It can be difficult to settle into the routine of higher education for the first time or even if you are returning to school, especially when you choose an accelerated curriculum or balance classes with a full-time job. Luckily, old habits and new distractions don't have to stand in the way of your college degree. Incorporate these top ten effective study habits for college students into your daily routine, and watch yourself blossom into a capable, disciplined college student. They are easy to follow and implement and require only a commitment on your part to follow through.
1. Take & review thorough notes while in class
Whether you're sitting through a lecture or doing an assigned reading, always take notes. You'll absorb key terms and ideas more quickly by writing them down immediately. Don't be afraid to ask classmates for a refresher if you miss a lecture.
Attend all your classes. Another temptation that new college students face is regularly skipping class. Unlike high school, you don’t have parents or truancy laws making sure your butt’s in a classroom desk every day at college. It’s completely up to you whether you go to class or not. My advice is to make it a goal to go to every class during the semester.
Learning
requires constant reinforcement. Class time is part of that reinforcement
process. More importantly, attending class simply saves you time.
Sit near the front. Yeah, it’s cliché, but it really works. You’re more likely to stay focused and pay attention to the professor when you’re sitting near the front.
Take notes. Learning is an active process and note-taking is one of the steps in that process. Moreover, taking notes forces you to pay attention in class. Even in the most boring of classes, taking notes will keep you awake and alert.
How should you take notes? For advice on tactics for note taking see this page
2. Eliminate lifestyle distractions
Technology offers unprecedented ways to access new information. However, it also creates distractions that prevent you from concentrating on your research. Stick to academic websites, silence your phone, and turn off your wireless connection as soon as you have enough information to write.
3. Schedule your study time
Instead of squeezing study sessions in between classes, naps, and other responsibilities, treat studying like any other class or commitment. Pick a specific location that's quiet, peaceful, and will give you plenty of room to work. Then set a specific appointment with yourself each week, and stick to it.
No matter how much you might wish differently, there are only so many hours in a day you can devote to studying. So it’s important that you prioritize your time before you start studying each and every study session. Start with the more difficult tasks and material you have in front of you for the study session. Most people are more open to difficult material in the beginning of the study session. As the session wears on and you start to get tired, that is the time you will want to spend on material that you have a good understanding of already or have basic tasks to complete on a project or assignment.
4. Organize your class materials
Instead of keeping one bulky binder or a backpack of loose paper, organize your notes and handouts into separate folders. This makes it easier to find what you need for each exam, keep your homework together, and prevent overwhelming clutter. Color-coding can also help you keep different topics separate.
5. Take every extra opportunity to study
If a professor or TA offers an after-class study session or extra credit opportunity, try to fit it into your schedule. This doesn't just give you a stronger safety net in case you make a mistake in the future; it also shows your initiative as a student.
6. Don’t CRAM for exams
Every now and then you may have a late night finishing a paper or working on a project that needs to be completed, but applying the above techniques on a consistent and steady routine will more than prepare you for quizzes, mid-terms and finals. You should only need to review your notes for the course a few times before an exam. In other words, if you apply these steps, you should not need to cram!
7. Take care of yourself first - Get plenty of rest!
Your brain needs to recharge regularly in order to process and absorb new information. Sometimes all-nighters are inevitable, but don't let it become a habit, because sleep-deprivation can prevent you from learning or thinking critically. Give yourself permission to make up for lost sleep, too.
7. Study with a group or partner
Study groups usually meet before big tests, but many ECPI University students have realized how helpful it is to help one another throughout the school year. You can exchange notes, quiz each other, and most importantly, hold each other responsible for showing up to each session.
8. Exercise to release stress
Instead of succumbing to anxiety or pressure until studying seems impossible, find a productive outlet to express your frustration. Physical activity releases endorphins that reduce stress and depression, and it's completely free.
9. Take care of yourself first - Eat well
Nutrition plays a huge role in your ability to learn. Instead of depending on sugar and caffeine -- and weathering the crashes that follow -- drink plenty of water and make sure you get enough fruits and vegetables. A well-rested, well-nourished, hydrated body is capable of staying awake and alert without help from chemicals.
10. Don't be afraid to ask for help
Don't be afraid to reach out to tutors, professors, and classmates if you think you're falling behind. Whether you have trouble understanding a new concept or just need help managing your time, college is full of people who know exactly what you're going through.
11. Get the most out of your assigned reading list
Nothing makes a class more enjoyable then walking in with a good understanding of the material before the instructor even opens their mouth to speak. Reading the material ahead of time also gives you the opportunity to make some notes before class and make sure any questions you have get addressed in class. Bring your reading notes to class and augment any areas the instructor highlights or spends lots of time on that you missed in your notes.
12. How to read like a student
Most students will approach a reading assignment in the same old fashioned method…open the book to chapter 1, begin reading. By the time they get to the end of the chapter though, their retention and comprehension is low. In order to answer the review questions, they must go back and re-read the chapter scanning for answers. Although this can be marginally successful at times, try this method instead; Turn to the end of the chapter and read the chapter summary first and then read all of the review questions. Then go back and read the entire chapter. I’ll bet your understanding of the material and the retention of the material is way better this time!
Teachers Pet Tip – Don’t forget to read and notate
any image captions in your text books. A lot of instructors use these for
exam questions (or bonus questions) and it often gives you much greater insight
into the material and what the author was trying to explain.