As a new college student, I am quickly learning that studying is essential to one's success in college courses. Studying has taken on an entirely new form. Because college classes are less frequent than average high school classes, there's more time built in for outside work and studying. Because of this, I have quickly learned what studying techniques are effective and which ones are not.

1. Quizlet.

The best thing about Quizlet is that it's free. Quizlet works best for studying facts because you enter in information in the form of flashcards. It allows for you to review flashcards, play typing and memorization games, and take tests based on the flashcards you entered in. You can also make multiple Quizlets for different units or subjects, and then organize it all in folders. All you work will be saved, so when finals come around, you'll have all your notes ready to study.

2. Reading notes out loud.

Reading your notes aloud is incredibly helpful when it comes to reviewing notes or essays. Many students find that when they read their notes or textbooks, they end up reading the same lines over and over, or simply just cannot concentrate. Reading your notes out loud forces you to read and absorb each word. As well as this, you should always read an essay or paper aloud before submitting it to be graded. When checking your work in your head, it is easy to pass over simple typos or mistakes.

3. Group quizzing.

Studying with your peers is not only fun, but also helps you combine notes. You can fact check each other and quiz each other in preparation for an upcoming test or quiz. Teaching your friends your notes or explaining processes helps solidify inform in your head, so if you don't have time to study in a group, you could grab a friend or family member and review quickly.

4. Tutoring services with your school.

Tutoring services are designed to help students and answer questions one on one. Many students are hesitant to reach out to the tutoring services, but sometimes tutors can help explain information in a way that makes more sense to you as an individual.

5. Highlight.

Highlighting your notes as you take them helps organize them in a way that makes sense to you later, when reviewing your notes. Having organized notes is essential because it helps when you study over them. You review, copy, or make flashcards based on the notes you highlighted in class. Highlighting notes also focuses you on what information is important to know, and what information isn't.