History is one of those subjects that require at least some interest in to do well. It's a different breed than calculus, which is a required course for most advanced scientific degrees and will educate you on the patterns of the universe. Nor is it like a creative writing course, which is subjective down to its core and will help you refine your individual writing style. For many, history is insufferably dry, and as some form of history course is usually part of a core curriculum (also known as General Education) requirement, it can turn many a student into a situational narcoleptic.

But then there are those of us who are intrigued and dare I say it excited by history courses. Whether it's the Roman Empire, Alexander the Great, or the Han Dynasty's lasting cultural impacts on Modern China, we're the ones sitting upright in class and eagerly asking questions. We're the ones who crack those inside jokes that make other students roll their eyes and the professor break into a fond smile (we may also be the ones that slink down into our seats immediately afterwards). But for the history aficionados and the history-and-run' students (get it? Get it? Ha! Sigh) alike, studying for history exams is a matter of organized notes, varied study habits, and preparing your writing style. And it can't be stressed enough start studying about two to three weeks before the exam. It can be crammed into one week, but that should be the minimum you allow yourself the more time you give yourself to learn the facts, the easier and better you'll retain them. Last but not least, as few other courses demand the retention of such a sheer number of facts and details, to properly do well on a history exam begs a good night's rest beforehand.

-Organized Notes

Most history classes are essentially a professor's lecture that attempts to create a semi-personal dynamic on all the details you'd find anyway in your textbook. This is why many professors are lenient with attendance they know they're not really fooling anybody. But it helps to go to class anyway, because often the twist that's put on the subject by the professor (especially if he/she is a good speaker) really helps to engage you in the course in a way that the dry text couldn't accomplish.

So although it's often easy to cut class, it's a good idea to show up regularly if solely for the sake of taking notes and if you miss class, definitely try to get the notes from a classmate. It's that important solid notes

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