Rachel Salim

Western Michigan University

You may have skated through high school without having to study. You will find that college is a different ball game. First you must determine what type of learner you are. Are you a visual learner? An auditory learner? A kinesthetic learner? Visual learners learn best by seeing things. A good way for you to study might be to read your notes over in different formats. You can even tape up a gallon size baggie in the shower, insert your notes and read them in the shower. You may also find you like reading them better if they are written in certain colors or highlighted. If you are combination visual/kinesthetic learner, writing your notes over and rereading them will help. Auditory learners learn best from hearing the information. Record the lesson and listen to it in your car, in your ipod and as you go to sleep. If you take written notes, record it yourself. The speaking it into the recording device will help as much as the listening. True kinesthetic learners are more unusual. Young children trace letters in the air or feel words written in a 3D format to learn them. Writing your notes over several times by hand may help you. Try these different approaches, and find which one or which combination works best for you.

Cathy Hooper

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Texas A&M University

    Two of my hardest classes taken during my college experience were both of my Western Civ. classes. They were difficult for a few reasons: large class size (80-100 students), no textbooks, and the information was very detailed and not applicable to everyday life. Every class consisted of the professor standing behind a podium and lecturing straight for 90 mins. Here are some tips and strategies that I used for both of these classes that helped me be successful and do well in the class. These strategies can be applied to any type of lecturing class, not just Western Civ. classes.

    First off, you need energy in order to be able to keep up for 90 mins. and be able to write fast. Make sure to eat before class and/or bring something small and simple with you. Bring a coke, coffee or energy drink with you to help keep you going. The next piece of advice is a personal preference. I ALWAYS handwrote my notes. However, many people prefer to type their notes because they type faster than they write. While this maybe true, I find that by handwriting my notes, I learn the material better. The material seems to stick with me and I remember what I wrote rather than what I typed. Make sure to bring a lot of paper, pencils and extra writing utensils.

    After class was over I would make sure to go back to my notes at some point THAT day to highlight keywords, people, dates or events. I also reread my notes to make sure they made sense or that I could read all of my handwriting. Going back over your notes on the same day of class is so important because the material is fresher in your mind. Each day you wait the easier it is to forget what you were writing, meant to write or to remember what the professor said. Also this gives you time to meet up with a classmate before the next class to compare notes to see what you might have missed or any incorrect information (such as dates or names, etc) that you may have written. ALWAYS date your notes and keep them in order because this will help you keep the information straight. This is key for Western Civ. classes since chronology is crucial to understanding history.

    Next comes the test. For history classes where the material isn't common knowledge allow yourself MORE time than normal to study for these tests. I usually started studying for my tests a week ahead of time. However, it doesn't matter how much time you spend studying for the test, but rather HOW you spend that time. USE TIME WISELY AND EFFECTIVELY!! I always went somewhere quiet where I would not get distracted. Studying should be in designated chunks of time. For example: I would study for about 2-3 hours a night. After 3 hours I was burnt out and knew I couldn't study for this test anymore so anymore time spent was a waste of time. During these 3hours I took 2-10min. breaks. I used the bathroom and maybe made a quick phone call in order to get my mind off of studying. Breaks are a crucial part of studying.

    This is how I studied for these tests: I took my notes and read over 1 page at a time. After each page I rewrote my notes to make a condensed version This technique helped me pick out the important stuff that I wanted to remember and leave out the extra stuff that wasn't crucial to know. Once again handwriting my notes helped the information stick with me!! This is the approach I used for all the tests and it worked so well! Studying in groups is great if done effectively. I recommend studying the material on your own FIRST. Then go to your group studying session. Here you can ask any questions you have or clear up any confusion. Secondly, since you already have a good handle on the information, you can help "teach" your peers the information if they aren't understanding something. Teaching someone else the material helps you gain a better understanding of the material too!
I hope these tips and strategies help you to be successful in class!

Katie Marie Daniels

Clemson University

So you’d like to study.

Would you really like to study? That’s Lesson #1: engage the material at hand. Presumably at this point you’ve hit on something you like. Now run with it. It seems obvious to say, but beginning a study session anew, each day, is often the most difficult part. An appropriate Latino word for the energy one brings to the table in any given situation is ganas. Without ganas, without that drive, good results are impossible.

