How To Study Like A PhD Student And Score Top Grades In Every Assignment!

Most people think that PhD students are just super smart, but that’s not entirely true. The reason why they are so academically successful is because of the way they study, and you can study like a PhD student too! Studying like a PhD student requires a blend of scholarly thinking and a solid work ethic that is necessary for PhD students to follow. In this blog, we will learn how to study like a PhD student by completely mastering the art of academic thinking and research-first learning. Keep in mind that it can be challenging for you to get used to a PhD student’s workflow, but after a while of putting in constant effort, you will get accustomed to this study routine very soon!

What Is Academic Thinking And Why Is It Important?

We have used a term called academic thinking already, and it is an incredibly important part of your journey to study like a PhD student. Academic thinking, or scholarly thinking, refers to the mental shift from memorising what you see and hear to analysing why you saw or heard that piece of information. It also involves identifying evidence to prove whether or not the information you received was verifiable or not.

Scholarly thinking is an important part of studying smartly because of the following reasons:

It Moves You Beyond Description:

Most students only describe what happened, but academic thinking helps you explain why and how it happened. This automatically moves you from a B-grade level answer to an A-grade level answer.

It Future-Proofs Your Work:

When you think like a researcher, you anticipate the counterarguments before you finish delivering the main argument. By addressing potential weaknesses in your own work, you make your conclusion secure.

It Enhances Originality:

Academic thinking allows you to find gaps in the current literature. Even if a school student points out that their textbook doesn’t cover every major area in their field of study, that demonstrates a very mature level of understanding and reasoning that contributes to drafting an original literature review.

Step 1: Define Your Study Goals Before You Begin Knowledge Synthesis

The first step in the process of ‘how to study like a PhD student’ is to set targets before you start studying. Most students make the mistake of not setting a particular learning goal before they start reading. A PhD student never reads just to read; they read to solve a problem. This kind of study strategy is also sometimes referred to as argument-centric learning, which is actually required to build scientific acumen.

Why Is Defining Learning Objectives Important For Improving Memory Retention?

When you define a goal first, your brain automatically enters a state of selective attention. This is especially important for a question-led study, as your focus is purely towards answering one particular question. This makes the stage of knowledge synthesis significantly easier because you aren’t dealing with a mountain of random notes; you are instead dealing with a curated collection of high-value insights that directly address your research problem.

Step 2: Follow Your Curiosity

If the first step was about identifying the problem, the next step is about the investigative work. The process of knowledge synthesis takes place when you follow the scent of a concept. Basically, curiosity is not just a feeling in academia; it is a tool used to find hidden connections between concepts that your peers might miss.

The biggest mistake students make is treating their syllabus as a ceiling rather than a floor. It is not an objective with a definitive end; you have to believe that it is something that will expand continuously based on how much you are willing to learn. This is caused by a combination of scholarly thinking and research-first learning, which guides you on a journey to endlessly discover new information.

Step 3: Collecting Information In A Question-Led Study

Every study of yours should be a question-led study, as in you should try to find the answer to one particular problem when you begin gathering information. Before you open a book to study, you should prepare a list of high-value questions that you desperately need the answers to. Instead of formulating a strategy like, ‘I am going to learn about the French Revolution,’ set a goal like, ‘What were the primary socio-economic and political reasons behind the anti-monarchist uprising in France in 1789?’

The Selective Scanning Technique You Can Use To Master Argument-Centric Learning

1. Index and Abstract First:

Use the index technique to find and highlight the main keywords related to your problem question.

2. The ‘Meat’ Over The ‘Filler’:

Focus on the introductions and conclusions of the chapters, as these are the sections where the author states their claims. The middle is just the supporting data, but the answer to your question will be found in these two sections.

3. The ‘Three Pass’ Rule:

Use the first pass (read-through) to skim for relevant information, use the second pass to read for your understanding, and use the third pass to extract the evidence.

Step 4: Using Specialised Tools For Argument-Centric Learning

One of the best research tips that actually work for PhD students is leveraging various research tools that you have at your disposal. In an argument-centric learning model, the goal isn’t just to ‘know’ something, but to understand how different ideas corroborate or contradict each other. Instead of standard note-making, you should map your arguments by visualising the anatomy of a debate.

Break down an argument into four parts: the contention (your central claim), reasons (evidence that supports the claim), objections (evidence that refutes the claim), and rebuttals (your response to the objections). Then use research tools like Obsidian, Logseq, or Roam Research to use backlinks to connect notes so that you can find evidence to support your claims and offer counterarguments.

Step 5: Apply Your Learnings Often To Improve Conceptual Thinking

In the end, the best way to learn is to apply your learning to practical situations. If you want to learn how to study like a PhD student, you must understand that a core component of a PhD student’s routine is to consistently test their acquired knowledge by applying it in various ways. In argument-centric learning, application is always the ultimate stress test for your logic.

You can use the Feynman-Argument Hybrid Theory to apply your knowledge:

Most people use the Feynman technique to explain a concept simply. You can take this further by explaining a concept and defending it against a hypothetical critic.

The Exercise:

Record a 2-minute voice note or write a paragraph explaining a complex idea to someone who disagrees with it. This will help you with advanced scholarly thinking.

The Goal:

If you can’t explain why a counter-argument is weaker than your primary claim in simple terms, then you haven’t mastered the concept; you have merely memorised the jargon. That’s not your objective in question-led learning. Your goal is to be able to explain a topic in a way that your explanation appeals even to those who don’t necessarily agree with your main point.

How To Reduce Friction While Learning As A PhD Student?

A PhD program lasts from 4-6 years, but since that isn’t the case for you, you’ll have to study in a limited amount of time with the same routine as a PhD student. This can cause friction and burnout, but that can be avoided if you study smartly. Here is how you can avoid burnout while practising research-first learning.

Externalise Your Working Memory:-

The greatest source of friction for a PhD student is ‘what was I doing?’ To eliminate this confusion, spend the last few minutes of each study session writing a bulleted list of exactly where your logic left off. This way, you can catch up while further exploring your topic.

Transition From ‘Reading’ To ‘Scanning For Arguments’:-

PhD students often feel guilty for not reading every word of a 40-page paper. However, your focus shouldn’t be mere reading, as research-first learning is only possible if you scan for arguments that you need the answers to, rather than merely gathering information.

Build a Modular Writing Habit:-

The friction of writing a big assignment like a dissertation is terrifying, but that can be overcome by building a modular writing habit. Instead of writing an entire chapter, write a 200-300-word note on a single concept, citation, or observation. This will help you build your academic writing skills over time.

Create Focus Triggers For Content Switching:-

PhD students are unable to make a smooth transition from one task to another because of their hectic schedule. To overcome this weakness, assign a specific place, a time, an emotion, or maybe even a scent to focus specifically on one topic. This is one of the best tips for your first academic conference as a PhD student, as you’ll be able to follow the speakers as they move from one topic to another.

Automate Your Research Pipeline:-

Manual management of your bibliography causes low-level friction that drains your energy in the long run. Instead, use tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or Obsidian to manage your bibliography via AI. Automating your bibliography will not only help you in knowledge synthesis but will also help you save time and energy.

Conclusion

If you wanted to know how to study like a PhD student, you probably already knew that it was not going to be your standard, run-of-the-mill process. The way PhD students learn is designed to get to the bottom of the problem and find the root cause, and link it to every other component of the problem. Fortunately, these study techniques are not only helpful for PhD students, but also for you as well. With these tips, you will be able to broaden your theoretical knowledge, sharpen your conceptual thinking skills, and master the art of knowledge synthesis like a professor. If you want help improving your research skills, feel free to contact India Assignment Help!