The quarter system can be overwhelming for many people, including myself. It’s so fast-paced that, before you know it, it’s midterm week. Sometimes, I struggle to keep up or finish the syllabus in such a short amount of time. However, over the past two years at college, I’ve realized that studying smarter and not harder is the true pathway to academic excellence. By focusing on efficient time management and using effective study strategies, you can improve your grades without burning out.
My first tip for you to study smarter is to create a study schedule. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks helps avoid procrastination and makes tackling assignments feel less overwhelming. This strategy has proved to be very useful, especially when I’m balancing classes, clubs, and work. For example, during shorter breaks between my classes, I try to finish smaller assignments to mark off tasks from my to-do list. It keeps me productive and gives me a sense of accomplishment throughout the day.
An additional study technique that works wonders for me is writing down everything I’ve learned in class. This makes it easy to identify the topics I need to focus on. It’s been especially useful in my biology classes, where active recall is crucial. To prepare for midterms and finals, I write my own version of notes after class, as if I’m going to teach the material to someone else. Then, I practice solving the problems to reinforce what I’ve learned.
For the tougher classes, like biochemistry, I find that working through questions with a friend can be incredibly beneficial. Studying with a friend not only makes the process more engaging, but it also helps me learn faster and understand concepts I might have missed on my own. We are able to teach each other, which makes retaining the material easier.
Another method I use, for classes like math or statistics, is writing the names of topics being covered on post-it notes and sticking them to the start of my lecture notes. This simple technique has helped me immensely during the midterm and final seasons. By filing my notes, I can quickly see which topics I’ve covered and which ones I still need to review. Having labeled notes saves me time and prevents me from missing important material in the last-minute rush before exams.
I’ve found that using AI or Quizlet is a game-changer for my general education classes with multiple-choice midterms and no practice exams. I upload my notes, and it generates questions based on the material. This is incredibly useful for reviewing and testing my knowledge, especially when I don’t have any practice questions.
That being said, I only use them as a supplemental study tool that helps me guide and review notes, but all studying and exam preparation is done on my own. It’s just one of many resources I use to reinforce what I’ve already learned. It’s an efficient way to get a better sense of what might appear on the exam and to assess my readiness.
Studying smart means finding strategies that work for you. By managing your time effectively, using active recall, collaborating with others, and staying organized, you can set yourself up for success. Whether it’s using tools on the internet or making simple changes to how you organize your study materials, these strategies have helped me manage the quarter system without burning out. I hope some of these tips help you, too!