QUEST Study Skills Framework - Level 1

Understanding how studying actually works

Duration: 2-3 hours

Format: Online, self-directed, video lessons, reflection prompts, Q & A

Access: Lifetime

The Solution:

What this course does

QUEST Study Skills Framework - Level 1 helps us understand the principles of effective studying before we waste time on tactics that don't work. We'll learn the what and the why of the five-step QUEST system.

This is a conceptual course. We're building awareness and understanding here—not learning specific tactics like "how to make flashcards" or "how to build a study schedule." That practical application comes in Level 2.

Think of Level 1 as learning why a car engine works before we learn to fix one. Once we understand the system, the techniques make sense. Without that understanding, tactics are just random tips that may or may not help.

The QUEST framework is:

• Reusable - works across all subjects, all year levels
• Simple - five steps you can remember and apply
• Flexible - adapts to how you learn best
• Proven - based on learning science and 10+ years of student results

The five QUEST steps

What you'll learn in this course

In Level 1, we'll explore each step of the QUEST framework and understand why it matters.

Q - Question what needs to be learned

Most students start studying without getting clear on what they're actually meant to be learning. This leads to studying everything (overwhelm) or guessing what's important (gaps).

In this module, you'll learn:

• Why questioning comes before studying
• What questions effective students ask early
• How to turn tasks and topics into clear study questions

You'll understand: Why clarity at the start saves hours of wasted effort later.

U - Unite and Understand information

Memorising facts without understanding them is like building a house on sand. It holds up for a little while, then collapses under pressure.

In this module, you'll learn:

• The difference between memorising and understanding
• What a "core foundation" is and why it matters
• Why scattered notes don't equal understanding

You'll understand: Why understanding comes before memorising, and how to tell the difference.

E - Establish your study strategy

Copying your friend's study method rarely works because different students learn differently. Strategy isn't about finding the "best" method. It's about finding what fits you, your subject, and your task.

In this module, you'll learn:

• Why copying others' methods often fails
• What learning preferences are (without boxing you in)
• What it means to choose a starting strategy

You'll understand: How to make deliberate strategy choices instead of random guesses.

S - Study it

This is where most students spend the most time but see the least results. Why? Because passive study (re-reading, highlighting, copying) feels productive but doesn't create recall.

In this module, you'll learn:

• The difference between passive and active study
• Why active study feels harder but works better
• How your strategy guides how you study

You'll understand: What effective studying actually looks like, and why effort alone isn't enough.

T - Test and Evaluate

Testing isn't just for measuring what we know. It's one of the most powerful learning tools we have. But most students never test themselves while studying. They wait for the actual exam to find out what they don't know.

In this module, you'll learn:

• Why testing yourself improves learning
• What testing actually means (not just formal exams)
• How to evaluate your approach and keep improving

You'll understand: How testing closes the QUEST loop and makes it a repeatable system.

What you'll walk away with 

After completing Level 1, you'll have:

Clear understanding of why some study methods fail

No more wondering why hours of studying don't translate to better results. You'll understand what makes the difference.

A reusable framework you can apply to any subject

QUEST works for Maths, English, Science, History, Languages...everything. One system, all subjects.

Confidence in your study decisions

No more copying friends or trying random YouTube tips. You'll know how to make informed choices about how you study.

Readiness to apply specific strategies (in Level 2)

Level 1 builds the foundation. Level 2 teaches you how to actually do it .... create notes, study actively, prepare for exams.

A new way of thinking about learning

This isn't just about getting through this term or this year. These are principles you'll use for the rest of your learning life.

FAQs