College. They say high school prepares you for it, but that can’t be farther from the truth. In high school, you listen to your teacher, maybe take a few notes, do the homework, then take a test. In college, however, it’s not that simple. Every professor is different and every class has different demands. I did well my first year of college, but there are things I didn’t figure out until about halfway through my first semester. A couple things, I didn’t pick up on until my second semester. And I am still learning. Everyone learns differently, but I have decided to share a few of my studying habits with you to make your freshman year as easy as it can possibly be.
1) The library is your friend
I have yet to check out or read a book from the library here at my University. I never even stepped past the Starbucks near the library entrance until the end of my first semester. I discovered, eventually, that my library had study rooms located on the second floor that you could check out for up to four hours at a time. This saved me, because I’m not someone who can sit in a crowded area in the student center and focus on my reading, notes, or homework. I enjoy people watching far too much, and I get distracted. However, these study rooms -little rooms with a counter and two chairs for the most part- block out all the noise and distractions. It helps me stay focused.
2) Take hand-written notes for everything
Sure, your economics professor may have said it’s fine to use your laptop to take notes, or maybe even that he is ok with you recording his lectures. Science has proven that hand writing your notes helps you remember things better because the process of hearing someone say it then you physically writing it down locks it into your brain in a way that typing, possibly transposing the entire lecture, does not. This doesn’t mean just scribble down a couple keywords. Take detailed, organized notes. Using different colors and highlighters might help you even more.
3) Don’t do homework on your bed
This one, I didn’t figure out until very recently. I found that if I studied or did homework in bed, I had a hard time and just didn’t have the will to finish what I was doing. I understand, you don’t have a lot of options all the time when you are living in a dorm. But seriously, study in the library or your desk. Find a table in a common area in your building. Do what you have to in order to avoid studying in your bed. Sitting on your bed will just make you want to take a nap. I took a lot of naps my freshman year. I know.
4) Don’t Procrastinate
This one was especially hard for me. I like to refer to myself as the Queen of Procrastination. Those five-page English papers? I wouldn’t start them sometimes until the night before it was due. And yes, I did pass English with flying colors. For most people, doing homework or studying under pressure and in a pinch just doesn’t work out. Don’t push it. I do my math assignments as soon as I get out of my math class because I conveniently have an hour gap between that class and my next class. And even though I usually don’t finish my whole assignment in that one hour of time, getting a start on it right away is the best thing you can do for your GPA.
5) Don’t skip class
I really understand this one. 8AM classes suck. There’s no debate on that one. I also struggled with my random afternoon class last semester. By the end of the day, I was just done. While this isn’t a study tip, this is one of the most important things anyone could ever tell a new college student. I’m sure your parents told you this and you probably just shrugged it off. Even if your professor doesn’t take attendance. Go. To. Class.
I can’t guarantee you will get an “A” in all your classes just with these tips alone. College is work. It is hard work. And if you don’t work for it, you won’t succeed. Simple as that. I am hoping, however, that you will take at least some of my advice from this article. I got through my first year of college knowing these things, and I go to school almost a thousand miles from my family. For those of you that far or farther away from home, you can do it. Find some friends, get involved, stay busy. Call your mom. Form good habits now, both school-wise and life-wise. Head to your campus gym and blow off some steam. Take a Zumba class (my personal favorite part of Mondays). I promise you, with these tips and some hard work and determination, you can get through it. Good luck!
