Finding Your Study Stride

Develop a study schedule

Kick your semester off right by creating a short- and long-term study schedule.  A plan such as this can help you stay on task with your class work, ensuring you have time for both studying and other important aspects of college life like participating in extracurricular activities and developing friendships on campus.

At the beginning of a course, most professors provide a class syllabus noting when assignments, tests and papers are due, which will help you plan a long-term study schedule. Mapping out a study strategy for the semester that carves out time every day to study will help ensure that you don’t leave everything until the last minute.

Find the right environment

Hitting the books in an environment conducive to studying is just as important as carving out time in your day to study. If your study environment includes a dorm room full of friends, a television and pizza, you probably aren’t concentrating enough on your course material. Find a library, quiet coffee shop or study room in your dorm that provides the environment you need.

Get the most out of your textbooks

College textbooks are an incredible resource for understanding and learning course information outside of the classroom.  At times, you may have classes that meet only a few times a week. It is up to you to stay abreast of course material during the downtime.

Your textbooks and course materials are second only to your instructors in contributing to academic success. Studies show that students who use their textbooks, along with supplemental materials, perform better and get higher grades.  For instance, 90 percent of instructors agree that their less-prepared students would fare better in introductory courses if they spent more time reading the textbook.

One way to get the most out of your textbook is to preview your reading assignments to help you focus on the reading material. This includes scanning the chapter titles, headlines, subheads and other prominent information to get an idea beforehand what material you should be learning. Taking notes in the margins of your textbooks will also help you remember key concepts and serve as a quick reference guide for future studying.

Take breaks

Give your mind a rest by budgeting breaks into your study schedule. Use this time to think about things other than the subjects you are studying. Sometimes your brain needs a break so that it can be as effective as possible when you do crack open a book.

Engage your professors and teaching assistants

As with all aspects of a college career, you’ll find more independent action is required to be successful than in high school.  Don’t be afraid to utilize your professors and teaching assistants as a resource for learning outside of class. They are there to help you succeed and have office hours and study sessions for a reason. The bottom line: Don’t be scared to ask a question.

Supplement with group study sessions

Buddy up!  Adding group study sessions to your individual studying schedule can help reinforce the ideas and materials you are learning in class. Talking through concepts, quizzing each other and engaging in challenging interactive discussions can help bring course concepts to life in a way that individual studying cannot.

But, be warned: Make sure that the group is a boon rather than a drain on your studying. Avoid socializing during the study time, select your study mates wisely and come to the group armed with a plan of what needs to be discussed.

Know your learning style

Every student has a different learning style. What works for you, may not work for your roommate, classmate or lab partner. Luckily, today’s modern course materials aren’t just textbooks anymore, but complete learning systems that enable you to choose the study method that works best for you. In fact, a Zogby International study found that 86 percent of instructors require or recommend supplemental materials in addition to the textbook to better ensure student success. Sixty-five percent also agree that these supplemental materials save students time by helping them learn the course material more efficiently.

From online tutoring centers to digital practice problems, new technology is giving you study options that your parents didn’t have at their disposal. Visual learners can watch 3-D graphic simulations and animated videos on class concepts. Auditory learners can watch a video lecture, download a lecture to their iPods or visit an online study center to hear step-by step instructions on solving a problem.  There is something for everyone. The important thing is to jump in feet first, try out different course tools and find the ones that work best for you.