5 answers
Kayleigh
Student
Felton, Delaware
1
Question
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What are the best ways to establish good study habit when starting college #Spring2025?
I will be starting college in the fall and want to make sure I get the most out of my experience. What are the best ways to establish good study habit when starting college? #Spring2025
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5 answers
Mary Ann Faue
Communications, Training, and People Development
45
Answers
Hayward, California
Updated
Mary Ann’s Answer
Hello Kayleigh,
As you are about to start college, I have to believe you have already established some pretty good study habits. As you enter college, make sure you build on what already works for you. If you know you need to be in a quiet place with no distractions, find that quiet place to study. If you know you like to have music playing in the background when you study, make yourself a playlist that you can have playing while you study.
If you are going away to college and living on campus, you may need to establish some rules with your roommate (if you have one) about what you need for studying. Or, you may need to establish a practice of going to the library or somewhere else to study.
The thing that I will call out that many people are surprised by when entering college is that the pace is often faster than what they are used to. Think about when you start a class in high school. At the beginning of the year, you get a textbook for that class. And, you spend the entire class year working through that textbook. In college, you work through a textbook over a quarter or semester (depends on which schedule your school is on). So, you're covering the same amount of material in half the time or twice the speed. It takes a little getting used to. But, you'll get in the rhythm of things really quickly.
You might find it helpful to have study groups. I found it helpful to have study groups for the classes that were required for my major. As a group of us were all taking the same classes, it was really helpful to be able to get together to talk about certain concepts or lessons. Often we had these conversations over lunch. So, it was a study group, but it was also social. And, having these study groups with people studying within the same major allowed us to catch each other up if we missed a class along the way.
Again, start with what you know about the study habits that got you to where you are today. See how those things transfer to studying in college and then build from there. You'll do great!
As you are about to start college, I have to believe you have already established some pretty good study habits. As you enter college, make sure you build on what already works for you. If you know you need to be in a quiet place with no distractions, find that quiet place to study. If you know you like to have music playing in the background when you study, make yourself a playlist that you can have playing while you study.
If you are going away to college and living on campus, you may need to establish some rules with your roommate (if you have one) about what you need for studying. Or, you may need to establish a practice of going to the library or somewhere else to study.
The thing that I will call out that many people are surprised by when entering college is that the pace is often faster than what they are used to. Think about when you start a class in high school. At the beginning of the year, you get a textbook for that class. And, you spend the entire class year working through that textbook. In college, you work through a textbook over a quarter or semester (depends on which schedule your school is on). So, you're covering the same amount of material in half the time or twice the speed. It takes a little getting used to. But, you'll get in the rhythm of things really quickly.
You might find it helpful to have study groups. I found it helpful to have study groups for the classes that were required for my major. As a group of us were all taking the same classes, it was really helpful to be able to get together to talk about certain concepts or lessons. Often we had these conversations over lunch. So, it was a study group, but it was also social. And, having these study groups with people studying within the same major allowed us to catch each other up if we missed a class along the way.
Again, start with what you know about the study habits that got you to where you are today. See how those things transfer to studying in college and then build from there. You'll do great!
Momin Bhatti
Communications
4
Answers
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Updated
Momin’s Answer
There's a few factors that you need to remember for effective studying:
Focus: Eliminate distractions, with the main one being your cell phone! This also includes ensuring you have a quiet area and environment that supports your efforts (i.e. library, well-lit area)
Breaks: It's important to take breaks throughout your studying periods (i.e. a few minutes every 20 minutes)
Engage: As you read your material, consider imagining how you would teach it to others. Visualize when possible, think about how you would adapt it. Engage with the material to help you build understanding of it
Focus: Eliminate distractions, with the main one being your cell phone! This also includes ensuring you have a quiet area and environment that supports your efforts (i.e. library, well-lit area)
Breaks: It's important to take breaks throughout your studying periods (i.e. a few minutes every 20 minutes)
Engage: As you read your material, consider imagining how you would teach it to others. Visualize when possible, think about how you would adapt it. Engage with the material to help you build understanding of it
Sarah Bennett
Senior Contracts Manager
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Congratulations on starting your new journey! You've likely built good study habits to get here. Here are some tips to boost your college GPA:
1. Attend Class: Go to class in person or join the live online session. Instructors often share important info in class that's not in the notes or slides. Being there helps with better note-taking and understanding the material. Plus, instructors may be more willing to help students who attend regularly.