Lesson #2. Shoot for a quiet setting. People differ in terms of their preferred study spaces. Some like music; others like the white noise of busy cafes. In truth, whatever best conduces to the maintenance of sustained attention should be sought. I find a quiet corner of the library optimal in terms of productivity. Build yourself a fort in the back of the book stacks where people seldom walk. Make yourself comfortable. Pull up chairs, desks; put your feet up. Bring coffee, tea, plenty of healthy food. Look at the books around you for inspiration. And then begin working on your own classic tome!

Lesson #3. Learn to be a hermit. The best scholars really seem to have a sort of hermit on/off switch. Everyone knows that family and friends come first. People are what make life worth living. But when you decide to study, you should study—and nothing else! Turn your phone off. Leave the iPod behind. The amazing folks in your life will still be there when you emerge like a crazed recluse, exhausted and edified after seven hours of intensive study. And no doubt, after seven hours of intensive study, you’ll love all the people in your life more than before!

Lesson #4. Adopt a stress-reduction technique. Studies have demonstrated that, while a reasonable amount of stress enhances productivity, stress in excess greatly diminishes one’s capacity to function both physically and mentally. Study hard, but don’t let problems in your personal or professional life get the best of you. It happens to all of us sometimes—especially those of us driven to succeed at any cost. But you cannot succeed tied up in knots. Play sports. Practice yoga. Hike or rock climb. Dance. Get physical, and get plenty of fresh air. Success presupposes health.

Lesson #5. Practice concentrating. The more you concentrate, the more you can concentrate. The more you can concentrate, the better off you’ll be vis-à-vis your academic work. Meditation is helpful in this regard, so check out local WebPages if you think this is an avenue that might serve you.

Lesson #6. Enjoy yourself. Pick a course of study that you really dig. When you do something you love, you succeed automatically, effortlessly, as it were, because in this case, effort is easy. When activity is driven by passion, time in the conventional sense ceases to exist. You can do what you’re doing forever! And, objectively speaking, there is no ultimate goal, only a series of plateaus. As you continue forward, you’ll see that the plateaus are much less interesting than the process. Love of process is the supreme achievement, because the process continues no matter how many initials follow your name!

Keith David Sherman

Master of Arts in International Relations

Northern Arizona University

    It’s best to divide your work so that you’re not doing the same thing for hours and hours in a row. Split it up by subject so you don’t get bored by the monotony of one assignment; do an hour of work on each. There’s another way to keep yourself awake: physically move. Don’t work in one place all day. It’s likely that your college has dozens of ideal studying spots you’ve never even seen before, so explore a little. Start in your dorm room, then move around your building, the library, the campus—anywhere with seats. It gives you a considerable mental boost. I also advise sticking with one location for each subject, so that you get used to that kind of material in a certain spot. Subconsciously it’s supposed to be easier for your mind to program new information in a familiar environment. I just liked the routine of it. Common knowledge says that you should take breaks between blocks of work, and I don’t disagree, but it’s easy to get sidetracked and completely distracted from your goal. This is less of an inconvenience if you split up your subjects within one day of work, like I said. I suggest smaller, more stimulating breaks than letting your mind slip into TV mode—like getting something to eat or making a phone call. You can get a tremendous amount of work done in one day without any pain if you change material before it becomes overwhelming, give yourself short breaks between subjects, and move around to keep your interest up.

Scott E. Olmsted

Georgetown University

On studying:

Studying is without a doubt a skill that needs to be mastered in order to be successful in your college career. Personally, I made it entirely through my high school career without ever having to actually break down and study. It seems like a miracle looking back at it. Because of this, I was quite unprepared when I came to college. I had to learn how to study in a hurry. As with any other learned skill, you have to practice in order to become proficient. Listed below are a few tips that I have personally used quite successfully:

1. Pick a study location and stick to it. - Your study location can't double as your playground either. The area you choose to do your studying should be quiet, secluded, and free from any major distractions. When you walk into your study area, you should be in a mindset to learn. Good examples are the library, a quiet coffee shop (NOT STARBUCKS), or even somewhere outside.

2. Study groups are NOT for everyone. - It may seem beneficial to study with others to gain perspective or to ease the "pain" of studying. Many people get too distracted by the presence of others and studying quickly goes down the drain. If you have a relatively short attention span, group studying might not be for you. This does not apply to everyone. Many people do quite well in group sessions and thrive on the personal interaction.

3. All-nighters are not always a good thing. - After the first exam in any class, you should have a pretty good idea of how thorough that professor is when it comes to exam material. Start studying a week and a half or two weeks before the exam. Start with small doses of two to three hours and build up to ten hour long days if you need to. Cramming the night before does nothing but make you extraordinarily tired before the exam. If you study all week, you shouldn't need much more than a refresher the night before the exam.

