How to study for college level classes.

College classes are inevitably harder than high school classes, and learning how to study efficiently is essential for success. Whether you figured it out in high school, or have never studied for a test in your life, these tips should help you improve you studying skills and habits.

1. Pay attention in class.

Even if you claim you go to class, it doesn’t mean anything unless you are actively paying attention. Put your phone and laptop away, take out a notebook and pen and take old fashioned notes.

2. Take good, handwritten notes.

For notes, I use a composition book. They’re cheap and they don’t fall apart (as long as you don’t rip the pages out). Whenever I have a lot of time, I try to copy the PowerPoint notes before class on the right side of the book. Then, during class, I write explanation and what the professor says on the left side of the book.

3. Read the textbook.

This isn’t necessary for ever class, but if your professor tells you to read the textbook, do it. Even if your professor doesn’t recommend it, the textbook is super handy when you need a concept explained in super simple terms.

4. Plan ahead.

There will be times when you have four papers due, 3 test next week, and the best football game of the season is on Saturday night. If you don’t want to miss out on the college experience, you need to plan ahead. I do this from the first week of the semester by writing down tests and due date for every class in a planner that sits on my desk. I constantly look forward to the next few pages and when I know I’m going to have a busy week, I start studying early (this also really helps with stress).

5.Actually study.

This sounds weird, but I promise there is a difference between understanding the material and staring at your notes for 5 hours. For any math based class practice the problems over and over again. Then go back and find your mistakes. For anything History or Humanities related, I make notecards and go through them until I can recall every term.

Learning to study in college is a trial and error process. It took me a whole semester to figure out my method and I’m still tweaking it slightly. Everyone has a different way of learning but hopefully these tips help you study or develop your own personal study technique.

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