by Karen Banes

Created on: September 12, 2008

College level studying requires different skills than high school. If you've developed good study strategies that worked for you in high school that's great, but you will need to build on them and adapt them as you move into a college atmosphere. Use the following tips to establish a good routine for college level study techniques and strategies.

Learn to be independent. There will be no-one setting you specific tasks to be handed in each week. You will be assigned material to read/learn/study and no-one will check if you've really done it or not, but not doing it will result in you not having a sufficient grasp of the material to progress easily in the course. Learn to set your own study schedule and stick to it.

Show up. No-one will call you (or your parents! if you don't go to class. Some lecturers (particularly if they have a big class) don't even bother taking attendance. If you don't attend, there may be no immediate consequences at all. The consequences will become obvious later in the course when you realize you don't understand the core concepts and have missed big chunks of information that may be coming up on mid-term tests or final exams. If you're in class, listening and participating, you will avoid big study problems later on.

Get organized. You may be studying several separate courses within your program and it's easy to become overwhelmed with written (and verbal) information very quickly. Right from the start, get into the habit of organizing your study material. File all notes and handouts immediately. Note all assignment due dates, tests, reading assignments, study weeks, holidays, due dates for library materials, etc. then plan to use your time efficiently.

Learn what works for you. Everybody learns differently. You may have identified study strategies and techniques that worked well for you in high school. Be prepared to adapt these to the unique challenges of your particular program at your particular college. If you need some general tips regarding effective study skills for college students check out the websites recommended in this article:
http://www.helium.com/items/1170825-the-best -websites-that-promote-academic-success

Manage your time (and your stress levels). If you have moved away from home for the first time, you may be new to the concept of being 100% responsible for your time and activities. Managing your time effectively will make the difference between enjoying college and feeling overwhelmed, stressed and miserable. For relevant time management tips check out this article:
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/185432-tips- on-time-management-for-college-students

Stay on top of your studies. Getting behind means it will be stressful and time consuming to catch up. Review notes regularly. Get reading and other assignments done on time. If you miss a class, get (and read) the notes as soon as possible.

Form a study group. Or find a study buddy. Whatever appeals to you most and whichever one you feel you will stick with. It's a great way to pool resources, learn, socialize and get support.

Develop good relationships with professors. As already mentioned, some college classes are big and your professor may not get to know you well unless you take the initiative. Don't be afraid to approach them to ask questions or get clarification, or just to tell them you're enjoying the course and getting a lot out of it.

Prepare well for tests and exams. Take the stress time out of exam time by developing good long-term study habits and planning ahead. For more exam tips, see this article: http://www.helium.com/items/1168406-study-strategies -for-midterms-and-finals.

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