Finals are right around the corner, which means it’s crunch time for grades. Here’s my list of tips that should help you so that you can come out of the semester on top!
1. Find a place that you enjoy studying. It is important to have a place where you know you can cut out all distractions and focus. It has to be somewhere you feel comfortable and relaxed. For some it is the library, for some it is outside under a shady tree. But find what works for you.
2. Avoid studying in bed. It has been proven that if you try and study or do homework in bed, it will confuse your body. Your body associates places with an action; your bed should only be associated with sleeping. You should condition yourself to associate the place you enjoy studying to be strictly your studying place.
3. Use a planner. College can get crazy with all of the things going on in your classes, social life and organizations. A planner will help to prioritize and keep you on track. I suggest you write all of your assignments and when they are due in your planner as soon as you get the syllabus.
4. Don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is one of the biggest problems that students face. Although you probably can get a paper done in one night, or study for an exam by cramming; it makes a difference to be prepared. Most teachers can tell when you rushed something or didn’t study over the course of a long time and it can hinder your grade.
5. Go to class. In so many cases, to pass a class the big thing you have to do is just show up on a regular basis. People so easily slip into the habit of skipping class and it spirals into bad grades and confusion. Just because a professor does not make class mandatory does not mean that you can skip it for fun. For every class skipped you are wasting the money you spend to attend college. Also, it makes it a lot harder to understand concepts when you don’t learn them in person.
6. Find friends you like to study with. It is important to have a supportive group of friends who you can sit down and get down to business with. These friends are great for when you need the extra motivation to study, or they need it from you.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are so many resources like tutoring and writing centers across college campuses. These are in place for students to utilize and they have proven to be extremely successful.
8. Set aside a time each week where you can collect your thoughts. At the beginning of each week you should sit down and look at your schedule. Find out what is due when and what you need to start studying for so that you can plan your week accordingly.
9. Don’t be discouraged by a bad grade. Everyone has classes that are hard for them, and sometimes when we get bad grades it can be discouraging. Instead if pouting and giving up after a bad grade, ask the teacher for assistance. Have them explain to you why you got that grade, and what you can do better.
10. Don’t forget to spend time enjoying yourself. Studying should be the priority, since it’s what you came to college to do, but everyone deserves once in a while to relax and enjoy themselves. You will likely go mad if you never take any time out of your day to unwind and think about things other than school work.
It’s all about finding a balance in your life of school, extracurriculars and a social life; and figuring out what habits and tactics work for you.