College Study Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Here are some benefits to studying for your college classes the right way: more leisure time, less stress, less pressure from your parents, less debt, better grades, and better career opportunities. Sound worthwhile? That doesn't mean there isn't work involved, but it's how you accomplish the work that matters. You can either work smarter, or keep spinning your wheels while barely hanging on to passing grades. Follow these tips to make the most of your time and mental resources:

Establish Successful Habits. Here's a simple formula: Successful habits lead to success and unsuccessful habits lead to failure. Commit to studying by establishing a set time and place. Eliminate distractions, turn off your cell phone and for that time period dedicate 100 percent of your energy to learning.

Get Roommate Cooperation: Discuss with your roommate the best times for you to study. Make that time off-limits to guests and loud distractions.

Prepare. Read the topic chapters before the lecture. (If you haven't purchased the book yet, now is the time to do it!) This will get you familiar with the material and give you an indication of what the professor thinks is most important by what is stressed in the lecture.

Take Notes. As you read, write notes on what you think are the important points. Then, during the lecture, use a highlighter to mark your reading notes when the professor touches on the same points. Take new notes on material that is not in your book or that you did not already write down.

Study More Often for Less Time. Cram sessions are the least effective way to learn and retain information. It may sound cool to pull an all-nighter, but actually, you're wasting your time as it prevents your brain and body from functioning at peak levels. Break up your study sessions into 45-minute blocks with a 10-15 minute break in between. Grab something to eat, stretch, or go for a walk. This gives your brain a chance to absorb the material. Of course this requires that you plan ahead instead of waiting to crack open your book the night before!

Study in Groups. Studying with other people helps to reinforce the material by discussing, clarifying, and repeating it in your own words. In addition, it also forces you to commit to a time and place to study since other people are counting on you.

Relate it to Real Life. It's much easier to digest and remember information in the context of a story or personal example than memorizing a bunch of unrelated facts. Whenever you can, relate the material to real life. Find examples in your personal experiences, music, books, current news stories, business, pop culture, or case studies. Need help? Ask your professor!

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor and author of the college survival guide, "My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell" (Adams Media). She offers more college survival tips on her Web site, http://www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com

---

Making the Most of Your Summer

At last, summer is here! After a school year full... Read More

Saving For College ? Your Number Two Priority

In today's highly competitive college admissions process, families must never... Read More

Write Your Way Into University ? The Personal Statement

The Get Into Uni personal statement writing guide contains systematic... Read More

Online Degree Education - Advantages

Distance education has been getting a lot of attention lately,... Read More

College Study Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Here are some benefits to studying for your college classes... Read More

The Family University Network: Unplugging Institutional Higher Education

Why not build a Christian family enterprise with the energy,... Read More

Free Money For College

What if someone came up to you and offered you... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More

Education - Let The Learning Begin!

You've probably heard it since you were little, 'get a... Read More

Online Education and Digital Divide

Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US... Read More

Creating the Acceptable College Applicant

America's colleges and universities no longer have enough room to... Read More

Online Education: 57 Leading Institutions

Getting a college degree today is easier than ever before... Read More

5 Leading Online Schools

The internet has revolutionized many parts of our economy. You... Read More

Life-Long Students Make More Money

You may not miss eating Ramen noodles everyday, but you... Read More

Study More Effectively

If you are studying for an exam or if you... Read More

Get Your College Degree Online

Have you long wanted or needed to increase your level... Read More

Do Best Friends Make the Best College Roommates?

Do best friends make the best college roommates? Not always!... Read More

Limperts Academy of Design Opens Interior Design Education / US and Canada

You may be bursting at the seams with natural talent,... Read More

CRI Releases Its 2003-2004 College Graduate Survey

Upper Saddle River, N.J. - May 2004 - Compensation Resources,... Read More

What Makes A Penn State Online Degree Preferable To Other Online Degrees?

A Penn State online degree is a college degree from... Read More

Surviving School

Well, I finally finished my 1st semester of college and... Read More

How to eMail Your Professor

So its 12:30 Pm and there you are at the... Read More

Outstanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 2

Stratford Douglas enrolled at the University of North Carolina in... Read More

How to Find Money for College Education

Many current and future college students need help to pay... Read More

Why You Should Choose an Accredited Online Degree

An accredited online degree is a college degree that is... Read More