Top Three Tips for Successful Study Sessions
Back to school means that college students everywhere have that hopeful feeling that they will stay on top of their work, have the ability to manage their time and the will power to say no to the powerful pull of distraction. If you are one of these students or maybe someone trying to figure out how to help one of these students, worry not. There are three main strategies that I give students time and time again that make a big time difference in their ability to crush their academic goals.
Your study sessions need to be on your calendar. Go to your planning tool. Don’t have one? Get one. If you don’t get distracted by other apps, use a digital calendar. Otherwise, go grab yourself a basic, easy to read planner that breaks your day into 15 minute sections.
The truth is, if your plans include statements like, “I’ll study a few hours this week” or “I plan to study after dinner”, you will fall prey to the siren song of distractions - Netflix, texts, social media, naps. Why? Because there will always be later. If we don’t have something rigid on our schedule, excuses will eek their way into our lives. Just make a commitment now to plan a weeks worth of study sessions. You can always adjust if you have too much or too little time. Bonus points if you hide your phone during the session.
Know WHY you are studying. This seems obvious but so often we employ the same strategy for studying in every class. But there are different expectations in every class and every assignment, for that example. When you read a text for Biology, for example, are you reading it because you are taking a test on the chapter? Is it multiple choice or will you have to write in definitions? Now, would you approach that chapter like you would a novel for English Literature? Before you even crack a spine, make sure you know what you are preparing for and have a strategy based on that. It will save you a lot of time and keep you focused during your sessions.
Not sure how to figure out what the expectations are? First, read the syllabus and anything else the instructor has provided about the course. What are the objectives of the course and how will they be measured? If you still aren’t sure, bring your concerns to office hours. Having this type of question is a great way to get to know your instructor and their style of teaching. Bonus: they also get to know you!
Break down your session into timed segments, including breaks. Once you have your study session on your calendar and know exactly why you are studying, have a strategy using micro lists of to-do items. For example, if you are studying for a multiple choice text that will cover three chapters, your study session might look like this:
Take note of the chapter lengths and estimate a time to complete. Set a timer for 35-40 minutes (knowing you will likely need several of these blocks of time).
Go to the end of the chapter and read the questions that test your knowledge. This helps your brain more easily search for the key points as you are reading.
Use a note taking method that allows you a space to write conclusions, mnemonic devices and key terms. Use multiple pens of different colors to help you differentiate these things.
If the timer goes off, stop and take a break. Stand up, stretch, get a snack but return to work after 5-10 minutes. Set a timer for yourself, if you tend to lose track of time.
After you finish taking notes and reading, write 5-10 of your own test questions. If you can, share these with a classmate and ask if they can write 5-10 for you to answer.
When you have a specific strategy, dense texts and new material become manageable and you can even measure the success of your sessions with a set of questions that might come up in class.
College brings a new level of expectation around academics. There are fewer check-ins, re-dos or chances for extra credit. Starting any class off with a strong study routine will make for less stress when midterms and finals roll around.
Stay curious!
P.S. Wondering if you are on the right path? Check out the “Should I Change Major?” guide to ensure you are in the right major for the right reasons.
