As a college student, studying is often one of the hardest things to do. With classes, extracurriculars, and trying to have a social life, everything besides studying seems appealing. As I spend more time in college, I’ve accumulated some studying habits and tips that I always do and highly recommend.
- Getting ready and looking put together
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College students often tend to take the easy route and go to class or go about life in sweatpants and pajamas. However, I’ve noticed that whenever I go out and I’m in sweatpants or athletic clothing I tend to be less motivated and want to head back home.
Many people have agreed with me, which is why I began to dress up more and look more put together every time I went out. I did this in order to compare the difference and see if dressing up would help me feel better—which it did! I would put on some makeup and a nice outfit, which would make me feel better about myself and make me more productive.
- Finding a cute study spot
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Getting out of bed, your dorm, or apartment is always key to being productive and getting more work done. Finding a nice study spot such as a coffee shop, a place to sit at school, or even a lounge in your building makes a world of a difference. Seeing other people be productive, makes you want to be productive! Especially at school, you can often see other people in your classes or your friends who you end up studying with and help each other out. Everyone is usually in the same situation, and has to study too!
Some of my favorite study spots in Boston are at CDS on the BU campus, whether sitting at the steps or at any available chair; in between classes or after class is always the best. Another great spot is the Capital One cafe on Newbury Street. The vibes there are amazing and it’s usually filled with people also trying to get work done. Lastly, the ERC is usually not as full as The Capital One Cafe or CDS, and is often more quiet, and boasts some of the best views of Boston.
- Having a study snack
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One of the most important things I’ve found that helps while studying is having something to snack on. Snacking helps prevent the feeling that all you’re doing is studying. It also serves as a reward while you study; the more work you get done, the more you can snack. Also, studying can be very draining. It also takes a lot of cognitive and physical work, which tends to drain your energy quickly. Having a snack tends to help with keeping your energy up.
I’m more of a drink person, although I tend to have both a drink and a snack on hand. Some of my favorites: always a bottle of ice water, a latte or matcha to have some caffeine in my system, a granola bar like a Nature Valley bar, and some sort of candy or chocolate. I try to have a variety of snacks so I don’t get bored, hungry, or tired. It’s also important to eat before you study, but not a big meal. Just enough to keep you full while you study. Of course, eating after you study is also important!
- Time Management
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It’s important to note that college work tends to be very draining and tiring. Keeping track of when you eat and when you take breaks is important for not burning out and getting tired so quickly. The best tip I’ve received when it comes to studying is to space out your work. This allows you not to be so overwhelmed and helps you work on all of your assignments in a timely manner. During your time at college, you develop many important skills you will use in your future life. Time management and figuring out the best way to work is so important.
These are some of the things I do when it comes to studying. As college students we are practically always studying and have a lot of work to complete. This can often feel overwhelming and unappealing, so romanticizing or having something to look forward to when you study is imperative.
In the future, think of these tips and try to apply some as it never hurts to try something new!
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