Studying

It is possible to develop and improve your study skills. By using the SMART method you can learn to study strategically, be academically competent, have confidence about taking exams and manage your time well. Of course all this is only possible if you put in enough hours.

For a sound study approach the following aspects are important:

Academic competence: interest in your studies and confidence to succeed
Exam competence: confidence that you can pass exams
Time management: balancing the time you spend on studying and other activities
Studying strategically: matching your preparation to the requirements of your exams
Study hours per week: investing enough time in your studies

Want to know your SMART score? Take the SMART test and discover your strengths as well as the points you could improve.

Ten tips for studying better

Do	Don’t
1. Study actively and productively.	1. Passively soak up information like a sponge.
2. Differentiate between main and side issues.	2. Try to learn everything.
3. Take brief notes, make an outline or a mind-map, ask yourself questions, etc.	3. Just skim the texts or summarise them too extensively.
4. Try to understand the materials but, when necessary, also memorise important facts. Lecturers will give you clues as to what is important.	4. Only have a general understanding of the materials, or be unable to fall back on important basic knowledge.
5. While studying test your knowledge by asking yourself questions, discussing the material with others and looking at past exam papers.	5. Assume too quickly that you know the materials, or keep reading materials without assessing how well you actually know them.
6. Keep up your interest and enjoyment in your subject.	6. Feel that the only reason you are studying is to pass exams.
7. Build up confidence in yourself as a student by setting achievable goals and thinking realistically about how you can improve your own performance.	7. Underestimate yourself (I can’t do it, I passed because I was lucky), or overestimate yourself (I should be able to manage it in this short amount of time).
8. Organise your work, start revision and assignments in good time and study at a steady pace.	8. Let yourself get side-tracked: thinking about your free time whilst studying and vice versa, starting revision or assignments at the last minute, letting yourself be too easily distracted.
9. Make sure you have a suitable place to work. Find out where you are able to study most effectively.	9. Have a cluttered desk with insufficient room for your study materials; or a noisy workplace where people keep disturbing you.
10. Have a good strategy for your exams.	10. Just see how things go, because it’s down to luck on the day.

Workshops and training courses

Would you like to improve your SMART score? As a Leiden University student you can join one of our study skills workshops.

Free online programmes

GezondeBoel offers free online self-help programmes on studying:

Study strategies

A focussed start (in Dutch)

This page offers study tips related to using AI. Click here for more information on using AI when writing a paper or thesis.

Using AI for written assignments: what’s allowed and what’s not allowed?

Students are not allowed to use generative AI for written assignments unless their lecturer has explicitly permitted it. How you may use AI depends on the level of AI use your lecturer has chosen. Below, we explain what each level means and what you will learn (or not learn) when using AI in different ways. These guidelines apply to writing assignments completed outside a supervised setting (for example, at home).

Important:

If your lecturer says nothing about using AI, you are not allowed to use it.
Did you use AI? You must always account for your actions, explaining how you used it.
If you use AI in a way that is not allowed, it will be considered fraud.
The University Prospectus indicates the level for a particular course (where relevant).

What do the levels mean?

Level	What is allowed?	What do you learn (or do not learn)?
Level 1: Not allowed	Do not use AI. You do everything yourself.	You learn how to formulate your own research questions, find sources, structure information, develop arguments, and express your ideas clearly. If you are allowed to use AI later on, you will be better able to assess whether the output generated by AI is reliable and of good quality.
Level 2: Editing your work	You may only use AI to improve your text (spelling, grammar, wording). You are not allowed to have new texts generated.	You learn how to use AI to help make your text clearer and without mistakes. You still have to think yourself about the actual content.
Level 3: Brainstorming & initial structure	You can use AI to come up with ideas, find sources and create a first draft. You are not allowed to enter AI texts in your written assignment.	You can use AI to quickly generate ideas and find inspiration, but you must write the text and develop the arguments yourself.
Level 4: You may use AI for certain tasks or all tasks	You can use AI for all parts of your assignment, but you still have to think critically about the output and make adjustments.	You learn how to use AI as a tool, but you remain responsible for the quality and originality of your work.

What to be careful about if you use AI

Do not enter confidential information such as personal data.
Do not infringe copyright, do not use texts for which you have no permission. Do not upload documents or texts to Gen AI if they might be protected by copyright.
Always check that information from AI is correct (AI can make mistakes or even make things up).
Stay critical: AI can be biased or generate polished-sounding but meaningless text.
Be transparent: Always explain how you used AI.

Why are rules important?

Learning is something you do yourself. If you let AI do everything for you, you will miss out on developing the skills you will need in your future professional career.
Honesty: Your lecturer has to be able to trust your work and your thinking.
Quality: AI is a tool; it does not replace your own mind.

More information?

Questions?

If you have a question about how you can use AI in a course assignment, ask your lecturer!