ST U D Y H A BITS
Successful Study Habits
By Caitlin Kelly
W College is a time to further develop and improve your study habits— here’s how.
hether you’re starting your college career three months or three decades after your high school graduation, one thing is for sure—it’s time to learn how to study more effectively. College courses differ greatly from high school courses in that your grade will most likely be calculated from three tests, a few papers, and a final exam. There is no “homework cushion” keeping your grade steady, and opportunities for extra credit are rare. This means that every exam grade can have a huge impact on your grade, so you must make each one count. It may sound like a lot of pressure, but if you employ the right study techniques and figure out early on what works best for you, you’ll be in great shape come exam time.
Go To Class This might seem like a no-brainer, but the combination of large class size, lax attendance policies and late nights may make it easy and tempting to skip class. Attendance is very important so you don’t miss pertinent information, study tips, or a pop quiz. Plus, oftentimes professors will cover material in class that is not covered in the book, and that material almost always ends up on the exam. Come exam day, this is a huge blow to students who didn’t attend class, but it’s like free points for those who did. So skip the snooze button and get yourself to class!
Take Good Notes Taking quality notes during your lecture keeps you focused, helps you commit the material to memory, and helps keep you organized during study sessions. If your professor talks too rapidly or you can’t write fast enough, consider investing in a small digital recorder to use during lectures. This is a great way to play back information after class to make sure your notes are as accurate and complete as possible. Take Advantage Of Office Hours Professors and teaching assistants make a point of announcing their office hours to the class, but students rarely take advantage of this one-on-one teaching opportunity. If you need clarification on a difficult subject or are simply interested in getting more information, pop into their office for a quick visit. Professors appreciate you taking interest in their course and when they know that you’ve been putting in considerable effort, chances are they will be more generous when calculating your final grade. Join A Study Group They say there’s strength in numbers—and studying for exams is no exception. Finding a good group of people who get together once a week to discuss notes, lectures, questions and exams is a great way to clarify confusing subjects, gain a better grasp of the material, and have fun. A word to the wise: find a group of people that will actually stay on task—it’s very easy for a study session to turn into just a group of friends hanging out and chatting. Remember it’s called a study group for a reason! Don’t Procrastinate Try studying for an hour or two every day after class rather than resorting to a late-night, caffeine-fueled cram fest the night before the exam. Staying up all night is stressful, robs you of sleep and could actually prevent you from absorbing all of the material. Spreading the material out over time allows you to review the information while it is still fresh, and fully process it. And come exam time, simple review of your notes may be all that is necessary. edu Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO
23