10 Tips for Students Who Want to Study History

By Ozan Dur

I graduated from the Department of History at Istanbul 29 Mayıs University in 2017, and I’m still actively reading and studying history. As someone who has walked this path, I want to share a few pieces of advice for those who are studying—or planning to study—history.

1. Choosing the History Major

History has become increasingly attractive due to popular TV series and media. Popular history can certainly spark interest, but academic history is a very different field. Academic writing requires rationality, discipline, and a critical mindset—there’s no room for emotional storytelling.

A student who gets excited by popular history may find academic material boring at first. Before choosing the major, try reading academic history essays or books. If they still interest you, then you're on the right track.

2. Preparatory Year

If possible, choose a university that offers courses in English or has a strong English preparatory program. If your English isn’t strong, don’t worry—your first year will be your biggest opportunity. Keep your grades high from the very beginning. Aim to become the top student of your department; it will open many doors later.

After you learn English, spending time in a European country—like the UK, Germany, or even the US—will help you improve your language and accent. You can also consider Erasmus.

3. Choosing Your Field

Your specialization will depend on your interests. To discover what these interests are, start by reading world history. Books like Clive Ponting’s A Green History of the World or William McNeill’s A World History can help.

Over time, your courses and the languages you study will naturally guide you into a specific field. Listen carefully in class, be curious, and choose a field where you can imagine working for years.

4. Choosing the Right Professor

Find a professor you feel connected to and meet with them at least once every two months. Ask for advice, ask for reading suggestions, and let them mentor you.

If you build a good relationship and your professor supports you, they will guide you toward the right books, conferences, languages, and academic circles. Their network will become your network.

5. Study Habits

Spend as much time as possible in the library. Try not to skip any classes. Take detailed notes and aim for high grades in each course.

Stay close to the books, stay visible, and make sure your professors know your dedication.

6. Foreign Languages

After English, learn a language from the East. Many scholars recommend knowing at least one Western and one Eastern language. Among Eastern languages, Arabic is extremely valuable.

But don’t make the common mistake of learning Arabic through grammar-heavy methods. Grammar comes later—start immediately with reading and listening. Once you reach a solid level, aim for a YDS score above 70; it will help you immensely.

7. The Undergraduate Process

Unexpected difficulties will appear: family losses, financial issues, health problems—life happens. But regardless of what comes your way, you must finish your degree and work hard.

Even Nobel laureates say the key to success is simply “working a lot.”

During your studies, write articles and publish them on academic or cultural websites. Writing will make you visible, improve your skills, and slowly shape your field of interest.

Follow the strongest universities in Türkiye, see what their students are doing, compare yourself with them, and aim to stay ahead.

8. Studying Abroad

Studying abroad gives you language, culture, networking, and confidence.

If possible, spend your summers abroad. If you learned English, go to the UK. If you learned Arabic, go to Jordan.

It may be financially difficult, but there are always ways: private tutoring, part-time work, scholarships, or sponsors. If you search, you will find something.

9. Graduation Thesis

Choose a thesis topic where you can use your languages. If you haven’t chosen a field yet, learning another language can guide you. Languages shape your academic direction.

Use your languages effectively, avoid plagiarism, and try to write everything in your own style.

A well-written undergraduate thesis can even be published as a book. Many professors don’t expect much from undergraduate theses, but that shouldn’t stop you—you can still produce something impressive.

10. The Secret Ingredient

The real secret is consistency, hard work, and patience.

Our Prophet (pbuh) encouraged us not to be lazy, and success truly comes from Allah. Make routine your best friend. Pray for consistency, because when routines break—due to illness or unexpected events—everything becomes harder.

The path of knowledge is full of blessings. With a good intention, everything becomes easier. Miracles are not impossible.

Work every day without skipping opportunities. Learn study techniques, memorization strategies, academic discipline, language-learning methods, and historical methodology. If you give importance to these, you’ll go far.

Ozan Dur

Tranlated From Turkish by ia