If you’re starting college in the fall, you want to have the right tools and strategies to succeed for all four years. When you listen to your professors, take detailed notes. This is what I did when I was in college and it helped a lot because it was those notes that included key points that the professors included on the tests. You won’t only be tested on what is in the textbooks. The professors like to include lecture notes on exams too. Here are more effective study habits to succeed in college.
Start Special Projects Ahead of Time
Throughout college, you’ll need to complete special projects. Don’t wait until the last minute to research and organize the things you need for the project. If you need to do a 20-page research paper and the due date is a month from now, begin your rough draft on the day it’s assigned. When you do it this way, you allow yourself more time to revise the research paper. If you need to create a video presentation, gather research on the topic early.
Read A Few Chapters Ahead of Time
Your professor generally asks you to read one or two chapters, but go beyond that and read more chapters before your next class. It gives you a head start on what the professor will discuss next and you’ll be more prepared to participate in class discussions. As you read the extra chapters, take notes of key points.
Create Flashcards for Difficult Terminology
If you come across difficult vocabulary words, create flashcards so you can remember them. You can also create flashcards to remember historical events, certain theories, and math concepts. Study these flashcards for 30 minutes to an hour daily. Over time, you’ll be a whiz in the subject and improve your success on tests.
Develop A Regular Study Routine
Be intentional with your time by developing a consistent study routine. One thing you can do is use a block schedule when studying your subjects. You can spend one to two hours on biology and then spend two to three hours each on the remaining subjects. Make this a daily habit and you’ll do well in your studies. Choose a quiet room that is free from distractions.
Get A Few Study Partners
Sometimes studying alone can be tedious, especially if you’re studying a boring subject. Get a few study partners who will keep you on track and not distract you from your work. One benefit of having study partners is that they offer strategies and insights that can help you understand the subject. They can also make lessons more engaging than if you studied alone.
Meet With Tutors and Professors
One of the best study habits to have is to get help from your professors and tutors. Your professors want to help you and they have numerous resources to assist you. If you’re struggling with calculus, your professor can have study sessions with you during her office hours. She may also give you extra books and recommend Youtube channels that would be helpful. Tutors are also helpful.
Space Out Your Study Sessions
You can add the spaced studying method to your toolkit of study habits. Spaced studying is when you break down your study sessions into chunks instead of cramming entire topics all at once. Suppose you have a biology exam coming up. You would spend the first week on chapter 1 of the textbook and then during the second week, you study chapter 2 while reviewing what you learned from chapter 1. You do this every week with future chapters until the day of the exam.
Try The SQ3R Method
Improve your study habits with this method. Start by skimming through the chapter and taking notes on the headings and subheadings as well as key points. Then you’ll need to write questions about the chapter. The next step is to read the chapter to find the answers to the questions you wrote. You’ll then summarize what you read and finally, you’ll review the material.
Do Sample Problems From Textbook
Many textbooks have sample problems and one way to study is to complete them for practice. You may see similar problems on your exams so this helps you prepare. You can also create your own versions of the sample problems for extra practice. This is something I did a lot when I was in college.
Watch Documentaries on The Topic
If you’re a visual learner, you can watch online documentaries on your struggling topic. If you’re having difficulty studying World War II history for an exam, watch documentaries on major events during this time. Take notes during the documentaries and compare them to what is in the textbook. This also makes studying more interesting.
Get A Planner
Having a planner is helpful because you’ll need to organize your academic life. Use the planner to write down important exam and project due dates to keep track of what you need to do during the school year.
Your success in college depends on how well you study and prepare yourself for challenging times as a student. With these effective tips, you’ll get through college and thrive in all that you do.
