If you are like me, academics has always been your strong suit. I was fortunate enough to never really struggle with my high school academics (except for honors geometry), and as a result, I have never really had to study before. Everyone told me that by the time I got to college I would need to learn how to study, and I always just brushed them off. Don’t brush it off like I did. Here are some tips that I’ve figured out on the fly that can help you learn how to study.
- Find your style
-
Throughout this semester I’ve learned that there is no “one size fits all” option for studying. Half the battle is figuring out how you learn and what you need to do to be successful. For example, I found that writing my notes in class and then typing them into a document online helped me retain information better than just taking notes on my computer. Ask yourself questions like: What kind of learner am I (visual, auditory, etc.)?, Do I like to take breaks and spread out studying over multiple days? Or do I like to devote a whole day to study for one exam? Do I need a certain type of music (for me- its classical!)?, and Can I study with a group or do I need to be alone? Once you’ve figured out your studying style, studying will be much easier because you have a plan.
- Go to the library
-
Find your perfect study spot around campus. For me, I know that if I stay in my room I will either get distracted by my phone and end up watching Netflix, or I will lay in bed and take a nap that lasts way too long. I’ve found that the library gives me the perfect environment to focus and get my work done, but there are so many other places available. Try studying at the library, Starbucks, or even your favorite building on campus and see which one you like the best.
- Ask questions (and for help)
-
Don’t hesitate to ask questions in class or for extra help if you are struggling with materials. More often than not, your professors and peer mentors will be happy to help out. Try to ask questions as soon as you get confused so that you don’t fall behind in course material. I know that at least for my major, a lot of concepts build on concepts that we previously learned.
- Utilize study tools
-
Making flashcards or other study tools can really help you learn key concepts or keep information fresh in your mind. There are tons of templates and ideas that you can look at on Pinterest to help you figure out what will work best for you. I like making flashcards and writing on whiteboards.
At the end of the day, figuring out how to study took me a lot of trial and error. It’s also important to realize that you might need to study different ways for different classes. Try to not get discouraged, because figuring out how to study on your own is a challenging, yet vital, skill to acquire. Now that I have a study framework, I feel more confident in how I prepare for exams and quizzes, and I’m sure that you will too.