2. Read and Review: Go over the assigned coursework each week. Don't wait until right before the exam, as this can be overwhelming and make it harder to learn.
3. Study Plan: Start studying three days before the exam for 1-2 hours a day. Three days before, review coursework and notes, focusing on difficult topics. Two days before, concentrate on challenging areas and review easier material. The day before or the day of the exam, quiz yourself or have someone else quiz you.
4. Build a Strong GPA Early: Aim for a high GPA in your first semester when taking general courses. This gives you more flexibility to maintain a high GPA when classes get tougher in your junior and senior years.
1. Attend Class: Go to class in person or join the live online session. Instructors often share important info in class that's not in the notes or slides. Being there helps with better note-taking and understanding the material. Plus, instructors may be more willing to help students who attend regularly.
2. Read and Review: Go over the assigned coursework each week. Don't wait until right before the exam, as this can be overwhelming and make it harder to learn.
3. Study Plan: Start studying three days before the exam for 1-2 hours a day. Three days before, review coursework and notes, focusing on difficult topics. Two days before, concentrate on challenging areas and review easier material. The day before or the day of the exam, quiz yourself or have someone else quiz you.
4. Build a Strong GPA Early: Aim for a high GPA in your first semester when taking general courses. This gives you more flexibility to maintain a high GPA when classes get tougher in your junior and senior years.
Vikas Srivastava
Communications Manager
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Vikas’s Answer
The benefits of having a notebook and a pen by your side are immense. We live in a day and age when people tend to and choose to consume almost everything through a screen - be it PowerPoint, documents, academic videos, etc. But having the right stationery by your side and crystallising your academic material helps you absorb the concept and content in a more refined and long-lasting manner. Taking notes in a notebook improves focus, builds the right approach and brings in clarity of thought over a period of time.
Also, when it's time to study, I suggest pulling up a chair and making space on your desk. I admit that the habit of finishing up lesson plans from the comfort of a sofa/bed is convenient and tempting. But if you want to derive the right kind of value out of your study time, the traditional way of studying will always stand tall.
Try to choose a habit that's slightly difficult and complex over something that's easy and requires minimum effort.
Last but definitely not the least, disconnect the internet on your smartphone during your study period.
Also, when it's time to study, I suggest pulling up a chair and making space on your desk. I admit that the habit of finishing up lesson plans from the comfort of a sofa/bed is convenient and tempting. But if you want to derive the right kind of value out of your study time, the traditional way of studying will always stand tall.
Try to choose a habit that's slightly difficult and complex over something that's easy and requires minimum effort.
Last but definitely not the least, disconnect the internet on your smartphone during your study period.
Ce Ji
55
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ce’s Answer
Hi Kayleigh,
Congrats on starting your exciting college adventure! Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Set a regular time each day to go over your notes and look ahead.
2. Focus on studying for 25 minutes at a time, then take a break.
3. Break big tasks into smaller ones to keep from putting them off.
4. Remember to make time for rest and exercise!
Try to create a great study environment:
- Join a study group to help each other out.
- Look over your notes and questions before class.
- Visit the library at the same time each week for some quiet study time.
- Use a mind map to organize key points from class.
- Spend 30 minutes on weekends reviewing any tough spots.
Good luck, and enjoy the journey!
Congrats on starting your exciting college adventure! Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Set a regular time each day to go over your notes and look ahead.
2. Focus on studying for 25 minutes at a time, then take a break.
3. Break big tasks into smaller ones to keep from putting them off.
4. Remember to make time for rest and exercise!
Try to create a great study environment:
- Join a study group to help each other out.
- Look over your notes and questions before class.
- Visit the library at the same time each week for some quiet study time.
- Use a mind map to organize key points from class.
- Spend 30 minutes on weekends reviewing any tough spots.
Good luck, and enjoy the journey!