German students have long since ceased to be at the forefront of international academics. This is shown by the grades from previous semesters:
29% of the students surveyed failed their exams. And only 48% of these students achieved double-digit grades in the previous semester. It is striking that the "satisfactory range", between 7 and 9 points, is relatively weak.
Interim conclusion:More than half of German students are currently graded below their actual potential.
Why is that? To find out, the following section analyzes the learning behavior of the respondents.
Reading time: 6 minutes
[2024] Shocking study at German university:
Students study an average of 34 hours for only 7 points in an exam
346 students from various degree courses were surveyed about their studies. Although the results are shocking, they reveal a new, highly efficient learning method.
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Reading time: 6 minutes
2. learning behavior
Students study an average of 37 hours per semester
Just 6% of the students surveyed study less than 5 hours for an upcoming exam. In contrast, 33% study between 50 and 100 hours - every semester.
It is also important to mention that the maximum value of 100 hours was selected in the survey. It is therefore unclear whether and how much more than this is spent studying.
If you look at the average grade of 7 points with an average study time of 34 hours, one thing becomes very clear:
German students waste their time studying. Learning could be much more efficient.
But which learning method costs so much time? To answer this question, the following section shows how students really "study" for upcoming exams.
It is also important to mention that the maximum value of 100 hours was selected in the survey. It is therefore unclear whether and how much more than this is spent studying.
If you look at the average grade of 7 points with an average study time of 34 hours, one thing becomes very clear:
German students waste their time studying. Learning could be much more efficient.
But which learning method costs so much time? To answer this question, the following section shows how students really "study" for upcoming exams.
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3. learning method
The most popular learning method costs time and nerves
The most popular learning method among German students is study notes. These are either downloaded from the internet, distributed in Whatsapp chats or made by students themselves.
Old and mock exams are also very popular among students. As the second most popular learning method, these are primarily skimmed over in the last two weeks before the exam and compared with their own solutions.
The study shows that the scripts themselves are used a lot. Interviews have shown that notes are often made directly in the scripts and then serve as the basis for the study notes.
The problem with this learning method is that it clearly does not work, as 346 participants in the study prove. On the one hand, students waste their time and cut short their exam preparation in the wrong places - with fatal consequences, as the next section shows.
Old and mock exams are also very popular among students. As the second most popular learning method, these are primarily skimmed over in the last two weeks before the exam and compared with their own solutions.
The study shows that the scripts themselves are used a lot. Interviews have shown that notes are often made directly in the scripts and then serve as the basis for the study notes.
The problem with this learning method is that it clearly does not work, as 346 participants in the study prove. On the one hand, students waste their time and cut short their exam preparation in the wrong places - with fatal consequences, as the next section shows.
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4. conclusion
The fatal consequences of the "most popular" learning method
A total of 346 students were asked about their learning behavior. The result: with an average of 34 hours spent studying with study notes, own notes and old/test exams, 7 points in an exam is anything but satisfactory. But where are the problems in detail and what are their consequences? The following overview answers this question:
Problem 1:
Problem
Consequence
Study notes from the internet or WhatsApp are not tailored to your own needs and learning gaps.
Consequence:
Time is wasted because content is "learned" that is either already known or does not even appear in the exam.
Problem 2:
Old/test exams are not available at all or only to a limited extent and are not properly integrated into the learning plan.
Consequence:
No realistic assessment of their own learning level with "surprisingly" poor grades as a result.
Problem 3:
Many, confusing materials that have not been optimized for learning.
Consequence:
Students start studying way too late (#1 reason for bulimic studying, one week before the exam).
It is therefore clear that students in Germany not only waste their time studying, but also perform massively below their grade potential. They accept less free time in order to study seemingly efficiently (more for a clear conscience) - only to be disappointed in the end.
But that doesn't have to be the case. These findings provide valuable insights into how efficient learning at university or college can work faster and more efficiently. Based on this, a scientifically sound learning method has been developed that has massive benefits for students:
But that doesn't have to be the case. These findings provide valuable insights into how efficient learning at university or college can work faster and more efficiently. Based on this, a scientifically sound learning method has been developed that has massive benefits for students:
Learning time is invested highly efficiently and "only the bare minimum is learned" in order to achieve double-digit grades with minimal learning effort.
The current learning status is realistically assessed and students can transparently control which target grade they want to work towards.
"Start studying" and preparing for an exam becomes child's play thanks to a motivating learning method that keeps students engaged and produces better grades.
In this way, students can achieve double-digit marks in the exam with just 5 hours of study. In the following section, you will discover exactly how this works.
