Study Tips

I read my science textbooks everyday, not just the day before the class. And every time I have a question about the material I ask the professors or write them emails. I have 4.0 so far. Good luck!

Katie

Set aside time each day to study, you cannot cram the hard science courses. Attend class, sit in the front, pay attention, ask for help when you need it.

Make your own flashcards, tape lectures if that helps, write the info over and over, use the CD that comes with the book along with the quizzes and tests at the end of chapters. So far this has worked for me.

Don't fall behind in any of your reading. Good luck.

Hello,

I am starting school soon and was wondering if anyone has any good study tips. Any secrets to getting A's? It has been a while since I've been in school. Thanks in advance for any help.

My problem is that I get distracted very easily while studying (birds, clock ticking, dog, cat, cars etc...); not to mention housework sitting on the back of my brain telling me to get up and clean :rotfl:

What I have found that helps me is:

Study for about 15 minutes, then load the washer. Come back study for another 15 minutes, and go sweep the living room etc....

I know it sounds crazy, but trust me it helps.

Jessica

Has anyone tried using a kitchen timer? I heard that it is very helpful, haven't tried it.

I love those breaks, I actually LIKE doing the dishes now, anything but studying :)

Hello,

I am starting school soon and was wondering if anyone has any good study tips. Any secrets to getting A's? It has been a while since I've been in school. Thanks in advance for any help.

GO TO CLASS!!!! I've been in college two years and all the classes that I went to EVERY class for I got an A or a really good B. All the classes that I skipped a lot I got C's or low B's. Even if you think he is reading from the book and it is not worth going, GO!!! Him lecturing is just another reinforcer.

Also FLASHCARDS, FLASHCARDS, FLASHCARDS. At the beginning of each semester I buy three packs of cards and I usually use them all by the end of the semester.

Read the book! And while your reading write down notes. Write down a lot! You never know what minute detail the professor might pull out of the text.

Also I've realized a great resource that many other college students fail to do, read the introduction/preface of the textbook. The authors offer study tips, how to read the book in the most efficient manner, and offer up websites and other books that might help you with your studies. I have found the websites to be a GREAT resource. They offer practice quizzes, terms, animations, etc.

If you are visual (kinesthetic) learning like I am. Draw pictures, color, etc. Anatomy/Physiology and Microbiology have coloring books that you can buy online or at a large book store like Borders or Barnes and Noble.

-good luck

Here is one for those of you who have computers, and microsoft office. I make up power points. I actually make up test questions, and make two slides per question, one for the question, and one for the answer. This makes it alot like flash cards only a bit better. I even take digital pictures in lab, label them, and put them on the slides so that i can drill myself with them. This can be quite time consuming, but you are still learning while you are making them. You would be amazes by how much it helps.

All excellent advice. Mostly, you have to find what works for you. For some, taping lectures helps, for others, it doesn't. If you have the flexibility in your schedule, I've found that studying in groups can really help, provided you find other students who have the same dedication as you. You don't want to fall into the trap where you are doing all of the work and essentially "teaching" your study partners.

My feelings, most of them already stated, but what works for me:

1. GO TO CLASS -- There is no way to be prepared for a test unless you know what your instructor stresses in class, as well as any review that might be provided. You can't get that from a textbook.

2. Don't get behind -- One class that I was very afraid of was Microbiology. I scheduled my class and lab so that I had a bit of time in between. Each day after lecture, I studied THAT DAY's lecture notes, while it was still fresh. I also had time to prepare for any lab quizzes/exams for that day. The daily review cut down drastically on my study time when the time came for a test. I got an A in both lecture and lab (6 week class) and never felt at all overwhelmed.

3. Remember that memorization can get you through a class with a good grade, but if you're going to be a nurse you must retain what you learn. Find what works for you so that you'll feel really confident that you know the material, not just have it memorized for an exam.

Good Luck!

Richele

Thanks for all of the great tips. I survived my first week of school. I am taking biology and algebra. I have to say that I LOVE IT!

I have been taking tons of notes and reading chapters ahead. I have my first bio test on tues. The teacher provided us with a test study outline. I also have been reviewing notes daily. I have learned so much already! I am going through the outline, my notes, and text and making up possible test questions for myself. Then I will put them on flash cards. The good news is it is all multiple choice. I really want that A!!!

In algebra it is a little different. The first test is a week from tomorrow and we are not aloud to use a calculator for this one because they want to be sure we can change decimal to percent/fraction. I have the concepts down but when working through some problems I make stupid little errors. I am trying to be neat and take my time and check my work. I think the only way to learn math is to keep practicing. I'm really nervous about this one.

Well....better go study :)

Hello,

I am starting school soon and was wondering if anyone has any good study tips. Any secrets to getting A's? It has been a while since I've been in school. Thanks in advance for any help.

hey i am a student nurse also, last year i didnt pass i had a 79.3 and needed an 80 one of the most important things is keep your test grades above an 80 take notes make flash cards and sit at the front of the class. as far as this summer u could get a terminology book at the library. I am going back this year and i am going to pass with a hundred average, at first it got me down but now i have decided to go back and kick but.GOOD LUCK!!!

Hello,

I am starting school soon and was wondering if anyone has any good study tips. Any secrets to getting A's? It has been a while since I've been in school. Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi,

I have a 4.0... and I am a returning student (after a 20 year lapse). I go to school full time and work 55 hours a week. It has not been easy-but I am motivated-

Things that have helped me are:

Flash cards--- got to have em, I love em' especially the color coded. So easy to make and take with you and review in down time (instead of pulling out a 20 # anat book)

Websites- I didn't know about all of the wonderful tools available to me-right here on the internet---google it...(I just found this site-I luv it) this helped for lab experiments, etc... The models for studying.... oh my gosh... most of the web sites have self quizes..

I found great sites for studying the muscles and skeleton.

Read & Review-break it down -most of the stuff I needed to read 2x's... It's one thing to read-its another to understand what you are reading.. so make sure that if you get distracted easily- put yourself in an environment that will work for you-go.

Don't wait- study first and then "play"- this way you won't regret not "getting it out of the way"..

Don't hesitate to ask questions- especially if you don't understand -utilize your teachers- that is what they are there for--email em...

Priority- Put 1st things first. It is so easy to become overwhelmed when there is so much to get done & do. This was hard for me @ like worrying about a micro test on Friday -when I have an anat test tommorrow. So I had to remind myself to keep focused....

Take advantage of "wasted time"- I had an hour between one of my classes- instead of goofing off, I spent 45 min's of that time in the lab-reviewing -and since it was an off hour- the lab was usually quiet and I had more access to the materials (instead of having to wait)

If you find yourself in a situation that you are "sinking" -ask for help before you drown. Ask your teacher for extra credit, or guidance-they are there to help-

Hope this helps- great responses from the other posts too!