When it comes to studying in college, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of material you have to cover. Luckily, there are several ways to make the process easier.
To actually study in college you to intentional about setting clear academic goals and crafting a strategies to achieve them.
This post focuses on how to study effectively in college. The post will spotlight the following areas:
- Planning ahead
- Scheduling study time
- Asking for help
- Engaging your brain
- Physical activity
- Taking mental breaks
- Controlling distractions
Plan ahead, engage your brain, and ask for help. Using these strategies will help you become a better student. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to being successful.
Contents
Plan Ahead
It is important to plan ahead to study in college. The costs associated with attending college can be prohibitive, and it can be very difficult to find financial aid if you don’t plan ahead.
Not only does tuition cost a fortune, but other expenses, including meal plans, books, extracurricular activities, study abroad programs, and even car insurance, can quickly add up.
Fortunately, financial aid is available in many forms, and students should look into scholarships and grants. You should also consider saving money in other ways, like living off campus.
When you plan ahead, you will have more time to study and focus on your classes. You should schedule two hours of study time for every hour of class.
Although this is a standard recommendation, you may need more or less time depending on your schedule and your course load. So, make sure to budget in five to ten hours per week for studying, and adjust your other activities accordingly.
The key to effective planning is time management. You should schedule at least two hours of study outside of class. To do this, you can use your planner to set aside specific hours every day.
Schedule enough time in your planner to study and socialize if necessary. It is also helpful to plan ahead for social events and exercise three days a week.
Schedule Study Time
When it comes to studying, scheduling time for homework and studying is extremely important. You can schedule blocks of time to study every day or every week. The important thing is to make sure you allocate time for studying for every class.
When scheduling time for homework, consider what time of day you are most productive. For instance, if you tend to study more in the morning, schedule your study time for before class begins. If you’re a night owl, schedule your study time after class.
In addition, try to schedule classes so that they are not back-to-back. This will allow you to get extra reading in or do some revision in between classes.
Additionally, you can move your lunch or workout time around to create larger free blocks of time. Try to think about these options with every block of time.
You should also schedule study time for each subject in the week. For example, if you are studying math, it is best to schedule your study time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
English classes, on the other hand, can be scheduled on Fridays. When deciding which study sessions you’ll use, remember to keep a calendar with all available study times.
To manage the workload, create a weekly schedule. A weekly schedule will help you stay on top of assignments and deadlines. You can also use both weekly and monthly schedules. Once you’ve decided on the schedule, make sure you’re sticking to it.
Ask For Help
When you are having trouble with a particular topic in college, it’s okay to ask for help. Most campuses have academic support offices, counseling centers, research libraries, peer tutors, and career services.
Asking for help is a great way to be proactive about your learning and achieve success. Remember that no question is too silly or too hard to answer.
College professors and staff want to see you succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. They are trained to help students who are having trouble with academics.
If you are unsure how to proceed with a task, your professor can walk you through it step by step. Moreover, college counselors are confidential, so you’re in good hands.
Many students shy away from asking for extra help or postpone asking for it. They feel that they’ll look weak or unprepared. Asking for help does not make you a less dedicated student, but it does show your professor that you are trying to get help.
Moreover, professors will know that you are attending class and turning in your assignments on time.
Regardless of your level, it’s OK to ask for help if you need it. You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to help you out. In fact, it’s better to ask for help before you have any problems, because it will help you grow as a person.
Engage Your Brain
Engaging your brain in new activities is an excellent way to improve your mental performance. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, including taking classes that teach new skills or practicing a new hobby.
In addition, scheduling practice time and establishing a commitment to your new hobby will help you maximize your learning time. Here are three guidelines to follow when engaging your brain in new activities:
Memory is one of the most important aspects of learning, as it allows you to process and store information effectively. By practicing mind exercises, you can improve your memory and increase the speed at which you store and recall information.
It’s vital for students to be able to store and retrieve information in order to be successful, and a sharp memory can make all the difference in your academic performance.
Physical Activity is Essential
Physical activity is also a good way to engage your brain. This activity can help increase the levels of dopamine in the brain and boost blood flow and oxygen supply.
Additionally, it can allow you to de-stress, while refocusing on something else. It can also increase your mood and improve your attention levels.
Take Mental Breaks
Studies show that taking regular mental breaks while studying in college helps students stay alert and focused.
A study from the Ohio State University found that students who were experiencing burnout had higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. They also tended to be more withdrawn, which impacted their social lives.
Taking mental breaks during studies is not only good for your mental health, but it also boosts your productivity. In fact, it increases executive function, which helps you stay alert and motivated.
In addition, a simple change of location can be calming, which can combat feelings of boredom. Breaking up work into small tasks also builds up a sense of accomplishment.
In addition to taking mental breaks, you can also take advantage of other strategies. For example, you can take a break from studying by switching your tasks.
For example, you may switch from biology to literature class, or from writing a paper to a chore like laundry or dishes. However, this strategy can only help you for a short period of time.
Taking breaks is important to reduce stress levels and boost your chances of success. You should plan your study time to include these breaks in your schedule.
Control Distractions
Controlling distractions when studying in college is a vital aspect of college success. Distractions come in many forms, and they can steal precious minutes and hours of study time. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to manage these distractions and maximize your time spent studying.
First, put your cell phone on silent mode or turn off the notifications. You should also limit the amount of tabs open on your computer to just one. In addition, you can block or hide time-wasting websites and apps.
Secondly, set a time to study. You may want to set a specific time to study for a big exam, such as a biology exam. For example, you might decide to study for two hours of biology on Monday night, and leave English study until Tuesday. You can also post your schedule where you can easily see it.
Finally, identify the causes of distracting behaviors. The main causes of distraction are external and self-produced. A student’s environment and social situations can lead to distraction.
This is why it is essential to find ways to control distractions. This will make studying easier and less time-consuming. The best way to do that is by limiting your exposure to outside distractions.
Third-party applications and browser extensions can help you control distractions. StayFocused is a great example of a third-party application that blocks distracting websites.
Similarly, Google Chrome’s Block Site feature can help you avoid browsing websites that are not conducive to your study. These solutions work by blocking access to social media channels and other distracting websites.