4. Break up the monotony of studying. - Take a 15 to 20 minute break every two hours or so to break up the monotony. Your brain will become less and less responsive if you stare at paper for hours on end. Do something refreshing. Take a bathroom break. Go for a walk. Get some coffee. Play a computer game for a few minutes. Do something that doesn't require your brain to be overly focused.

5. Redo your notes if needed. - Often times the notes you take in class may be sloppy, illogical, and incomprehensible. This may be due to poor note taking skills, professors that opt not to teach in any logical order, or even professors that talk so fast that you have to struggle just to write everything down. In any case, it may be beneficial to rewrite or retype your notes and put them in a clearer, more logical order. Color coding is another study aid that has come in handy many times. The material is always easier to learn if it is presented in a precise, logical form.

6. Ask questions. - You'll never be able to learn all the material if you don't understand it. Ask your friends, your neighbor, the professor, or even a TA. People that have been in or are in a similar position to you will often have helpful learning tricks that have helped them. Many people use mnemonics and other learning devices and are usually very willing to share them with you.

7. Reading textbooks is an art. - We've all been there. Stuck with our nose in a textbook, reading words that are meaningless. Reading textbooks takes practice as well. Learn to skim passages and glean important information. Sometimes, you can read a passage twice quickly faster than you can once slowly. Bolded and italicized words also help to fine tune your speed reading skills. If you have continued trouble with accelerated reading, look into taking a speed reading course. Many universities offer these courses on site.

These seven tips should be a start to forming better study habits. Always remember, "practice makes perfect."

Matt Sellers

Master of Animal Science

Texas Tech University

Studying:

1. Start Early
Probably the most important study tip I have discovered from my college experience is starting early. When I start early this allows me to work on the assignment for shorter periods of time, which is less frustrating. For example, in my choral literature class we were given very long and arduous take home tests at the midterm and at the end of the semester. My professor gave our class 2 weeks to complete the assignment so I would start the day I received the assignment and work at least an hour a day. Some days I was more productive than others, but I would work at least an hour. This helped me to complete the assignment early and also have time to work on other homework that may have required more time. This cuts back on stress and not making the deadline.

Also syllabuses are a great way to keep you ahead of the game and most professors give one out at the beginning of the semester. Try and get a jump start on your homework from the syllabus, this will keep you from feeling stressed. This will also free up time for more fun activities in the future. So start early and have fun later.

2. Study Groups
Study groups can be positive and negative. Sometimes groups play more than they work. However, try and find a group that can stay somewhat on task because you will learn more from studying with others. A variety of people bring a variety of ways to remember important facts or formulas. If you are a freshman it is also a way to meet new people who may have common interests. Also don't forget to look over the notes by yourself as well. You should dedicate a little bit of time to studying solo.

3. Library
The library can be a great place or a scary place. You must learn how to use it first. Colleges and Universities have some of the best libraries available to you. Get to know your subject librarian for papers. These men or women can help you find twice the sources that you on your own can find. As an undergrad student I never tapped this resource and I probably would have done better to have asked for help. Also remember that you can do library loans from other libraries from all over the country. however, get started early because these loans take time to process. We are lucky today to have the internet at our fingertips, utilize sources such as worldcat.com and even other university library search engines to research. Consider yourself lucky that you are not required to use only the old card catalog.

4. Notes
Learn how to take notes that best serve you. Ask other people to see their notes as well. This ties in with study groups. A neighbor may hear something or catch something you missed while writing your own notes. Also if you have to be absent make sure you find someone trust worthy to get notes from and be prompt with returning the notes.

5. Take a Break
Breaks are necessary and very important. Even if it is just a 5 minute break stop and let your brain recharge. Take a quick 20 minute nap, eat, exercise, or take a shower. These are all things that can get you ready for another study session. Also don't underestimate the importance of a good night's rest. You will perform better on your test when you are well rested. My junior year of college I made a B on a test when I should have made an A because I had no sleep the night before and fell asleep during a listening section of the Music History test. I was mortified and I didn't get the grade I could have. So make sure you take five.

Katherine Lea Anne Watson

Master of Arts in Choral Conducting

Mercer University

Preparation, and Studying Methods and Habits

1). Take clear, concise notes. You may have to abbreviate a lot because of a fast-speaking professor, but as long as you understand your notes that’s all that matters.
a. By the time you enter college, you may have developed a note-taking style; however, there’s always room for improvement.
b. You will need to learn to adjust your style according to the style of the professors and the way they present the material to the class.

