Ways to Study in College ~ So you’ve finally made it. After all those years of hard work and dedication, you’ve been accepted into your dream college and are all set to take the next step in your life.
A Must-Read: Challenges You Are Going To Face Earning A Degree
You can only imagine the classes you’ll take, the parties you’ll attend, and the guys you will meet…
Before you get ahead of yourself, keep in mind that college is first and foremost an academic adventure. As such, it’s important that you know the best study techniques to get your college career started off on the right track. By following the proper study strategies, you will be able to maintain an excellent GPA throughout college and eventually land that job you’ve been dreaming of.
In this post, we’ll tell you eight of the best study strategies so that you’ll be ready for whatever your college classes throw at you. Let’s begin!
Rent Textbooks
Let’s start with one of the most useful. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is that you have to pay for your textbooks when you make it to the collegiate level.
And they’re more expensive than you may think.
In fact, depending on your major, you may find that you have to shell out hundreds of bucks per semester just to get your education started.
Obviously, that’s not what anyone is looking forward to.
Luckily, most universities will allow you to rent your textbooks at a fraction of the price, meaning you can save hundreds of dollars every year. The only catch?
You’ll have to give your textbooks back to the bookstore at the end of the semester.
Between you and me, that’s a small price compared to the extra hundreds you’ll be expected to spend buying all your books.
Renting your textbooks will allow you to study stress-free and without financial strain.
This, in turn, will make your studying more effective and allow you to get better scores on your assignments and exams.
Study with a Partner
You’ve heard it before, and in this case, it’s true: two heads are better than one.
It’s worth finding someone in your class to study with. You’ll find it easier to grasp those tricky concepts if you have someone else who can look at the material from a different angle.
Often, what you don’t pick up on, your study partner will.
Having a study partner is the best way to study before a big test or final exam.
You’ll want someone who can quiz you on the information so that you can make sure you’ve got an understanding of all the core concepts before your big day.
Conversely, you’ll feel much more in control of the material if you’re able to quiz your partner over the source material.
Worried about finding a study buddy? You shouldn’t! Your classes will be filled with wide-eyed freshmen just like you.
Simply by asking, you should find a good study buddy in no time!
Study with a Group
A partner, not enough? Try studying with a group! Many college students find it easier to prepare for big tests and exams by working with a variety of students in their classes.
Though some professors are particular about the way you can go about your group studies (depending on the class, you may not be allowed to use a Google Doc), you’ll find studying with larger groups from your class a rewarding experience.
For bigger study groups, it’s important that you are all on the same page.
Consider taking a study guide so that you can move through the course content together, and make sure to voice your questions if you have any.
It’s important not to be too shy when you participate in group studies.
The good news? There will be countless study places all around campus that are ideal for your group studying!
Consider going to your campus library or to a student center.
Remember that student centers are better for larger groups that need to talk, as libraries generally have more stringent volume control requirements.
Whatever the case, take advantage of this great study tip if you’re looking for a great way to master your course content.
Take Advantage of Your Resources
One of the best things about college is the access you’ll have to a variety of resources.
Course Hero is a great out of the box resource, go check them out.
Compared to high school, where you largely have only your textbooks, teachers, and the Internet, you will have access to high-quality study materials and locations at your university.
This starts with your professors. Though some professors may not be as helpful as others, it never hurts to ask your professor if you have any questions about the course content.
More often than not, your professors will be able to give you valuable study tips and direction.
In addition to this, you’ll have a library of information that will aid you in your studies.
No matter your major, your university library should be full of valuable learning materials related to your course content.
Studying English literature? You can bet that the books you are reading in class are in your university library.
Majoring in a foreign language? You’ll probably find a few language textbooks in the library.
No matter what it is that you are trying to learn, a trip to the library is in your best interest.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of your university’s student centers. These student centers often have places to study, eat, and socialize. Make sure you use these resources for optimal studying!
Make a Schedule
While you may have gotten by not studying frequently in high school, it’s likely that you won’t be so lucky in college. In fact, you’ll probably find yourself studying more than ever.
As such, it’s important that you make a schedule. Without a schedule, you’ll find it difficult to structure your days and get the most out of your college experience.
