Maybe your grades didn’t turn out as well as you had planned last semester. Or maybe you made the Dean’s List and you’d like to keep it that way! Here are some tips to make this semester’s studying go much more smoothly.
1. Spend at least a little time every day studying.
Whether this is actually doing homework assignments or just reading over your notes from the last class, it is much easier to spend a little time each day studying than trying to cram everything into one night. This is also helpful with big papers. If you write your first paragraph days before the essay is due, your brain will subconsciously think about that topic and you may find yourself with several more ideas when you next sit down to write it.
2. Put all due dates into a calendar.
This includes not only big papers, projects and exams, but small, weekly assignments as well. If it’s in your regular calendar, I recommend making those items a different color. It can be very easy for regular assignments to slip your mind (especially the dreaded CLA 1001) and seeing that color when you check your calendar will help remind you that you have something due.
3. Take productive study breaks.
I am notorious for taking two-minute study breaks that turn into twenty minutes because I see something on my phone that distracts me. A better idea would be to get up and do something, whether it’s just eating an apple or stretching. One of my sisters likes to look up Zumba videos on Youtube and we all dance for a few minutes before going back to our work. Focus on spending your breaks doing something that reenergizes you.
4. Put away your phone.
This idea scared me when I heard it, too. However, it makes you so much more productive. Put your phone on airplane mode or stick it in a place where you can’t reach it easily. Eventually, you get so focused on your work that you forget about it. If that doesn’t work for you, set a timer and tell yourself that if you study for a certain amount of time without distractions, you can check your notifications.
5. Check out useful study apps.
This may seem like the opposite of the tip above, but apps like StudyBlue or Evernote can be super useful, especially if you’re on the go. I use StudyBlue to review flashcards while riding the bus or waiting in line. Since we as students are so technology-oriented, it makes sense to integrate apps into our studying routine.
6. Find a study group.
A study group is a low-pressure environment to ask questions or quiz each other. It is also helpful to try to teach the concepts you are learning to other people to make sure they are embedded in your brain and that you understand them. Also, showing up to a study meeting makes sure you actually go over the material. It doesn’t have to be super formal; it could be you and another sister in your chapter house’s study room or at Starbucks, just as long as you are reviewing the material.
7. Participate in your classes.
If your professor is the type who asks the class questions, make sure you are one of the people answering those questions. If you don’t understand something, raise your hand and ask for clarification. This may be easier to do in small classes or discussion sections. If your professor doesn’t let students talk or ask questions during lecture, email them afterwards or go to office hours. Not only will you learn material better, but your professor will remember you as the student who was involved and committed to their education.
