away to inform studying. Very easy to read, lots of evidence cited to inspire confidence in the assertions made and structured in a way that is useful to use for reference. Good work Paul! 5 out of 5 stars.
Marion Nash
Ideal for undergraduate studies!
What a cracking book! I love Paul's writing style and his insertion of comedy here & there to keep the text 'alive'; I was laughing from the intro 😁 I think this'll be a very useful book for my degree. Recommended! 5 out of 5 stars.
Elton Angle-Smith
This will help you to make the most of your study time
Very easy to read and encouraging in tone, all the advice is supported by evidence but the writing is practical rather than technical. Everything here is of use in effective studying and there are guides for how to implement the ideas. An easy book to read in sensible chunks. 5 out of 5 stars.
Anna M Stone
Practical tips on how to study effectively
This is an invaluable book, whatever stage of your academic studies from first year undergrad to postgrad degrees and beyond. Written in an accessible and funny style but backed up with scientific research and evidence, you can't go wrong if you follow Dr Penn's advice. A must for all students!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
Meg A.
The book students have been waiting for!
At last, a book packed with strong, evidence-based advice on how to find your way through the quagmire of a degree and come out the other end successfully. There are elements of any degree that make any of us nervous, whether they be exams, teamwork, presentations, essays ... the list goes on and, whilst every "study skills" text will cover them, this book does it from the standpoint of psychological research into how we think, remember and know. The book is beautifully readable (in fact, I found it hard to put down) because of the author's accessible and humorous style. For anyone starting or in the midst of degree studies, this is THE ONE book that you need. 5 out of 5 stars.
Dr Rosamond Watling, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Regent's University London
An excellent book! All the topics are very well written and easy to digest.
I highly recommend it! 5 out of 5 stars.
Arjan Hasa
Every course should start with this
I didn't expect this book to be so useful! At times it can feel a little dense but the author does his best to present the information in a light and fun way. The biggest takeaways for me were learning about meta-cognition, the importance of regular self-testing and the 3R technique.
Honestly, all courses should do a few lessons on this no matter the discipline. It would really help people how to actually *learn* and not just read and highlight notes. 5 out of 5 stars.
Treebird
This is a fantastic book for students (and anyone else interested in learning!). It is engaging, accessible and generally enlightening. In places, it made me laugh out loud!
Full of practical advice on how to approach studying more effectively. Well written; thoroughly recommend. Thank you Dr Paul Penn. 5 out of 5 stars.
Chris A.
Excellent book on study skills
This is an excellent book providing a vital guide of key study skills that every university student should have! Excellent addition to our core textbooks in psychology and one book that students can use throughout their degree. 5 out of 5 stars.
We all remember a lecturer that made our learning easy and fun. Books that speak to us in a way as if they fully know us and what we need to learn and improve. Engaging fully into this book comes naturally. I wish I had read it when I studied but still it is not too late to read it or give as a present to the one who started university. With this great book I wished my niece and nephew lots of success in their path of a bright future that only learning can bring. Thank you to the author Dr Paul Penn that made my present to them a very good one. Truly a great read, lots to learn from The Psychology of Effective Studying. How to Succeed in your Degree. 5 out of 5 stars.
Nevila Dyli
An easy to read academic text written and illustrated in a funny and relatable tone
An amazing approach to effective study skills, perfectly illustared with relatable examples and supported with scientific evidence. The guidance provided in this books will help the reader develop important transferable life skills, regardless of course or professional field. For example, Dr Penn has provide clear guidance on time management, combating procrastination, planning effectively and realistically for assessments, team work and colborative efforts. One can easily see how such skills will be essential for any degree route and indeed professional environment. 5 out of 5 stars.