2).Do not be afraid to ask questions of your professor and/or your peers during and outside a class session.

3) Do all work that is graded, and do as much of the suggested work as possible. While it may consume some of your free time, it will be well worth it, especially if you struggle in a specific area.

4) Always read what is assigned prior to the introduction of that material in class. This allows you to benefit yourself with interaction in class and come to class prepared with questions.
a. When I read material for the first time, I always put a star or asterisk next to trouble spots or areas that I do not understand.

5) Studying is entirely dependent on the personality and work habits of the individual, but your habits can be adjusted towards successful studying, too.
a. I only begin my actually studying for an exam 2 days prior to the date of the exam.
b. Find your “hot spot” for studying – the library, your bedroom, outside, whatever works best for you.
i. I have to be in my bedroom closed off from all possible distractions so that I can put my full concentration toward the material.
ii. Your “hot spot” should be an area that allows you to remain focused and motivated, and should be a place you will not be miserable in after studying there for an hour or more. Finding your “hot spot” may take several tries in different places, but trust me – it will be well worth your time.
c. I reread all textbook chapters/material. I take my time to understand everything that I read to my best ability.
d. I suggest studying with a classmate; you don’t need to interact directly while studying but you can be resources for one another. Many times your classmate will understand a specific area of the material much better and have a good way of explaining/demonstrating it to you, and vice versa with you providing assistance to that person.
e. Re-work any problems/calculations, in relation to the exam material that have been assignments so that you will have an answer. Be sure to re-work the problems/calculations until you understand the process fully and not just how to do that specific problem.
f. Re-read notes several times, but at least 3 or 4 times depending on the amount of notes you have for this exam.
i. Memorization: Re-read notes as many times as possible before you begin to read and be able to recognize when you are not taking the material in anymore. At that point, you are merely wasting your time and actually harming yourself because you may begin to mix-up material in your head since you will not be concentrating as well.

6) Be willing to dedicate time to your studies; do not allow yourself to get frustrated. If you begin to get frustrated, take a break from your studying and return in 15-30 minutes with a motivated, open-mind.

Samantha Lynn Farris

Frostburg State University

Seven Keys To Academic Success:

1. Read slowly and analytically - Make detailed notes to complement your readings while drawing references to other literature and synthesizing information.

2. The professor is your ally - Feel free to discuss the course with your professor and if you are having difficulties, those should be voiced early on so that you can get their assistance.

3. Time blocking - have a dedicated portion of time completely devoted to school work and allow yourself extra time for subject areas that are more challenging.

4. Knowledge is power - Always research more than what the paper or subject matter requires. Additional information can be quite useful for subsequent assignments, making the process easier the next time around. Also collaborate with classmates exchanging information and ideas.

5. Plan for the semester - If you have a syllabus and course outline, do advance reading and preparation for class. Note when assignments are due and coordinate with other course workload so that you are not overwhelmed.

6. Take a load off - In moderation, make sure you give yourself enough time for rest and relaxation where school work is not pressing. If your brain is overworked and overloaded it will be of no use to you anyway. Don't force yourself to do school work when you have a mental block, instead do something enjoyable then get back to it sometime later.

7. Positive energy - Have a positive outlook on the semester, the courses, school work and the professors. Negativity is self-defeating.

Jason A. Ellis Master of Arts in Public Administration University of Memphis

SEVEN STEPS for SCHOOL SUCCESS (plus a bonus tip)
From a lifelong student who is also a teacher.

1. STAY ORGANIZED. Why is this Number 1? Because without organization, everything else falls apart. Believe me, I’ve seen some near genius 7th graders who could not get an “A” in math because they couldn’t keep their things in order. Start by choosing a different color notebook for each class and then USE them. Have a place for your books and notes in your dorm. And make lists if you need them!

2. GO TO CLASS. Reading the book is just not the same as being in class. Professors usually make things more clear when they explain it their way. Don’t skip a class or you’ll find it easier to do so the next time.

3. TAKE NOTES IN CLASS. Writing something down helps to cement it in your memory. Plus, it will help you stay alert at your 8 o’clock class. Professors often mention something that will be on your exam but is not in your textbook. You’ll be much more likely to remember it on the exam if you write it down.

4. TAKE NOTES WHEN YOU READ. That way you can use your notes to review, rather than going back to find the important parts in the book. I think this is way better than highlighting your textbook (especially if you rent or borrow). Also, I knew of a student who made some extra cash by selling his meticulous reading notes. And taking such good notes benefited him on the exam.

