In high school you develop study habits that work for you and many other students. Waiting do to projects at the last minute, skimming reading assignments instead of reading through its entirety and maybe depending on a friend’s notes instead of taking your own. Well, this may have been passable in high school, but it is sure to be an eye opener in college.
High School and College are different in many ways, which means students have much to learn when it comes to developing good study skills. This will separate successful college students from those who are less than successful.
What are good study habits? Different strategies work for different students, so you need to take some time and try various methods and figure out what works best for you. Here are a few methods that successful students have typically put into practice.
Time Management – Good time management skills are essential in the lives of busy college students. With multiple academic and other responsibilities one must set priorities.
A few tips: keep a calendar, plan your time, prioritize, and avoid distractions.
Avoid Procrastination – The reality is that procrastination is hard to avoid 100 percent of the time. Keep focused and identify what behaviors to avoid getting work done on time.
Note-taking – This requires active listening which many students have yet to master. Write down main ideas and major subpoints. Write quickly and make sure to ask for clarification when you do not understand something. It may help to invest in a recording device in order to review your notes in a thorough manner.
Attendance – Sounds basic? It is. Attending class can help improve your grade by understanding how everything fits together, taking notes and getting the information needed for tests and assignments.
Keep Up With the Workload – Successful students understand that some reading may be more useful than others, but they get a lot more out of their classes if they read all that is assigned. Don’t wait until the day before an exam to read, little will be accomplished by cramming all the readings. By keeping up with the readings, you also have time to ask questions that may be integral for your next exam.
Ask For Help – Do not be afraid as students we do not have all the answers, but we do have the ability to ask questions in order to obtain them. Take advantage of the professor’s and/or the teaching assistant’s office hours. Familiarize yourself with the resources on campus that can be very useful like tutoring centers and library resources.
Don’t “Just” Get By – Some students come to class with a calculated risk factor thinking “if I only do this, this and this I can get a B or a C.” Not only does that not work all the time it is a risk a successful student would not want to ascertain. A successful student sees a class as an opportunity to learn and maximizes his or her chances of learning, which of course produces a good grade.
These are just a few tips on good study habits. There are many more you just need to find what’s right for you. One last tip, enjoy school. Choose some “fun” classes and get the most out of them as you can. It does not have to be a chore to go to school.
