Study tips to succeed semester

It’s never too late to set up a schedule, prepare for classes and find what works for you. Here are some study tips to help you succeed this semester.

Get organized

Get a head start before classes begin this week and set up some healthy habits to help you succeed. First, use a calendar or planner to add important dates from your syllabuses. This includes exam dates, project or paper deadlines, presentations, etc. Regularly look ahead at your next few weeks to see what is coming up and which things should take priority.

Next, take note of big papers, projects or tests coming up and break them into smaller tasks to work on throughout the semester. This will help you make progress on assignments that aren’t due for a while and avoid last minute stress.

As we move further into the semester, consider different ways to organize your notes. You could try turning your lecture notes into an outline, chart or diagram. Not only does this help you with organization, but it also helps you gain clarity about what you know and what you may need to review for exams later in the semester. 

Avoid procrastination

Getting distracted happens to the best of us, but learning how to manage your time can make the difference in your academic success. Schedule consistent blocks of time every day to study or review class material. It may feel like there’s plenty of time before your first exam, but studying regularly can help you stay familiar with the material you are learning. A basic rule of thumb is to try and study for two to three hours for each hour you are in class (so for a lecture that meets three hours a week, plan to study six to nine hours a week for that class). You can also try other tips to help you study.

Also, consider ways to cut out distractions during your study sessions. As much as you want to reply to that text message or give a heart to the lovely puppy picture on Instagram, wait until you take a break. Distractions can make it difficult to focus on the task at hand. Turn off notifications when you are in class or studying, put your phone on airplane mode and block websites that aren’t helpful so you can focus.  

Find what works for you

When it comes to study environments, try a few things out this week to see what works best for you. Do you prefer to study alone or with friends? Do you need complete silence or some background noise to help you concentrate? Here are some other study techniques to try.

• Color code your notes. It might sound silly, but the power of a red pen and a highlighter can go a long way. Go through your notes after class and highlight any important themes or topics your professor voiced as being important. Use different colored pens for definitions, vocabulary and other important themes.
• Try flashcards for memorization. This can be especially helpful if you are in a language course or need to memorize dates. Write down keywords, themes and definitions for subjects you need to remember. For vocabulary, write the word on one side of the flashcard and its definition or translation on the other and the same for dates. You can use these flashcards later to study for exams.
• Try the Pomodoro technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes. During those 25 minutes, concentrate on a task. When the timer is up, set a 5 minute timer for a short break. You can go for a walk, get a snack or stretch. After your break, repeat. Choose any combination of focus time and break time that works for you.

Ask for help

One of the best ways you can ensure you’ll do well in your courses is by utilizing the resources and support available to you. You don’t have to wait until your first exam or project is due to ask for help. 

If you feel stuck on a problem or a concept discussed in class, visit your professor’s (virtual) office hours or a help lab to get clarity. The sooner you ask for help, the less likely you are to fall behind. You could also consider joining or creating a study group with your classmates. 

Make an appointment with tutoring services, use virtual academic resources or connect with the Writing Center to get feedback on your writing. You can use Turnitin through Canvas to check for plagiarism and appropriate referencing for your final papers.