How to Get You the ‘A’
If you have waited until the night before your exam to cram, don’t fret, we have all been there. From last-second-learner to perpetual bookworm, here are some good practices that are applicable for all study styles. No matter how you do it, where you do it, or whom you do it with, studying can help you score…the A. What did you think I was referring to?
Plan Out Your Life
Your first instinct when receiving a syllabus may be to trash it. Refuse the urge and hang onto it. This schedule will be a useful guide in determining how much time you have to study before each exam.
Write down all of the important dates on a calendar or agenda. Develop the habit of scheduling time to study, complete assignments, cook, do yoga, and anything else your heart fancies. Color-code your schedule and make lists that are realistic and attainable for the allotted time. Do not compile all of your tasks on one list if you cannot manage them in one day.
It All Starts in the Classroom
Lectures, blech. Many a time I have fallen asleep in an auditorium to the droning on of a professor. However, after much practice I learned to stay awake through the driest of lectures and remain engaged. Bring snacks, drink water and try to hand write your notes. If the professor talks too fast and allows laptops in the classroom, then type up your notes.
Be weary of getting distracted by your technology. Disconnect from social media and don’t answer that text. Dedicate your classroom time for your education.
If your professor posts online noteshells, print them out and bring them to class, it will help you stay organized. Use different colored pens to keep your eyes entertained. Date your notes so you can stay on top of the topics for the next exam.
Simply reading the textbook may not help you get the grade. Even if you are getting notes from friends, taking your own notes is more effective for committing information to memory.
Change Up the Scenery
The library can be a dreary and depressing place for studying. Sit outside for a little while; go to a coffee house or just find a place that makes you feel productive. Change your location when you study a different subject to help absorb the information a little better. Reviewing your notes from class or flashcards will stick when you change your environment. Whether you prefer noisy, quiet, or somewhere in between, change it up to get the best results.
Catch Some Z’s
Rest, rest, rest! Pulling all-nighters will do more damage than good. Sleeping 6-8 hours is essential for proper, everyday function. According to an article by Column Five Media, only 2% of people function with 5-6 hours of sleep and another 2% need at least 9 hours of sleep to function. Do not cheat yourself out of the rest you deserve.
Use Your TA & Friends
Teaching Assistants have office hours for a reason. If you are struggling with a calculus problem, set up an appointment with your TA. They are there for your use and are a free source of information.
Have a TA that isn’t helpful? Call together a study session with your fellow peers. Small group studying can be beneficial. You can bounce ideas off each other, quiz each other and keep one another motivated to succeed.
Let us know how these methods work out for you. Have any that you want to share? Comment below! Good luck out there, folks!
Looking for more tips? Check out these helpful articles!
Rasmussen – How To Study
Campus Explorer – Best Study Tips for College Students
Art of Manliness – Ace Your Exams
The College Prepster – Intense Study Tips