Attending college is a life-changing and exciting experience. It is the best to learn about your interest both professionally and personally, meet new people, and might be the first time to live on your own. It can be overwhelming to adjust to college life and finding out good study habits. This article offers study guides that can help you succeed in your college studies and life.
Finding effective and efficient study habits
All students are unique; hence, there is no set prescription or universal formula to effective study. For example, one student might study well in his or her dorm room while another might need to use the library facilities. The secret is to study different studying techniques and environments to find out what is best for you.
1. Organization is important
Start your college studies with a college planner. This planner can be a small erase calendar you put on your desk, wall calendar, plain book, or event planner with innovative designs. Desk or wall calendar is the best for double-checking due dates, events, and appointments, whereas notebook planner is the best for on the go planning, wherever you are. A notebook planner will help you when you are in a meeting or class. If you prefer digital planners so that you can synchronize with the tablet, phone, or even computer, then consider setting up a plan on a mobile device. On your phone, set up reminders for assignment due dates, study times, department events, and test dates.
2. Plan ahead
Develop a study schedule at the start of the semester or term based on the syllabus. Plan to study daily each coming week. Even if it is for a few minutes since this can make a difference in your life, it will also help you not stress yourself and cram before semester examinations.
3. Take good notes
College learning begins in the classroom. While in class, keep focus and write down good notes so that when you will be reading later, it will be a review of what you learned before and not learning for the first time. Consult your lecturers on the possibility of recording lectures using your phone. Recorded lectures are a good compliment for taking notes.
4. Develop a routine
To teach good study habits, develop a study routine for yourself that you follow daily. Find out the time of the day that best works for you, and make an effort to review videos, notes, and other study materials. Based on your weekly class schedules, you can decide to study in the evening, afternoon, or even morning based on what works for you.
Teamwork is important
5. Plan to study with your friends
Planning to study with friends will make your academic path productive and fun. Request your classmates for a joint study session at a specific location and time. For example, you can decide to study for just one hour after one of your lectures in empty lecture halls or the school café. It is also true with friends.
6. Request for help
For concepts and ideas you do not quite understand, kindly seek help. Seek help from your professors when they are in the office, or you can contact them by email. Your classmates are also useful on things you do not understand, and for them, it is easy for you to seek indulgence from them. Or in the last case scenario, you can contact mydissertations.com for help.
7. Teach someone
Teaching someone helps you to gauge your level of understanding of the subject matter. You can decide to teach classmates, friends, or even family members. Teaching someone else helps you grasp better the information you already know, and you can identify the information you need to revisit. Try to create fun and creative Google slides or PowerPoint presentations and present them so that it is easy for your audience and you to understand.
Create an Ambiance
8. Regularly change your study location
Studying in a similar location can be both tedious and boring; consider changing the study location to get a new perspective. Colleges have different study locations for students, such as local cafes, campus lawns, dorms, and libraries. Make maximum use of these study locations while still in college.
9. Avoid distractions
You must study in an environment that is devoid of distractions. If you study alone, get yourself a quiet study location, switch off electronic gadgets, or block any noise from the surrounding for maximum concentration. If you are in an area with others studying and it does not work, then consider relocating.
How to approach study
10. Do not cram
While it is tempting to study the whole semester’s work in one night, it is not an effective study method since it can lead to stress or become fatigued during the exam session. It is good to study for between 20 to 30 minutes every day since it enhances retention.
11. Understand vs. memorize
Approaching new information while in college is critical; you can either understand or memorize. Memorizing does not help learn new information but rather helps you to repeat or reproduce.
12. Reorganize and review your notes
Depending on whether you are using flashcards, laptops, or notebooks, doing a review of each line of the notes reminds you of things you might have missed or ensured you hit the right information. It is a good habit to review information immediately after class and after a few days.
13. Study smart and not hard
Listen to college professors since they might say or will not say what will be in the examinations. They share such information so that you save time and focus on studying relevant essential points. If you are not sure what to focus on, then ask your professor.
Be cool
14. Make good use of the reward system.
Studying is a draining endeavor; therefore, consider treating yourself so that you get motivated. The Reward system can include buying you snacks from the campus store or a mug of coffee from the coffee shop.