Study Tip Sunday!

Now that we’re heading back to school, I thought I would talk about the importance of good study habits. This tends to be that kind of boring topic that nobody wants to talk about, but it’s really really important.

When I was in high school, I was a really good student. I didn’t study. I didn’t study at all, and I graduated with a high average grade, getting into my #1 choice school. Not only that, but because I had done a lot of extracurricular activities, I had a few scholarships to rest on. I happened to be the lucky, lucky kind of person who could read something over once and get it, and then everything was good. It was awesome.

First year at university was a breeze. Honestly, it was nothing more than a glorified, overpriced review of what I had learned in high school. Then second year hit, and the carnage began. I had never learned to study, and now that I had based with real and legitimate challenges, I had no idea what I was doing. I really wished that someone had sat me down and made me study.

So here are my tips, based on my last year at university, where I had to study.

1. Pick a good spot to study.
This means not your bed, and not in front of the TV. I have a nice desk that I bought at the Salvation Army for $5, with a nice, comfortable chair. I have my TV on the same desk, but I always make sure it’s off and turned away and such, so it isn’t a distraction. I also make sure that I don’t have any other distractions going on during my study time, including music.

2. Give yourself a ton of time.
Usually, you will have more than enough notice about tests, and if you don’t, you know that the big exam periods are in early December and April. It’s much easier to study a little every day, as opposed to a couple of very long and exhausting days just before the exam. I try to read over what is going to be covered in class before we cover it, and then again after to review. That way, when it comes time for a big test or exam, I can read over it just once or twice more, and get it for sure. This also makes it easy for me to get help before it is down to crunch time. In the days before exams, the profs often do extended help times, but they are packed with procrastinating students. Avoid being one of them, and you’ll not only be more ready, but you’ll get more of the profs attention if you visit them weeks before.

3. Use an agenda or notebook to keep track of your goals.
Set really clear, obvious goals, with clear, obvious due dates and write them down. It’s fine if your goals are challenging, but make them achievable, like moving from a B+ to an A. The writing them down part is important. I see it as making a contract with myself that I must fulfill.

4. Don’t study things that you already know.
If you’re confident with a chapter, then stop reading it. Tackle the parts that you think are the toughest first, because they need the most attention. Think if it as a triage process. The most urgent things need to be done first.

5. If you are pushed for time, do the triage process again.
Even if all goes to plan, there is going to be that one time when you still are in a cramming-type situation, where you simply don't have enough time. Last year, I got sprung with two tests on the same day at the last minute. One was worth 10% of my grade, the other a whopping 30%. Give more time to the more important things. One F brings your GPA down more than two Bs.

6. Make your class time useful.
It’s really easy to waste the time that you’re in class, whether it’s by sleeping, surfing Facebook, or enjoying a game of solitaire. First thing, you don’t want to skip class. You can make class time extra helpful! Pay attention to what the prof is saying, and take good notes. Ask questions and be involved. Things always are better if the prof recognizes your face/voice. If he/she says something more than once, write it down. It will probably come up again on a test. Going back to the “don’t study what you already know”, if they are talking about something you know well, read over your notes for another class. I always bring along some back-up work to do, just in case I get bored. That way I’m always productive.

I really hope these tips help someone. They’re what I use to keep myself on track, and here’s hoping for a great school year in only a couple more weeks!