How to Develop Good Study Habits for College

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BALASUBRAMANYA B N

CCI STUDENT....

44687 Points Joined January 2009

Steps

Review the lesson plan prior to class. Skim through the textbooks.
Take quick notes in class. (see tip)
If you read the material before class you will have an idea of what doesn't make sense, and concentrate of your professor's explanation. Why are you buying the textbook for it to collect dust? They have textbooks and lab manuels for a purpose.
Don't make notes on what's already in the book, it wastes your time and attention. Highlight the parts emphasized, and listen to the way your professor relates it to what you've already learned.
If it's repeated more than twice it's going to be on the test.
Study for at least a total of an hour everyday before the next class. For each lecture hour you should expect at least 1-3 hours needed for study- more if it's a challenging class.
Don't let social activities take priority before studying.
Plan your breaks in the short and long term. If you must make the Saturday night party, know you'll have to spend the afternoon at the library. If you're spending the day hitting the books, plan an hour off at suppertime, and a treat for dessert.
Study groups help some remember material, and clarify difficult points and is a great way to have a social life in college at the same time as studying.
If your friends are in different courses plan on getting together for stress busting periods, especially during exam week. Midnight power walks make great memories.

Replies (2)

BALASUBRAMANYA B N

CCI STUDENT....

44687 Points Joined January 2009

Tips

The problem about studying isn't the actual studying itself, rather it's the getting started part. Most people find that once they have gotten started, it's much easier to continue.
If you know yourself well enough that you know that you probably won't study for an exam until the few hours before it, then you could try fixing this by tricking yourself. Write it in your calendar and convince yourself the exam is on a certain day, when it's really a week later. If you get into that mode, it's much easier to start studying and continue studying.
A very wise professor once said, "How and when to study? Study like there is always going to be an exam the next day. That way when there is, you've been studying for it for weeks."
If highlighters and Post-It notes help you organize and stay focused don't hesitate to put them in the budget. It's a small investment, and you'll be committed to USING your investment,
To take quick notes abbreviate everything, for example: (message = msg, take = tk, learn = lrn); just make up your own abbreviations, you'll come up with what works best for you in no time.
You remember things better in short amounts of time - do not study for 4 hours; you will only forget half the things you read. Study for an hour, then take a 5 - 10 minute break to walk around, and study for another hour. Be committed to making the break work for you too- don't get distracted for an hour, make sure you get back within the time you've set for yourself.
Listening to calming classical music and chewing gum while you study are helpful items that can help you remember things better.
Coffee or energy drinks could help, but substance abuse is a huge black hole. Use them occasionally, but depend on your own good work for quality results.
If you don't study for an exam even though you should have, don't beat yourself up. It actually makes you avoid studying. Instead, tell yourself that you *will* do better next time. Make yourself determined. When questioning on whether or not to study, remember the time that you didn't and felt terrible after the exam. use this to motivate yourself.
Always give yourself a break time and always plan things out one by one. Viewing three tests as one obstacle can become overwhelming.
Everyone hits a point that they don't understand, or has a paper they're frustrated enough to quit over. Don't let that one obstacle ruin you- get help from your professor, your study group, whatever, and solve the problem. Quit only after the problem is solved, if you still want to.
Do the subject you don't like first, and move towards the easier tasks. You'll last longer and get more done.
Listening to music can also enhance your study ability by a lot it doesn't matter what you listen to. People say listening to music keeps the thoughts in your head the next time you study because you remember the music and what you have studied wile listening to the music.

BALASUBRAMANYA B N

CCI STUDENT....

44687 Points Joined January 2009

Warnings

Stay away from distractions while you are studying like computers, TV, non-soothing music (music with lyrics can distract you), etc.
Do not study if you're tired. But don't go with "I'm tired" all the time. Sleep, or go out and exercise, and start again.
If you're going to a party, budget the party AND the sick hangover time as down time in your schedule. Don't try to work through- you'll waste your energy and get frustrated.
Do not cram; there is no point in trying to, because you will only remember very little and it won't help your future career because you'll have rotten recall.
During all nighters you'll lose as much information from sleepiness as you'll learn from the extra time spent. Stay up late, but make sure you're budgeting at least 6 hours for sleep, even on your night before the big exam. Your brain processes what you've learned in your sleep.
Don't abuse substances too much. Don't use tobacco. Often times, caffeine as well will lead to jitters making it impossible to get any decent studying in.