Study Tips for College Students

Many college students experience difficulty implementing effective study habits into their daily routine. Studying for a quiz or exam is not necessarily fun, but utilizing good time management skills and study tips will give you more time for other fun activities. You can still party and have a good time, but remember what your priorities are as a college student. Hopefully you are working towards the goal of completing your required courses and graduating with a degree in your chosen major. Doing well in your classes will bring you closer to that goal. Considering the cost of a college education, this shouldn't be taken lightly. There are a number of   tips for students hoping to develop good study habits. I will list them below.

#1. Sleep is very important. Students who get a full night of sleep are usually more alert,than those students who don't. Sleep deprivation often makes learning more difficult. Try to maintain a consistent sleeping schedule.

#2 Set aside time to study. If you have gaps in your class schedule utilize that time to study. Doing this on a regular basis will allow you to establish a routine, that will become a good habit. Students who don't have gaps in their schedule can make time right before or after classes and later in the evening.

#3 Study during the week. Many students enjoy partying , hanging out, or even sleeping late during the weekends. Studying during the week allows students to have free time on the weekend to do the things that they really enjoy. If you enjoy going out in the evening on week nights, than make time to study earlier in the day.

#4 Form a study group. If you dislike studying alone, than study with one or more classmates equally committed to doing well in the class. Select a mutual time and place to meet. The library is a great location  because it provides a quiet and calm atmosphere conducive to studying. You don't have to worry about being distracted by the television, video games, or the radio. Most libraries have rules prohibiting loud talking or music.  The library also has numerous  resources, such as books, and computers, that can make studying and completing assignments easier. An empty classroom is also a great place to study.

#5  Take breaks during study time. Short breaks prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by the information that you are trying to comprehend. Go out doors for a few minutes to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, get a drink of water, or even go to rest room. The break should not be a long break. The longer break that you take,the more difficult it will be for you to go back to studying.  When the break has ended do a quick review of the information that you have already studied and move on to something new.

#6 Set and try to stay within time goals. This is especially essential when you are very busy with a hectic class or work schedule. You may have other responsibilities that require your attention. Setting aside time to study, as well as completing the task will ensure that you are free to do other things.

#7 Test yourself.  Write down a list of key words or phrases that you know will be on your upcoming quiz or test and leave space beneath them. Pretend that you are taking the actual test, and without looking at your book or class notes write down as much information as you can. Go back and refer to your notes or book when you are finished. If you did not do well on particular questions highlight, and study the information  further, until you are certain that you know the answer.

#8 Create a study guide. Some professors choose to give their students study guides. The study guide provides a detailed outline of the material that  will be covered on the actual test. As a student you're expected to read and study the material on your own. Some professors don't give out study guides. I find that it has been very beneficial for me to type up my own study guide. This study guide is based on my class notes and information from the textbook, that I know will show up on the next quiz or exam.  Typing it or even writing it out in my own handwriting helps me to comprehend it more easily.

#9 Use  Index cards .Index cards are excellent for writing down key phrases, words, and concepts. The size makes them ideal for carrying around in your bag or pocket, and you can use them to review anytime, except during the actual exam of course.

#10 Create Mnemonics. This is a learning technique that helps memory. A mnemonic can be a word or short phrase used to represent the answer to a question. Using something that you can easily remember to remember something that is difficult to remember is very helpful. An example of  mnemonics is the phrase" I before e, except after c." This mnemonic has helped many people to remember to spell such words as receive, correctly.

#11 Go to Tutoring Center. If you are not doing as well as you would like to do on your exams and quiz's, consider going to the campus tutoring center to get help with course material that you don't understand. By doing this you will increase your chance of doing  better on your next exam.

# 12 Get advice from students who are doing well on exams. If you know of a student who has been doing well on exams than don't be afraid to ask them for advice about effective study skills that might help you. You would be surprised to know how many students are willing to help other students.

# 13  Speak to your professor. Most professors are happy to assist students who take a genuine interest in understanding the material covered in class. Make an appointment to see your professor during office hours,before or after class to ask about course material that might be confusing to you. Don't wait until the end of the semester, after the final exam to seek out the professor for help.

# 14  Avoid distractions while studying. If you want to get the most out of your study time than it's best to stir clear of people, places, and things that will distract you. The student recreation center, cafeteria, gym, Dorm lobby, or any area that tends to be noisy or highly populated with students at one time is not conducive to concentrating. If you prefer to study alone in your dorm room or off campus apartment, turn off the television or radio, so that the atmosphere is comfortable for reading and comprehending. Some students can study with the television or radio playing, but they are usually the exception, and this is not ideal for most students. If you prefer to study with others make sure that they are really interested in studying and not just playing around or discussing irrelevant things.

#15 Avoid partying or hanging out close to the exam time. This is especially important for students who have not studied for their upcoming exams. Cramming might work for some people, but it's not encouraged as an ideal study method. You should give yourself enough time to become familiar with the exam material, so that you are not unprepared. You don't want to set yourself up for a failure that could have easily been avoided by setting aside a little time to study.

In conclusion whether you decide to incorporate one or more of the above tips into your daily routine, commit to studying. It plays a significant role in how well you will do on exams during the school year, and as a student overall. With midterms now behind us and final exams quickly approaching it would be very helpful to review the material covered during the semester prior to the week of the final exams. Form good study habits and  you will notice a positive difference in your grades. Start right now. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?There is no greater time than the present. Making an effort to do well and you will excel.