Your brain functions better when it knows what to expect. This means that, just as you have a set class schedule, you should also have a set study schedule.
Research suggests that it takes up to three weeks to form a new habit. This means that you should keep to a set study schedule every day for at least this amount of time.
Doing so will get your brain into a pattern, making it much easier for you to stick to your studies and get good scores.
A schedule also allows you to make sure you find the perfect balance between your studies and your personal life.
One of the most common mistakes that college students make is focusing on one or the other.
You don’t want to get bad grades because you spend too much time in the local party scene, but you also don’t want to regret not having enough fun during your time at college.
Limit Your Party Time
Building off this, one of the best ways to be successful at college is to keep your partying to a minimum.
While it may be tempting to run off and participate in every nearby party, you can bet that this is a good way to start dropping some letter grades.
This is especially true when alcohol is involved. Make sure that you keep your long term interests in mind before you agree to go off to any party or event.
While it’s okay to indulge in short term fun from time to time, remember that your goal at college is to develop yourself into an academic and marketable candidate for future job positions.
What does this mean for you?
Simply put, it means that you should know when to say no. This is particularly true before big tests like midterms and final exams that are generally worth several percentage points of your final course grade.
By keeping your partying to a minimum, you can enjoy your college experience while maintaining the scores you need to exceed in your classes.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to cut out partying completely. You’re allowed to have a little fun.
Still, you shouldn’t make your college solely about the partying experience (unless your aim is to flunk or forget everything you’ve learned, of course.)
Find Your Own Study Spot
In order to get the most out of your college experience, you’ll want to find a spot that’s conducive to studying. This may require that you scout campus for the best spot.
Often, you’ll find good spots in your university library or in the student centers located on campus.
In general, libraries often impose stricter rules (such as no eating or volume control policies).
Still, many students find these policies helpful when it comes to maintaining a peaceful and distraction-free study environment.
If you need a little white noise, consider studying at your university’s student center. This is a great place to study with a little extra noise but still get your work done.
You’ll also be able to eat and watch TV there, so you won’t have to worry if you’re making a little extra noise yourself.
If neither of these options appeals to you, you’ll be able to find other spots around campus, as well.
Many students enjoy studying outside on the quad or other shady areas.
If the smell and sounds of nature help you study, don’t be afraid to go outside and get your studying done.
Read a book under a dazzling blue sky or relax under a huge tree as you do that chemistry homework.
Once you find your spot, you’ll find that it’s much easier to study and stay on track.
Keep in mind that you may want to find a backup spot, as college campuses are filled with students, and there’s never any guarantee that your first choice will be available on a day to day basis.
Turn Your Phone Off
While those Internet lectures can often be helpful, you’ll find that there are times when you’ll want to turn your phone off for better studying.
More often than not, our phones and other mobile devices serve only to distract us from the task at hand.
If you have a big test coming up, you’ll find it much easier to study if your
This means that you may need to do more than simply put your phone on silent.
Turn it off completely, stick it in your pocket, and resist the temptation to look at it for several hours.
Once you get done with your study session, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve made it.
This is especially true if you have problems with procrastination or are rarely known to do what you say you are going to do.
Remember that if you keep this practice three weeks, it can turn into a habit, so try to turn your phone off as much as you can to avoid any distractions.
Of course, there may be times when your phone comes in handy. If you don’t have a computer nearby, you may need your phone for quick Google searches or to look in foreign language dictionaries.
In these cases, it’s okay to use your phone, but remember to keep your phone usage to a minimum and not to use it for anything other than studying.
This means you can’t check that message you get on Facebook or decide to initiate a conversation with a friend.
The best way to study is to stay on task, so make sure you do this if you wish to get good scores.
The Bottom Line
Nobody likes studying.
Still, if you wish to succeed at the collegiate level, it’s important that you find study strategies that work for you. That’s why we’ve included ten of the best study tips in this article.
By following the advice in this guide, you will be able to take your studying to the next level and maximize your college experience.
So don’t wait! If you’re already enrolled in college, put these tips to the test today and see how they work for you!
