This will be a compilation of my top ten tips on how to survive college when it comes to studying, balancing your time, and giving time to treat yourself.
1) If anything, get a planner.
My favorite thing during syllabus week is to get a hold of all my syllabi and write down when something is due and my test dates. Seeing it on paper instead of jumbled in my mind is great for mentally preparing myself and I highly recommend it.
2) Time yourself.
Spending two-three hours of time outside of each lecture is crucial to prepare before or review after class. I will set a timer to work about an hour in one sitting before each class, because otherwise I get distracted and I will get overwhelmed. Doing this helps me prepare for class, and what I need to review after class.
3) Do Not Disturb
Let's face it, phones are probably the most distracting thing in existence. Snapchat, Twitter, and YikYak are not going to help you practice those problems and write the research paper. Turning it off just for an hour can help improve your focus.
4) Copy your notes... AGAIN
In class, I tend to listen more than try to rush to copy down my notes perfectly. Absorbing the information, in my opinion, is more important than focusing on the presentation. However, after class I like to recopy my notes to make them chronological and easy to read, and a lot more pleasing to the eye when you study for a test later on.
5) Take Breaks.
If you are brain dead, you are brain dead. Trying to keep on studying when you are not all there is a bad thing. Take a walk, get a coffee, whatever.
6) Ask the Professor
Email, come during office hours, make sure they know your name. Seriously. Most professors love questions as long as they are well thought and you have tried to the best of your ability to answer them yourself. In my experience, professors can be a lot more helpful in their office hours than during class.
7) Quiet vs Music?
Honestly, this is probably an unpopular opinion, but when I am studying it is not the best time to listen to my jam. I feel that if you are going to listen, it should be something less distracting such as instrumentals or classical music.
8) Make Friends
For some classes I have taken, the friends I have made in that class have been way more helpful than even the Professor who taught it! Seriously, meet people who have the same goals as you in the class and talk things over before a test. It can be helpful hearing it or seeing it in another person's way.
9) Colors
Even according to scientific studies, different colors for concepts organizes things and can make your brain see it more efficiently. For instance, 2 semesters ago I was taking a history course and I would color code the dates red, the historical event blue, and the cause/effect orange. Doing this, made me recognize the material on the test and scored me a 97 in the class.
10) DO NOT STUDY IN BED
Studying in bed will lead to resting your eyes for a minute, then all of sudden you wake up from a 2 hour nap and a giant pen mark on your face. Personally, I love the library because I know I cannot walk two feet to the right and go to sleep. Studying in places that are associated with sleep is not a good thing.
