Study smarter, not harder! That is the magic mantra for students of all ages. But how do successful college students excel in college? What are the studying strategies for college students?
The freedom and flexibility you get in an online college can divert your attention to many other exciting things. The good news is, keeping up with work, family, study, and coursework can be customized and made consistent.
You can formulate a plan for yourself using the seven smart study tips shown below. Both online and on-campus college students can utilize these study skills and habits.
Stay organized
Firstly, once you get your semester course details, create a college planner for yourself. Customize it to your study, work, and family needs. Create a daily, weekly, and monthly timetable. Since online classes are primarily asynchronous, prioritize accordingly.
You can use Google docs or your favorite application or even a physical table planner to note all lectures, assignment due dates, appointments, conventions, study-group hangouts, and meetings. Keep your organizer handy on your study table, mobile phone, or computer.
Once you have created a planner, stick to it. However, staying on course will be challenging. You can graduate on time and with flying colors with motivation and self-discipline.
Look for productivity applications that can help expedite processes, such as voice recorders, planners, or note-taking apps. Even a pocket notebook can go a long way in helping you stay organized and productive.
Pace yourself
Avoid last-minute studying for exams. While this is not an effective study habit, the stress it causes can be horrendous.
Instead, revise your lecture notes on the same day as the lecture and again a few days later. Enrich your notes with quick reading materials and simple research. Study a small amount of information every day for about 20 minutes. Doing this will increase your comprehension level and remember more during exams.
Create a routine
Figure out a simple routine for study, work, play, and family. Find a few days in a week that are most suitable to review lectures and notes and other days for sports and socializing.
Prioritize studying and insist on it in your daily and weekly routine.
Teach a friend
Explaining what you have learned in your own words lets you better grasp what you have studied. See how fluent you are in elaborating and giving examples. Be open to being questioned. This challenge will allow you to think and understand the subject at a deeper level.
You can even take an extra step ahead by creating PowerPoint slides or a mind map to summarize what you know and what needs more work.
Remove distractions
Multitasking does not work for most people. Reading and replying to messages, surfing the internet, hanging out on social media are distractions you should avoid to stay focused. By now, you would already know that social media tends to change your mood drastically.
Muting your phone, turning-off notification, and not ‘liking’ social media posts unnecessarily are ways to avoid distractions. Leaving toxic social groups also brings calm and peace to your life.
Listen well
Brush up your listening skills when your professor talks. Pay close attention to what your professor says is “important.” Your professors have the best intentions to see you pass your exams and not waste time on less essential topics.
See how much time your professor spends on a topic and review the issue until you can fully understand the concepts and apply the principles.
Reward yourself
Being busy with studies and work can be mentally and physically draining. So, treat yourself to a decent break. A stroll in the park, coffee from your favorite barista, a short nap, or some Netflix time will help you relax.
Remember, taking regular breaks prevents burnout and increases productivity. Therefore, avert stress at all costs.
After doing all the work, believe that you have put in your best effort to study the course. This simple step will restore the motivation on which you started the program in the first place.
By developing simple study strategies, you can ace college like a champ.
