College Study Habits

Written & Illustrated by Sarah Francioni

Returning to school after a long summer break can make building and mainting effective study habits difficult. Developing an efficient study routine can be especially challening for first-year students, as they are transitioning from a relatively easy highschool work load to a demanding college work load. We all accept the inevitable late-night study sessions and endless exam reviews, but does studying actually have to burn us out? We have all heard the phrase “Study Smarter, Not Harder” before, but what does is really mean to study smarter? After some careful research, I think I’ve found some answers that can help us all be a bit smarter about our study habits.

In health journalist Amy Novotney’s American Psychological Association (APA) article Banish Your Bad Study Habits, she discusses the time and self-discipline required to get a college degree, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good study habits. Novotney highlights that forming new habits is reliant on repetition. Human beings are creatures of habit so the more we do something, the more likely we are to make a habit out of it. Novotney notes a 2010 study conducted by psychologist Phillippa Lally, PhD, that concluded it takes an average of 66 days to develop a new habit, though this can vary depending on the individual.

In the midst of forming new habits it’s important to unlearn some bad ones. It’s easy to pick up unhealthy habits in college, as everything is fast-paced and at times overwhelming. Let’s discuss some bad

study habits that are common amongst college students and should be kicked to the curb.

Cramming for tests is not a helpful way to study, as it puts more stress on you and your brain. Allnighters seem like a good idea, but they ultimately put you at more of a disadvantage on test day.

Smartphones only provide more distraction during a study session and should be turned off so you can focus. We’ll discuss helpful ways your phone can be used when it’s time to study later.

Eating junk food while studying or before a big test only makes you and your brain feel sluggish and tired. Eating a well-balanced meal helps keep you focused.

Studying with a tv on is distracting to the brain and further prevents you from retaining any information.