Here are some benefits to studying
for your college classes the right way:
more leisure time, less stress, less pressure
from your parents, less debt, better grades, and
better career opportunities. Sound worthwhile?
That doesn't mean there isn't work involved, but
it's how you accomplish the work that matters.
You can either work smarter, or keep spinning your
wheels while barely hanging on to passing grades.
Follow these tips to make the
most of your time and mental resources:
Establish
Successful Habits. Here's
a simple formula: Successful habits lead
to success and unsuccessful habits lead to failure.
Commit to studying by establishing a set time and
place. Eliminate distractions. Turn off your
cell phone. During that set time, dedicate
100 percent of your energy to learning.
Prepare.
Read
the topic chapters before the lecture.
(If you haven't purchased the book yet, now is the
time to do it!) This will get you familiar with
the material and give you an indication of what
the professor thinks is most important by what is
stressed in the lecture.
Take
Notes.
As you read, write notes on what you think are the
important points. Then, during the lecture, use
a highlighter to mark your reading notes when the
professor touches on the same points. Take new notes
on material that is not in your book or that you
did not already write down.
Study
More Often for Less Time.
Cram sessions are the least effective way to learn
and retain information. It may sound cool
to pull an all-nighter, but actually, you're wasting
your time as it prevents your brain and body from
functioning at peak levels. Break up your study
sessions into 45-minute blocks with a 10-15 minute
break in between. Grab something to eat, stretch,
or go for a walk. This gives your brain a chance
to absorb the material. Of course this requires
that you plan ahead instead of waiting to crack
open your book the night before!
Study
in Groups. Studying
with other people helps to reinforce the material
by discussing, clarifying, and repeating it in your
own words. In addition, it also forces you to commit
to a time and place to study since other people
are counting on you.
Relate
it to Real Life.
It's much easier to digest and remember information
in the context of a story or personal example than
memorizing a bunch of unrelated facts. Whenever
you can, relate the material to real life.
Find examples in your personal experiences, music,
books, current news stories, business, pop culture,
or case studies. Need help? Ask your professor!
More
College Survival Tips
Real
World Tips
