*Be organized. Unplug and reconnect. Don’t cram (unless working under pressure works for you. Don’t over study: Find your zone and take a break.
*Alternate study spaces, study groups, flash cards and manage your time.
The pace of college is in full effect and you are adapting to focus mode. With focus mode comes the need to study effectively in order to be successful in the classroom. Although it sounds boring, there are skillful ways to study that make learning easier and less of a dread. First, you want to make sure you are showing up to class and paying attention.
Take good notes that you can refer to later. You don’t have to write down everything your professor says, but make sure you jot down the important points. Professors will usually tell you when to write down something they want you to have for future references (but there are some that may not tell you).
Each professor handles their class differently, and that is why it is important to be flexible. Once you are in class, organization is key. You want to organize your folders and notebooks accordingly with each of your classes. Placing all of your classwork into one notebook or folder can lead to confusion later.
Whenever you are about to study, find an alternate space where you can think clearly and you are comfortable. It is important to break the habit of studying in your room. This only leads to countless breaks and hopping in bed to go to sleep. Once you realize how much time was wasted, you will begin to cram information into your head, and it ultimately won’t stick.
Picking an alternate location will help you get into a focused headspace, and it allows you to reconnect with the material you learned. Now that you are in your zone, prepare note cards over what you are studying and quiz yourself. If you choose to be in a study group, you can quiz each other until everyone is familiar with the material.
Whether you are alone or with a group of people, manage your time. Studying for endless hours will not always lead to perfected memory; in fact, this can actually cause you to forget material Over-studying is not as effective as studying for 30-45 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break in between. You have to allow your brain to process and relax.
Take these tips into consideration, and watch how much easier studying becomes. You will be a pro in no time. Personally, I have found that I study best when I look over the material on a day I do not have that class. It forces me to remember what we covered in class without having the material fresh on my mind. It may sound backwards, but different studying habits work for different people.
