1. Do all assigned reading - This is beneficial for many reasons but basically, it’s because it gives you a basic knowledge of what’s discussed in lecture. However, although reading alone is very helpful, I suggest taking notes or using whatever other methods you can that aid you in your learning. For example; taking notes, writing in margins, reading farther into what you don’t understand from other sources, writing down questions you have, and once you’re done summarize everything you read in your own words.
2. Prioritizing assignments based on the long-term effect it will have on your grade. For example, if you are assigned two papers to write, with one being crucial to your overall grade in the class VS one that wouldn’t have much of an effect, you need to decide which one is more important. Obviously, the first one is the best choice. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t even bother to do the second one, all it means is that it won’t be your best work. When the next essay is assigned in that class, just promise to do better. Ask yourself; Which one would have a larger effect on my grade if I were to fail it? Whichever one that is, that’s the one you should give the majority of your attention.
3. Record the lecture on your phone. Check with your professor before you do this. If they don’t want you to record, then just don’t do it. However, if they don’t mind, this can be a very useful tool. Anytime your professor says something that you believe could be helpful for you in the future, (while studying for your exam, doing homework, etc.) mark the time at which they said it on your notes. After class, go back through and take thorough notes on whatever it is they said. This is especially useful for when professors go off on tangents of important info and it’s hard for you to get it all down on your notes.
*Also, if you have a commute to work like I do, then what I find very helpful is to listen to the lecture recording on the drive.*
3. Take sloppy notes in class, touch them up afterwards. While in class, scribble all important information down. Don’t worry about making it pretty. Afterwards, go through and organize them into clear, concise notes that give you an excellent summary of the lecture. By doing this, you’re focusing more on the professor rather than looking down at your notebook.
4. Do all practice problems. This may sound like a no-brainer, but a lot of the time there are practice problems deemed optional by your professor. Because of this, many people decide not to do them. Seriously, just do them. Practice, especially when done right after class, really helps the information soak in.
5. Proofread essays with different font and size. When you reread the same Times New Roman 12 point font paper over and over, your mind become used to it, therefore skipping over little mistakes and typos. If you change the font as well as the size, your brain will stop skipping what previously looked familiar (ie; a typo that you’ve been skipping over the whole time)
6. Think of school as your job. If you aren’t a good employee, you’ll get fired. If you aren’t a good student, you’ll fail. In order to avoid getting fired, you make a good impression on the boss, work harder, etc. Apply that same concept with school; make a good impression on your professor, turn everything in on time, etc.
I am very excited for this upcoming school year to start. I have set many goals for myself and I hope you all do the same. Expect much more studying/educational posts for me as I’ll be using them to motivate myself and hopefully others. Good luck to all of you in your studies this year! ✨
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