A Snapshot to Success, Tips For Studying

1. Buy a Planner/Organizer. Purchase a planner to help organize your weekly assignments, classes, work, and extra curricular commitments. This is the best investment to ensure success. Using a planner will enable you to map out your day-to-day activities and study blocks. Planners/organizers are generally inexpensive, consider using Google Calendar or if you’re like me, use the old school method of writing everything down in a physical agenda and cross things off as you accomplish a task.

2. Start Early. Be sure to to pre-read your lectures or chapters ahead of time. Before you go to class you should print out the handouts and look over what topics will be covered.  Then in class, follow along and take notes right on your handout during lecture. 

3. Review Your Notes. Skim through your notes on the topics covered within 3 hours after your class ends and before going to bed. Try to review your notes between work, classes, and your extra curricular activities. Reviewing your notes often will help you retain and digest large amounts of information. 

4. Draw Connections and Tie Concepts Together.  After the lecture, when you study, make yourself explain in your own words the concepts and the details.  Your style may include drawing pictures and diagrams that give you the big picture filled in with details, and perhaps writing out the details. Or your style may include talking to a study partner or friend or to yourself or the wall. If you need to create a story or a song to help you break down complex concepts, then do so! Don’t be afraid to try something unconventional, whatever it takes to “master” the material, go for it!

5. Utilize Your Resources. When I was an undergraduate at a large institution, I was afraid to approach professors and I felt inferior to my peers because I was afraid that I would sound silly asking basic questions on simple concepts. However, asking questions actually means that your brain is working hard to grow and make connections. Never stunt that growth! If you have you any questions do not be afraid to pull your professor aside and ask them to clarify or ask a TA. Furthermore, ask your friends and classmates by creating a study group. I think the best study groups consist of individuals who compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses, teaching someone else content helps reinforce the material. The earlier you seek help, the sooner you will be able to grasp the material.

6. Take Breaks. Make sure that you are studying effectively and efficiently. Taking study breaks yields better results. Designate a 5-10 minute break for every hour that you study, and create 2-3 hour study blocks. After a large study block, take a 30-45 min break and do something that involves moving such as jumping jacks, go for a light jog, or do some type of mindless task. Taking breaks helps in retention and it will help build stamina for extended study sessions.

7. Attitude and Sleep. Motivate yourself with a good attitude toward learning these fascinating disciplines knowing that your courses will help you with your career objectives.  Avoid cramming and avoid procrastination. Practice good sleep hygiene to help memory storage and recall.

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Lauren Kanzaki

I LOVE it!! Just as you said, the key to success is all in organization, planning, and commitment. Thanks for sharing your own tips for success, Milan. What a helpful post for those of us starting a new academic year!

7 years ago

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Milan Sheth

Thanks, Lauren! I hope these tips will be helpful for students returning to classes this month.

7 years ago

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Aishat Motolani

Thanks for sharing, Milan! Reviewing notes before classes definitely helps with impromptu quizzes.

7 years ago

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Milan Sheth

Thanks, Aishat!

7 years ago

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Auburn Skakle

Great advice, Milan! There’s something about being physically able to cross items/tasks out. While, I currently use my phone for all my calendar needs, I miss seeing my whole week/month laid out in a tangible planner. As for reviewing notes, some of the best advice I got was to run through what was covered in lecture in my head immediately following class, either while walking to my next class or back to my apartment. While this doesn’t seem like much, this 5-10 minutes of review really helps reinforce the concepts and enhances your memory for it later!

7 years ago

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Milan Sheth

Thanks, Auburn! I definitely like the idea of reviewing notes as often as possible. I try to condense my notes and create an outline or condense them into 1-2 pages per ppt so they become portable. I recall that Lauren suggested this in her blog post, but reviewing every day eases the stress of cramming and it helps you retain the information for long term storage.

7 years ago