5. HIGHLIGHT YOUR CLASS NOTES AND READING NOTES. With class notes, highlight and study them the same day you write them. Highlighting the most important parts of class/reading notes narrows down the important stuff even more. And these make for great last minute study guides for exams.

6. GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSOR. Introduce yourself. This will help you feel comfortable asking questions and contributing in class. This also helps the professor determine whether students are understanding the material. Most of your professors truly do want to see students succeed in their classes.

7. GET TO KNOW YOUR CLASSMATES. Classmates can be excellent resources. Form study groups with WORTHY classmates (as in, people who are serious about doing well). Cooperative group work is so valuable because it gives every person the chance to be the teacher and/or learner at various times.

Bonus tip: GET REST! Set aside time for sleep and relaxation. It will make you happier, healthier, smarter, more focused, and less stressed.

Carissa K. Goodlet Master of Educational Administration Youngstown State University

Study Techniques and Habits

• Choose the proper study environment.

• Make flash cards. Write the question on one side and the answer on the other. You’ll find that after one review, you’ve retained most of the information. Then, you can use your time more effectively by reviewing those topics that you haven’t yet mastered.

• Have a friend help by testing you with your cards.

• Keep your cards with you at all times. You never know when you’ll be waiting (in a doctor’s office, before class, or in a restaurant).

• Remember that even if you can think of an answer but can’t explain it, you need to keep studying!

• If there are study questions at the end of your chapters, use your time to answer them. There’s a good chance that at least one of your exam questions will come directly from your study questions in the text.

• Compare study notes with classmates or a study group. Others may be focusing on a topic that you haven’t thought to study and vice versa; getting input from others will help you to learn more effectively!

• Classmates can also help you to understand material that you can’t quite grasp in a way that instructors can not.

Jamie Tidwell Master of Health Administration The University of Memphis

For me the bottom line boils down to getting ahead.... and staying motivated.

Some of the issues I face are :
The very thin line between completing schoolwork and actually learning.
Balancing class, work, and a social life.
Keeping ahead in all of my classes without neglecting one.

My suggestions:

Firstly, at the beginning of the semester everyone is in lazy mode. Preparing for a class is vital to success for me. This is a perfect opportunity to read over the first few chapters of the text book, and get an organized system in place for the class. I cannot recall how many times an organized notebook or binder of past homework's has saved me come time to study for exams. I knew right where to look and where to find it. (It also helps if you take good notes, show up to class well rested and focused and sit where you will be distracted the least even if it means not sitting by your best friend)

Secondly, don't wait until the night before homework is due to work on an assignment. It's much more beneficial if you want to learn to go to office hours or have a friend explain a troublesome problem or concept to you in a non pressure situation rather than fifteen minutes before you have to hand in the assignment.

Thirdly, in order to really do well you have to be motivated. Set aside time for work, school, and friends and stick to that schedule. Schoolwork everyday isn't exciting but it pays off. Find what type of classes/profession interests you and follow that, don't make school a chore.
Most importantly learn, don't just complete. Completing an assignment for the grade or studying for the grade does you no good. If you make mistakes, look over them. Learn from them. Mistakes made on homework should never repeat on exams. Leaving a class confident in the material is much more important than a lucky A. The grade will come if you have truly been learning.

Just remember not to fall behind, stay motivated, and learn what you are being taught and I promise you will do well.

Jeffrey M. Otto Mechanical Engineering University of Michigan

    One of the biggest contributors to success in college is proper and efficient studying methods. Each person and class will have its own unique requirements, but some general rules are applicable in all situations. It is best to spread one's studying over a period of several days, not several hours. Leading up to the test, one should have test-related material designated for each day, with the final day being a full-scope review. Not only does this allow extra time for unanticipated difficulty in studying specific sections, but it also prevents last-minute cramming that often leaves a student stressed and lacking a depth of knowledge of the target material. A regular, steady diet is always better than a feast-and-famine routine when it comes to one's health. Studying is no different.

    Other study tips include getting a sufficient night's sleep before the exam. Pulling an all-nighter to study for an exam is rarely justified and can usually be avoided with proper planning. A good night's rest will ensure the brain is in its optimal state for recalling memorized information and for computational tasks. Also, one should take breaks at regular hourly intervals to prevent study-fatigue; a simple 10-minute stroll around the library can be enough to rejuvenate the brain for further studying. Lastly, study groups can be particularly helpful in collaborating several points-of-view about a single subject.

Jeffrey Gibson Master of Science in Electrical Engineering University of West Florida