1) Figure out who you can study with.
Do you work best in groups? If so - try to connect with a study group in your major. I know my major is pretty close knit, and we have a facebook group just for our class. If possible, post in one of these, or at a local bulletin board. Chances are, someone else is looking for a study buddy too. Do you work best alone? If so - I suggest finding your favorite study spot on campus.. asap. I'm one of those people that has to be alone, and it took me a really long time to figure that out. Once I did, probably 1/4 of my study time was put into wandering around campus to find the perfect place for me that wasn't too noisy but wasn't too quiet. I even have a desk at home and I can't study there because I have three roommates, and the temptation to chat was just too great, even if I was isolated in my room. My best advice: get out, and get somewhere you can seclude yourself from the world and really focus on the task at hand. |
Suggestions of Where to Study:
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2) Eliminate Distraction
Getting work done is all about focus. It's about maximizing your potential in the time frame you have because if you're like me - you probably don't have much time to do whatever you're trying to do. Try to put yourself in an environment that won't interfere with your studies (i.e. a busy place where all you do is people-watch). Or if it's a private, completely silent room and you are driving yourself crazy - go somewhere you can hear other things besides your own stressed out thoughts. I find that if the only thing I have to focus on is my work - that's what i'll do. |
What NOT to have with you when you are studying:
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3) Set limits and take breaks
There is only so much time you can spend on one thing. After that, your brain really isn't absorbing the information and you are just wasting your time. This is why "cramming overnight" may seem like a good idea - but it really isn't. The more you look at something, walk away for a little bit, and come back to it - the easier it will be to recall that information later. Trust me. How do you know when you've spent too much time studying? It varies person to person. I know some people that can sit down and work for 10 hours and get so much done and they are just not distracted at all. For me it's about 3 hours and then when I usually find myself re-reading the same sentence 13 times... I realize it's time to call it quits for the moment. That doesn't mean you have to stop for the day, but it's healthy to give your brain a break and go do something easy and fun that will take your mind off the material for awhile before you go back to it. |
Examples of things to do for a study break:
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4) Do a little something EVERY DAY
This may sound scary, but it doesn't have to be much. I found that if I at least read over some notes or transcribed some things every day, going back to study before an exam or final was just a little bit easier. If you think about it - it makes sense. You may think in class - oh I'll remember this - as the teacher says it. However, how many other classes do you have? How many other times have you said that? What other things do you have on your mental to do list? It's easy to get bogged down, and it's easy to think you can remember everything. I used to think like that, and maybe you have a photographic memory and can remember everything you see the first time you see it. Most people don't. You may spend just an hour or even just 30 minutes for a class each day, but when it comes to that final cumulative exam at the end of the semester and you are wondering when the heck you ever learned about neuroblastomas - it will be easier to recall if you've looked at it more than just on a powerpoint slide in class. |
How can I do something every day?
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5) Figure out what your learning style is
Do you like graphs and charts and pictures? Do you like textbook readings with explanations? Do you like flowcharts? Whatever works best for you - try to incorporate that in your study routine. Whatever will help you recall the information better on a test - do that. Do you like writing things out? Or do you prefer typing. Do you like reading things over and over in a book? Or do you want someone to read them to you? Do you like talking things out with people? Sometimes I find that if I mix several of these things I get a better outcome. There is no right or wrong way to learn this information. |
Ways to incorporate your learning style into studying:
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6) Utilize your resources
Your class is most likely going to have a TA: use them. Or meet with your professor outside of class. Or hire your own tutor. Either way, if you are struggling or know you are going to need extra help: don't wait until it's too late. Most of the time many college grades are determined by 3 exams and a final, and that's pretty much it. After the first exam really gauge how you are doing, and then go from there. Sometimes we all need some extra help, and you can go directly to your professor or someone else to help you with your studying. Also, go to your professor's office hours. Even if you don't have a question but just want to chat about the course, getting them to know your name is going to make them more willing to help you in the future. I've had a professor change a grade because she knew how hard I tried with everything and she knew me well. |
Examples of resources:
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