By Maria Ignas (BA 25)
You know that you can’t succeed in college without studying consistently. But with so little time to do it and so many methods to choose from, you may find studying to be daunting and complicated.
If you’re wondering how to study effectively in college, here are some college study tips to help you get started.
1. Schedule your time.
As a student, you’re probably all too familiar with the stress of completing a large assignment an hour before it’s due. While you might have been able to get away with all-nighters and writing last-minute papers in high school, college academic standards will make that unsustainable.
One of the most important college study tips is this: eliminate procrastination and last-minute studying. Following a consistent study schedule will keep you on track.
Consider keeping an electronic or paper planner. Using your courses’ syllabi, record all due dates of assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams. By keeping track of deadlines, you’ll never be caught off guard by a paper again!
Incorporate other events and obligations, like classes, work shifts, and extracurriculars, into your calendar. Once you’ve marked off all your busy time, look at the unfilled slots. What times of day are you mostly free? Do you see small pockets of time you can dedicate to schoolwork?
From there, create a study schedule. Decide how much time you’ll spend studying for each course. After testing it out, feel free to switch times and dates around as needed. But keep your schedule reasonable. The best study schedule is the one you’ll stick to.
2. Understand how you learn best.
The most effective college study tips are tailored to the way you learn.Â
If you learn information best visually, incorporate charts, flashcards, and images into your routine. If you comprehend information by hearing, read the material out loud to yourself or record yourself reviewing notes. Maybe you’re a tactile learner. In that case, write out notes instead of just reading the textbook. Highlight, underline, and study in a way that gets your hands moving.
Take your study environment into account as well. Do you require complete silence while you work, or do you need the noise of a crowd? Do you study well with music or ambient noise? Consider whether you prefer to study in a scenic place, or if you’re easily distracted by a view.
Find a study spot that accommodates these learning needs. Students tend to flock to tried-and-true spots like campus libraries and coffee shops, but keep your eyes peeled for lesser-known gems as well. When you find a few locations, consider mixing your study spot up to keep your studying fresh and interesting.Â
3. Take care of your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
We’ve all traded in a few hours of sleep for some more study time. You may sacrifice gym time, recreational time, or social time to get ahead of your schoolwork. Though you may accomplish more in the moment, you’re not doing yourself a favor by skipping out on what you need.
Neglecting your mind and body will keep you tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. Get enough sleep, keep physical movement in your schedule, and don’t do away with social interaction and relaxation time. By keeping up healthy habits, you’ll make much more academic progress in the long run.
