About QUEST Study Skills
Why QUEST Study Skills?
Life as a student isn't easy
Being a student is demanding. Because of resources available to us, there is more pressure to deliver work faster, and at a higher quality level. There is also so much more competition now than ever before. We need to know how to study efficiently. Some of us may unintentionally be wasting time studying in a way that doesn’t help information stick. We therefore need to know how our brain learns, how to gather the skills to manage time, and be motivated to keep going.
For us to handle life as a student, it’s important to have tools and habits to support daily life, so we can succeed academically and enjoy the process too 🩵
How does QUEST Study Skills help me?
Study SMARTLY, with a plan and a strategy, and learn what is needed stress free, naturally and in less time.
It's not HOW MANY hours we study, but HOW we study that will make the difference in our academic performance. Studying is a unique and personal experience. There's no single method that works for everyone. We need to know which method and strategy works best for our brain, the subject and our goal. As a student we thrive when we have structure and strategies that make sense personally, not just more worksheets or vague advice.
What is QUEST Study Skills?
QUEST Study Skills is a simple framework for how to study and succeed in our studies.
There's plenty of information out there about how to succeed in school. We're literally inundated with information. Just ask AI. But we don't need more information. We need a way to organise and make sense of it, especially in a world of online classes, social distractions, academic pressure and too much tech.
When there is information overload and overwhelm, a system is needed for us to handle all of it. QUEST is a simple, practical study method to follow throughout the term leading up to tests and exams.
QUEST gives students a simple, repeatable method that we can rely on to:
- Stay calm and in control of our workload
- Build habits that actually last
- Learn what works for us personally (not just what works for others)
The QUEST Method
QUEST is a no-fuss, practical framework for how to study throughout the term, enhancing understanding, memory and recall leading up to tests and exams:
"Q-U-E-S-T" an acronym for how to study.
- QUESTION what needs to be learned. i.e. Take control of what you need to learn.
- UNDERSTAND information easily with a proper system.
- ESTABLISH your study strategy from the start and follow it.
- STUDY actively using your strategy.
- TEST & EVALUATE how you went to improve for next time.
This framework helps you create a flow that you can use week by week, and term by term. It’s flexible, intuitive, and easy to start applying straight away on all your subjects.
Today, QUEST Study Skills offers this system in a few ways: the Level 1, Level 2, and 60 Days of Better Study Planning courses teach the method step-by-step, the Resources share short study tips you can use straight away, and free planning templates help you put it into practice.
Success Stories from students :)
I learned new techniques that I may apply within my school work and assignments
"I found the course to be enjoyable overall and have learned new techniques that I may apply within my school work and assignments. I believe the study skills methods were impressive because they were taught step by step which allowed us to access a deeper understanding. The most helpful part was probably the part where we learnt about how we should tackle certain problems and the tips we could use."
Angela, Year 10
I finally know how to manage myself properly
"It's great! I've learned a lot and now I finally know how to manage myself properly... Quest Study Skills did help me a lot, especially in the part where we should manage our time well so that things can be completed orderly; and also test taking strategies and how I should be preparing by the beginning of term."
Andy, Year 11
I have gained a lot of knowledge from these lessons
"I find this course very useful. Personally, I think it will improve my study skills and also my time management. Denise has made this class / course enjoyable and fun than I expected. I have gained a lot of knowledge from these lessons."
Nicole, Year 10
My grades have changed from C-D to A-B
"I usually get bad grades but after doing the study skills I have noticed that my grades have changed from C - D to A - B. I manage my time and I don't need to stress over not finishing my assignments on time. I understand things so much more. :) Thanks."
Jasmine, Year 10
Who created QUEST Study Skills?
QUEST Study Skills was created by Denise Qvist, an educator, study coach and learning experience designer who has been supporting students since 2011.
Studying did not always come easily to Denise. She understands how overwhelming it can feel to work hard without knowing whether you are studying effectively. Her first study skills class began with sixteen students and grew into the practical, personalised system behind QUEST Study Skills today.
Denise began teaching after completing her TESOL qualification through Trinity College London. She taught English and IELTS exam preparation, developed curriculum and tutored secondary students in essay writing. She later moved into online education and learning experience design, combining clear explanations, visual learning and hand-drawn illustrations to make complex ideas easier for students to understand and apply.
As a portfolio Product Manager at Keypath Education, Denise partnered directly with Australian universities, including RMIT, UNSW, UTS, JCU and SCU, to shape new and existing postgraduate programs. Her work brought together student needs, academic learning outcomes and emerging workforce skills.
Denise has completed further professional study in educational neuroscience through an ExpertTrack developed by CQUniversity. The course strengthened her understanding of memory, attention, learning and retrieval, and has directly influenced the content, illustrations and learning activities within QUEST Study Skills. She is now exploring postgraduate study in educational neuroscience to deepen this work further.
This combination of teaching, curriculum development, university program design and educational neuroscience shapes every part of QUEST Study Skills. Denise’s goal is to translate the science of learning into clear, practical strategies that students can understand and use for themselves.