Study Habits/Tips

For me, it is important that I schedule a set amount of time to study everyday and do homework. Because I am taking four classes, that means that I work for 4 hours every day outside of class. I like to break it up throughout my day and/or rotate which class I am working on frequently. I think this helps my mind stay sharp. If you study for really long stretches at a time you will burn out! Take breaks, stretch, go on a walk, eat a healthy snack, etc.

I take notes in class, and I like to use colored pens to highlight important information. I review my notes at the end of the day. At the end of a "unit," so say Ch. 1 and 2 or whatever you are working on for the week, I will use a plain piece of white computer paper and create a "study sheet." I like to use course objectives to ensure that I have studied all of the correct information and haven't missed anything. On this study sheet I may put formulas, examples of things I have difficulty remembering, definitions. I use a piece of computer paper because it is blank and you can really cram it full of stuff. When I create this, I attempt to do it from memory rather than copying directly from the book or my notes. This helps me in the learning process! Again, I use colored pens; colors I enjoy looking at and that pop out at me. This sheet will be reviewed at least weekly during the term. I do this because I have a hard time reviewing my class notes...the words tend to blend together and things get lost sometimes.

If there is a piece of information that is really not sticking, I put it on a flashcard and will quiz myself when I have time.

I like using tabs to make my chapters easy to access, and I always keep post-it notes handy for jotting down a quick memo to myself. Also important to note: I use my planner a lot! I have tried electronic ones but they aren't for me. It allows my to assign which days I will do which assignments, etc., so nothing falls under the radar and I can even usually get ahead in my classes this way.

I hope some of this is useful, I know it was a long comment!

It was very helpful, thanks! :)

When I study, I have a multi-step process. Before I get to lecture, I check the syllabus to see what we're going to be covering in that lecture. Then, I take my own notes from the book on that material. When I get to class, I go back to my notes and add the professor's remarks in and around mine with red pen (one professor gives us outlines for each chapter that we can use to take notes during lecture, which makes this part pretty easy). At this point, I'm reviewing the information that I've already read. Then within 24 hours of the lecture, I like to go back and make a 'nice' copy of my notes, in outline form in my notebook, to give me a more organized and easy to read version of what I have in my book/lecture notes. When exam time comes around, I study from the nice copy. This is where the bulk of my studying is done.

Not all of it though, I love flash cards. When something comes up that I need to remember (for Psych classes, this might be a name and a study, or a date, or just a name of someone memorable), I pull out a flash card and make one right away and keep them in a little box that is made for storing flash cards, ready to pull out whenever I have a minute to review. This helps me to cement these finer points into my memory. I ask a lot of questions too, and talk to other students. I think talking out loud about it makes it easier to remember, and using it in conversation helps even more than reciting it alone.

When I get stuck on something I resort to resources other than my professor and textbook. I bought the Barron's E-Z Anatomy and Physiology book when I took A&P I in the Fall. Reading the same information, phrased another way or explained by another author helps when I'm staring at something for a while without it "clicking."

For A&P, I also have the Anatomy and Physiology coloring book, and this was a big help for me.

When it's time to study, I pull out all of my notes and resources and review from my nicer sets of information. Hope this helps somebody.

It's hard to do, but if you can get in the habit of reading the chapter before the info is covered in class, it really helps you learn it. Plus you seem like a smarty pants and your teacher will see you're a dedicated student and be more likely to help you.

As an older student I thought flashcards would be old fashioned, but all the top students in my Micro and A&P classes used them. They really helped me.

If you have a class that uses online quizes or practice tests, print our the correct answers and use these to study. Chances are the same questions will come up on the test.

And do EVERY extra credit assignment offered. The points add up and, again, show your teacher that you're dedicted so they'll be more willing to help you or bump your grade up if it's borderline.

Thank you everyone who posted! I'm just starting my prerequisites at 41 and an eight year hiatus from college learning. All of your habits/routines were very helpful.