College comes with a new level of academic rigor, a large volume of work and so many questions. How can you study efficiently to get the best possible grades? The following is a list of study tips for college students that outlines my personal study tips as well as some additional resources that Lehigh University offers to help students academically.
A List of Study Tips for College Students
- Plan out your week: When I have a busy week, I like to write down when I plan on completing each assignment to keep myself on track. Instead of procrastinating and saving everything for the night before, setting time aside in my schedule to complete assignments allows me to make sure they are done ahead of time. I also like to mark down larger assignments and exams in my Google Calendar.
- Alternate subjects and take breaks: It’s easy to zone out studying large amounts of content for an exam or reading a long textbook. Working on one subject for too long leads to less productivity. To solve this, I try to move from one subject to another after a set amount of time. If you feel yourself getting tired or becoming unfocused, take a walk or get a snack at one of the campus cafe’s to get your endorphins flowing again.
- Find a study environment that suits you: Some students can study well in their rooms, but I prefer to escape the same place I sleep. My favorite spot to study is in one of the cubbies at the Fairchild-Martindale Library. It’s perfect because there are quiet zones and I can have my own individual study space. When I’m working on group projects, I like to go to Lucy’s Cafe in the basement of the Linderman Library. You can’t miss the beautiful rotunda in this building!
- Teach someone else the material: When I’m struggling to grasp a new concept, I find it helpful to memorize it and then present the information to someone else.
- Talk to your professors: Professors or TAs hold office hours once or more a week. This is one of the most effective ways to get help in a class and also get to know your professor. I can directly ask questions of the person grading me, someone who is also very knowledgeable regarding the subject. If you’re struggling in a class, professors can also be willing to help extend deadlines or offer you support.
- Take advantage of Lehigh’s academic support resources: Lehigh offers a multitude of resources to help students outside of the classroom. The TRAC Writing Fellows Program is one support system that helped me in my psychology research methods class. These are trained students, who come into writing intensive classes and have one-on-one meetings with students to review their research papers. The Center for Academic Success offers tutoring for most classes first- and second-year students take. Tutoring is even available right outside students' living spaces in common areas for introductory math and science courses. Students who need more help can schedule individual meetings with the Center for Academic Success as well.