As much fun as it is to talk about how to enjoy Greek life or what clubs to join, it is important that we remember that we signed up for these time consuming things called classes.
For many freshmen, college classes are completely foreign and it is going to take time to adjust to the differences in studying techniques.
Hopefully these tips will help you to do better faster. I have broken them down into the type of class as each type requires different techniques.
Writing/English
There are at least two writing classes that you will need to take in college as a part of general core. You might even have to take more than that if you don’t take random humanities courses or if writing is important to your major.
The best way to study for these classes is to keep up with the reading, to stay on top of your deadlines, and start writing for each prompt or assignment as early as possible so you have plenty of time to edit.
Notes aren’t going to be as important in this type of course because you will likely learn through doing it rather than hearing about it seminar style. One thing you can do is set up a routine for writing.
For example finding a spot in the library or your apartment that is comfortable and doesn’t distract you or listening to a productive playlist like this.
Science
For many students, science can be the most difficult core to do well in. It is important that you schedule quite a bit of study time for these material-dense courses.
You should start the class out by outlining the different topics and researching the ones you aren’t familiar with before they are taught. If you are somewhat familiar with a topic, then they will be easier to remember when you’re taught them a second time.
Next you should print out the slides for a lecture instead of relying on taking the notes by hand. Most of the time these classes will be fast paced with terms that are unfamiliar, so print the notes out ahead of time if possible and spend the class time focusing on the important information and terms.
Also, create a set of note cards or a list of the terms and definitions organized by topic so that you will be able to review them before each test.
In addition, for classes with mathematical problems, you should review them regularly and practice them so you are comfortable with the equations and interpreting the results. The most important thing you must do is review.
You will learn so much information in a short amount of time that it is imperative that you review both daily and weekly so each topic stays fresh. One way to do this is to take the slides and notes you take during class and revise them into a single source that identifies the information, equations and questions all on one area.
Math
Like science, math is one of the more difficult core courses in college. The most important being that the only way to study math is through practice. You might need to understand the concept or reasoning behind an equation but in a majority of your math core you will need to apply knowledge to solve problems.
If possible, print out the slides before class and focus on solving the problems along with your professor.
Try creating a master list of questions organized by section or topic as you go along so when you need to review for a test you can solve these questions to test your readiness. If you find yourself not doing well at a specific area, try to get more problems to practice. Whether you do this by going online, using the text book or going to your teacher that is up to you.
History
This is probably my favorite subject because it is almost entirely based on memorization. Therefore the best way to study for history is to read and review.
You should start by taking detailed notes. Try to keep your in-class notes organized and highlight key terms and people.
When reading at home, you should take notes on important events and terms mentioned. Every week you should compile these two types of notes and revise them into a single medium.
Much like with science, it is important to have a single source to review from so that you don’t miss things. At each test you should have a single set of revised notes that you can used to review and memorize.
It is absolutely worth the time you put in to do this because you will spend less time reviewing and stressing.
Language
Studying for languages can vary based upon the language but there are some general rules to studying them.
For one, you should practice writing and speaking frequently--if you don’t practice you’ll never learn it.
When in class, try to write in the language you are studying while adding definitions or footnotes in English.
When you are at home you should be reading ahead in your text book and keeping up with assigned homework because it helps you to get a grasp on grammar, words and phrases. Try watching movies or listening to music in the language you are studying so you can become more comfortable with hearing it.
As you get more advanced, try finding your favorite books in that language so you can connect the words you know with something you are already familiar with. For example, the Harry Potter series is available in 73 languages.
I didn’t mention PE or freshman specific classes because they rarely require any true studying and if they do, it falls under one of the above topics.
Though all of these tips can help you to do better, remember that the best way to study is to actually attend class. You might be able to learn without going, but it will always be easier if you do!
Good luck and happy studying!
