Good study habits for college students11/21/2023 Whatever career you’re looking forward to, keep in mind that everything you do in school- including those endless study sessions-are designed to get you there. In keeping with the marathon analogy, as you’re in the throes of studying, remember the tests, the papers, the assignments are all important, but it’s all in service to a much bigger picture-the life you want to have. Each semester, you have an opportunity to learn something new and studying-hour by hour, day by day-gets you to your bigger goal. Getting the most out of class-and college altogether-means taking the time to immerse yourself in your subjects. You can’t crack the book the night before the final exam and expect to succeed.Īs the saying goes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Then, after each class, review your notes, figure out if you have any follow-up questions and incorporate all of this into your study sessions. It hopefully goes without saying, but go to class, take notes, listen to the professor. A daily list of what you need to get done for all your classes is also helpful to get the most out of every day academically. action items like “pick a topic,” “do initial research,” “write outline,” etc.). For instance, know you have a paper due at the end of the semester? Don’t just write down, “Write paper.” Instead, make a list of how you’ll get it done little by little (i.e. These can help you conquer your assignments in manageable chunks. This way you can make a plan for when you’ll study for each-and not end up trying to prep or finish something the night before it’s due.Īlong the same lines, lists are your friend. At the beginning of the semester, map out key dates for tests, quizzes, papers and other deadline-driven assignments. With trying to avoid all-nighters in mind, thinking ahead is key when planning out your study strategy. The above-mentioned burnout comes quickly when you cram for a test or write a paper in one night-and you’re likely to end up not performing at your peak when you’re fighting sleep and are hyped up on caffeine. The iconic all-nighter study session is something most students have done at one point or another in their college career, but it’s not an ideal way to study. Getting your eyes away from a screen is important to keep yourself fresh, so don’t just scroll through social media during a break. Then, when it goes off, get up, stretch, take a walk outside for some fresh air or even hit the cafeteria for a snack. Set a timer for an appropriate length of time (30 minutes to an hour is usually a solid block to get some real studying in). But burnout can also come quickly if you plant yourself at your desk and don’t sleep, eat or stretch. Yes, studying is important and you should expect to spend hours each week devoted to it. And it never hurts to have easy-to-eat snacks within arm’s reach! For those hours-long study blocks, make sure you have a comfortable chair and appropriate height desk. Remember in elementary school when you’d get brand-new school supplies at the beginning of the year and how exciting that was? That still holds true in college! New notebooks (or, if you can swing it, the latest laptop), pretty folders to organize your papers and pens that have just the right feel for taking notes can all set the scene and motivate you to study just a bit longer. That means turning off social media while you hit the books. (Does your roommate practice her violin in the room at the same time every day, for example? That might be a good time for you to head to the library.) And, of course, limit self-imposed distractions too. Those aforementioned noise-canceling headphones are great, but also make sure you pick a time that is generally quiet. If you’re on campus, make sure the space (and time) you’ve selected to study will be distraction free. If you’re doing virtual learning this semester, that means making sure family members know it’s study time and don’t come knocking on your door (a friendly sign on the door is fine). Once you’ve found that quiet space, make sure it’s free of distractions. This will help train your brain to know it’s time to get down to business. Once you’ve found that place, use it every time you study. Whether that’s finding a quiet corner of the library, putting on noise-canceling headphones if you’re sharing your dorm room or camping out at your bedroom at home (at a desk, not your bed!), make sure you find a space where you can read, write and concentrate with minimal distractions. 10 Tips for a Productive Study Sessionįirst things first: In order to have a successful study session, you’ll want to first make sure you eliminate distractions. These tips will get you off on the right foot during this unusual school year. Whether in the dorm, the library or your bedroom at your childhood home, practicing good study habits is an important key to having success in your college career.
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