It’s that time of year of again- misterm season! To help reduce some of the stress you may be feeling right now, here are eight simple ways to help you study better.
1. Highlight
I whole-heartedly believe in the power of the highlighter. Highlighting allows you to focus in on the most important topics. Also, when you highlight your notes after a lecture it gives you the opportunity to review what you have learned.
2. Change of Environment
Studies have shown that students who study in environments similar to their testing environment tend to do better on exams. Also a change in environment may be just what you need to focus better.
3. Read the Given Literature
There is a reason why professors assign reading assignment for class, they want you to actually read it. Reading the literature for a class gives you more insight into the material you are learning. Another tip is to read before the class, this way you already have a bit of background on the topic before lecture even starts.
4. Go to Office Hours
Believe it or not, but professors love it when students come to office hours. It helps you get a deeper understanding of the course material and it helps to establish a repertoire with that certain professor.
5. Utilize Your TA
If you any questions you feel nervous asking the professor about, then ask one of the highly qualified teaching assistants available to you. Your TA has probably already taken the class before, and knows which direction to steer you in.
6. Find a Study Partner (or Group)
Working with others may be the best option for those who don’t want to go to a professor or TA for help (though I highly recommend it). Join a study group so that you can all benefit from each other’s brilliance. Who knows, you may learn a new method for solving that math problem you’ve been stuck on.
7. Remove all distractions
Clean up the area around you so that nothing gets in your way. If you know you can’t help but check your phone every five minutes, then put it away in your backpack to eliminate the distraction.
8. Take a Break
Get up, take a walk, get something to eat. You’ve been studying for a while now and deserve a break. Breathe for a little bit and then head back to work with a clear mind.