Discover learning method
5. solution
Score 12 points in the exam with 5 hours of study
The following learning method is a direct result of the previous study. Based on the results of the 346 students, it was reconstructed how highly efficient learning really works in 4 steps.
1. specify target grade and assess learning status
To ensure that students do not "study in front of them" without orientation, but instead work towards their target grade with a clear focus, it is first essential to define it. In short: "What grade do you actually want to achieve?"
The current learning status must then be assessed. The following questions need to be answered: "How well do you already know the subject? Where are your learning gaps? What should you definitely look at again?"
This information is then used to draw up a learning plan. A red thread that leads students straight from their current learning status to their target grade.
Tip for students: Tools such as Studyquick test your knowledge (free of charge). Click on the button now:
The current learning status must then be assessed. The following questions need to be answered: "How well do you already know the subject? Where are your learning gaps? What should you definitely look at again?"
This information is then used to draw up a learning plan. A red thread that leads students straight from their current learning status to their target grade.
Tip for students: Tools such as Studyquick test your knowledge (free of charge). Click on the button now:
2. prepare learning materials in a targeted manner
With the target grade and a common thread, appropriate learning materials can then be prepared. Classic learning sheets are recommended here.
However, these must explain the right information in the right order. This is the only way to avoid confusion and ensure that essential content is quickly internalized.
It is important here that not too much time is "wasted" on preparing the learning sheets, because: We are still in the preparation phase here, not the learning phase! This follows in the next section.
However, these must explain the right information in the right order. This is the only way to avoid confusion and ensure that essential content is quickly internalized.
It is important here that not too much time is "wasted" on preparing the learning sheets, because: We are still in the preparation phase here, not the learning phase! This follows in the next section.
3. internalize content with the "Studyquick learning method"
Vera F. Birkenbihl, German management trainer and non-fiction author, developed highly efficient methods for better memorizing content as part of her psychology studies and on the basis of brain research.
The "Studyquick learning method" was developed on this basis: The brain learns faster when unknown content is connected to the previously known "knowledge network". This means that unfamiliar content and learning gaps should be linked to familiar topics in the course of study.
In practice, students should therefore provide their individual study notes with key terms that they already know. This ensures that content is better retained and topics based on it are understood more quickly.
The "Studyquick learning method" was developed on this basis: The brain learns faster when unknown content is connected to the previously known "knowledge network". This means that unfamiliar content and learning gaps should be linked to familiar topics in the course of study.
In practice, students should therefore provide their individual study notes with key terms that they already know. This ensures that content is better retained and topics based on it are understood more quickly.
4. test knowledge and close learning gaps
Finally, it is important to regularly test the knowledge you have gained and close any further learning gaps. The easiest way to do this is with the help of AI-generated tests or mock exams that regularly test your knowledge and give you feedback. In this way, you can uncover new learning gaps and improve yourself more specifically for your desired grade.
Studyquick is an AI-based learning software based on the 4-step learning method. The free software has already helped over 3000 students to improve their grades and have more free time in their studies. Click here now to register for free:
Studyquick is an AI-based learning software based on the 4-step learning method. The free software has already helped over 3000 students to improve their grades and have more free time in their studies. Click here now to register for free:
Study in the fast lane in under 2 minutes
Click on the button now, register in less than 2 minutes and study highly efficiently and AI-supported today to write your desired grades in a relaxed manner:
Real results from students
Study in the fast lane in under 2 minutes
Click on the button now, register in less than 2 minutes and study highly efficiently and AI-supported today to write your desired grades in a relaxed manner:
Regularly asked questions
How does it work with copyright?
Many documents from the university are protected by copyright, which means that you are not allowed to publish or sell them. With Studyquick, on the other hand, you are only using a "tool" for private use. Since we do not use this data to train our AI, all copyrights are respected and you can use Stuyquick without hesitation.
What's the difference to ChatGPT?
With ChatGPT you can't upload entire university scripts or lectures by default. So you only get standardized answers, as if you were using Google. Studyquick is "trained" exactly on your script, can answer much more specific questions and, unlike Google or ChatGPT, can also generate a ready-made study sheet or a mock exam.
Does this also work with formulas?
Basically yes, formulas are recognized and output by the AI. Please note, however, that your content should not be too formula- and graph-heavy, as the AI is designed for long texts.
Is Studyquick suitable for my degree program?
Studyquick is designed for degree programs with long and text-heavy scripts, such as medicine, business administration, economics and law. Click here now to find your degree program.
Is this also possible in English?
Yes, regardless of whether your material is in German or English, you can have it summarized by our AI. You can also set yourself whether your study sheet should be in German or English at the end. For example, you can turn your English script into a German study sheet.