Studying in college is nothing like studying in high school. In high school you go home and study in the comfort of your (probably) quiet home. In college you are constantly surrounded by people and distractions and you typically have a million other things to do. College exams are also significantly more intense than high school ones ever were.
Now that I’ve totally psyched you out and potentially made you more stressed about studying (yay!), here are some fancy college study tips that are going to seriously revolutionize the way you study and help you ace your next exam.
1. Be realistic about your mindset.
If you are in the middle of an intense Grey’s Anatomy episode and know you cannot focus on studying until you figure out what happens at the end, watch the freaking episode. Watch only that one episode and then go back to studying. If you’re extremely tired, you are not in the right mindset to study. Drink coffee or take a brief nap and set an alarm. If your mind is preoccupied you’re less likely to retain information. With this being said, know when you’re trying to get yourself out of studying (ie: saying you’re too tired to study but knowing you’re not actually that tired) and when you really aren’t in the proper mindset.
2. Get your study materials together in advance.
Rather than having to make a review sheet or flashcards in the same chunk of time you’ve allotted for studying, make them in advance. Most review sheet or flashcard making is somewhat mindless and can be done while multitasking or during bits of down time between classes. Don’t use your study time for getting your study materials together–it’s not the most efficient use of time.
3. Move your phone.
You’ll be fine not having it next to you for an hour. Personally I leave my ringtone on and if I hear a ping or a message notification I get up, look at it, respond and then go back to doing my work. That’s not the best method but it stops your “Am I missing something!?!” fears that you might get if you totally put your phone on silent.
4. Snack before studying.
Personally, if I snack while I study I get so distracted by my snack. Whether it’s dipping chips in salsa or making sure I get the perfect ratio of peanuts to raisins in my handful of trail mix, I am distracted so easily by food. Plus, as a fairly clumsy person, I’m prone to getting coffee or food on my studying materials (gross). You’ll most likely study better if you’re not hungry and you’ll be less distracted if you eat before (not during) studying. This might not apply to you–perhaps you can snack in work. I, for one, can’t.
5. Avoid studying in bed.
Some study said that it’s more difficult for you to do homework and studying while in your bed because your body and mind associate the bed with sleeping. Try to use your desk, go to the library or study in a place where you’ve been known to be productive. Plus, it’s so easy to get so comfortable and bored with your materials that you just drift off too sleep….
Photo Taken By Kiera Fitzgibbon
6. Write down when your test is and plan to study accordingly.
If you’re someone who needs to study a bit each day of the week before the test, plan for it. Set reminders. Pencil it into your schedule. If you, like me, studies best the night before, be sure to clear your calendar. If you know that you have a busy day the day before, plan to study a different time. Working all of this out in advance can save you stress and a headache.
7. Don’t burn yourself out.
Realize when enough is enough–if you’ve been studying for a while and noticed you’ve stopped retaining information you have to give yourself a break. Go for a walk, make yourself a snack, study for something else–just clear your brain.
8. Change your studying methods to match the type of exam.
If the test is going to be all essays, make yourself essay outlines or force yourself to do a rough draft of the draft. If it’s matching columns write out the choices and answers on paper and match them together on your desk. If it’s multiple choice or mostly vocabulary, flash cards are a great way to study. Flash cards are my studying method of choice–they’re so easy to bring with you and toss in your back if you have free time.
9. Get tutoring help if you need to.
Most schools offer tutors or study sessions that are free or cost a small fee. If you know you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to get help! Even if you don’t want to seek a tutor, try asking around to see if any of your friends or classmates might be able to give you some help with the difficult topic or subject.
10. Make a study guide
If your professor has given you an outline, this is the perfect place to start. Add all of the definitions, charts and important things to know onto this one guide. It can also be helpful to make a Google Doc study guide with some of your classmates so you can all combine notes and get it done quicker!
As you make the study guide you’ll begin to retain some information and no matter how you study, this guide will help you. I like to make a study guide and then use this guide to create flashcards more quickly.
Hopefully these college study tips will help you ace your next exam! What are some of your best studying tips?
