This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Vanderbilt chapter.
It’s been two weeks since we’ve been back in school, and already people are spending long nights in the library. It seems Vanderbilt doesn’t mess around but gets serious rather quickly. And while we all have our own study techniques, a little preparation and organization now can always help later in the semester. Here are some quick tips on how to get organized and study smarter.
- Get a binder or a folder for each class.
It helps to have all of your papers separated and in one place. This way, you are not scrambling around in your backpack or desk looking for notes the night before your first test. You don’t have to carry the binder to class everyday- just slide your daily notes into the binder or folder when you get back to your dorm room.
- If the teacher posts their lecture slide on oak before class, print them.
Having the slides before going to lecture saves you a lot of extra, unnecessary note taking. That way you can actually listen to the professor instead of frantically trying to write down everything on the screen, and you can look back at the slides later. Also, make sure you leave room in the margins and between the slides so you can write down the few extra things the professor might say that aren’t posted on the slide.
- For some of your first papers, finish them ahead of the due date and meet with the professor or TA so they can critique it.
With new professors, you’re usually not sure exactly what they’re looking for. Going to office hours and meeting with your professor or TA outside of class lets them know that you are putting forth the extra effort, and they will usually give you some good advice on mastering the papers and improving what you have already written. Just don’t expect them to give you all the right answers and explain exactly what you should write! Eventually, after a session or two of office hours, you’ll understand what they’re looking for and you should be able to write a successful paper without their help.
- Use your planner!
Or at the very least, use the calendar on your phone. I promise that you will not be able to remember every assignment, every meeting, and every due date all in your head. It also helps to have it all written down in one place, so that when you’re planning the other parts of your day (working out, social events, etc.) you know what you do and don’t have time for.
As you get back into your busy schedules filled with studying, meetings, work and more, hopefully these tips will help get you started on the right track, but the rest is up to you. Good luck this semester!