4 answers
Avery
Student
Elmhurst, Illinois
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some of the best study techniques to use in college?
I haven't found the best ways to study yet and I know I will need to in college so I was wondering what some of the most useful ones are.
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4 answers
Doug Johnson
Project Manager
29
Answers
Orland Park, Illinois
Updated
Doug’s Answer
Hi Avery.
It’s good you’re thinking about this now. I eventually came up with some techniques after getting to college and realizing I didn’t have a plan or a good method.
You’ll have to try different methods and see which ones work best for you. I like the tips and perspective provided by the others answering this question especially creating a study plan, daily goals, participating in class. Here are a few techniques that I eventually discovered and helped me in college.
Collaborate with other students in the same class. You may know some other students taking the same class. If you don’t, get to know someone. Make sure that person is serious about the class and serious about study habits. Don’t just share notes, meet 3 or 4 times during the semester to compare notes. That joint review will help refresh what you’ve learned and you’re likely to discover points that you missed from the book(s) and the lecture.
Consider flashcards. Key concepts, points, events, etc. can be memorized by reviewing flash cards. I think people undervalue how much test performance can be improved by memorizing facts. Whenever you have a few minutes (waiting to meet someone or waiting for the professor to start the class), you can pull out your flashcards and go through them. I used 3x5 note cards, but there are several phone apps that you might find easier to use (and your cards won’t blow away and scatter if you drop them – like I did several times). I now use AnkiApp to help me memorize topics I need to know.
For courses that have essay exams, practice answering essay questions. In college, I struggled with essay exams. Not necessarily because I hadn’t studied, but because it took me too long to organize my thoughts to write a short essay that was organized and demonstrated what I had learned. I started making significant improvement on essay exams when, as a study technique, I wrote answers to practice essay questions for that class. I didn’t give my practice essay answers to anyone. My goal was to get my mental gears moving more quickly to organize my thoughts when sitting down to write the essay. Most practice questions I came up with myself, and I got better at coming up with practice questions with experience over time (seeing the real essay test questions). I’d think up potential essay questions while listening to the lecture in class. I also collaborated with one or two other students in the class to come up with likely essay questions.
When you get to college, be sure to talk to other students about what study habits and techniques they find successful. You’ll have to try different things to find some that work best for you.
Good luck.
It’s good you’re thinking about this now. I eventually came up with some techniques after getting to college and realizing I didn’t have a plan or a good method.
You’ll have to try different methods and see which ones work best for you. I like the tips and perspective provided by the others answering this question especially creating a study plan, daily goals, participating in class. Here are a few techniques that I eventually discovered and helped me in college.
Collaborate with other students in the same class. You may know some other students taking the same class. If you don’t, get to know someone. Make sure that person is serious about the class and serious about study habits. Don’t just share notes, meet 3 or 4 times during the semester to compare notes. That joint review will help refresh what you’ve learned and you’re likely to discover points that you missed from the book(s) and the lecture.
Consider flashcards. Key concepts, points, events, etc. can be memorized by reviewing flash cards. I think people undervalue how much test performance can be improved by memorizing facts. Whenever you have a few minutes (waiting to meet someone or waiting for the professor to start the class), you can pull out your flashcards and go through them. I used 3x5 note cards, but there are several phone apps that you might find easier to use (and your cards won’t blow away and scatter if you drop them – like I did several times). I now use AnkiApp to help me memorize topics I need to know.
For courses that have essay exams, practice answering essay questions. In college, I struggled with essay exams. Not necessarily because I hadn’t studied, but because it took me too long to organize my thoughts to write a short essay that was organized and demonstrated what I had learned. I started making significant improvement on essay exams when, as a study technique, I wrote answers to practice essay questions for that class. I didn’t give my practice essay answers to anyone. My goal was to get my mental gears moving more quickly to organize my thoughts when sitting down to write the essay. Most practice questions I came up with myself, and I got better at coming up with practice questions with experience over time (seeing the real essay test questions). I’d think up potential essay questions while listening to the lecture in class. I also collaborated with one or two other students in the class to come up with likely essay questions.
When you get to college, be sure to talk to other students about what study habits and techniques they find successful. You’ll have to try different things to find some that work best for you.
Good luck.
Nayra Guevara
Global HR Specialist
14
Answers
Spain
Updated
Nayra’s Answer
Hi Avery! Although there are many different things that could work for different people, here is what I can recommend to students like you:
Go deeper, to get the most out of the learning experience, it is important to gather more information from the most important concepts presented in lectures. Reading from different sources can help you process knowledge differently and enable you to use it and present it with superior understanding.
You can leverage research papers on Google Scholar or ask AI to recommend you books and authors that feature the topics you need to study about. AI should be used as an assistant and not as a replacement of our capacity to create and transfer knowledge.
I hope this helps. Best of luck finding the best technique that works for you!
Go deeper, to get the most out of the learning experience, it is important to gather more information from the most important concepts presented in lectures. Reading from different sources can help you process knowledge differently and enable you to use it and present it with superior understanding.
You can leverage research papers on Google Scholar or ask AI to recommend you books and authors that feature the topics you need to study about. AI should be used as an assistant and not as a replacement of our capacity to create and transfer knowledge.
I hope this helps. Best of luck finding the best technique that works for you!
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
49
Answers
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Avery,
"Study" is all about Motivation and Time Management. Turns out that college is about "Learning to learn". You can train your brain to be a life-long learner or a one-trick-pony; which do you think become leaders in their chosen fields?
Your Employment for the next 3-10 years will be to learn and YOU are the employer. Do the best job you can for yourself!
Depending on your coursework and schedule, there are several suggestions to an efficient "learning" experience.
1) Do assignments and review class notes (YES - I prefer paper and pen; it's amazing how much knowledge your fingers can put into your brain) as soon after class as possible to move that new information from your short term memory to your long term memory while it is fresh and accurate!
2) Form a study group for really tough classes, that have lots of memorizations or hard research, for mutual support and to encourage each other. It also turns out that one of the best ways to learn is to teach each other!
3) Plan long assignments in "sprints" of work so that you neither burnout nor miss a deadline. With computer tools today, organization and planning are the keys to success.
4) Stay AHEAD of the class by reading ahead on the syllabus. Not to be the "Best" or "teacher's pet", but to use the lecture to hone your self-learning and do better with less effort. If you don't know what's next: ASK!
5) Take time to exercise and do some sports or exercise (bike, jog, etc.) because just like sleep, the brain needs a respite from all that learning. Use the time to step away and refresh with some physical activity.
Some things to avoid:
1) ChatGPT(!) It will stifle your creativity and ability to "Think". Yes - we use Google all the time to find things. But YOUR ability to think is half of what you're trying to develop for that tuition. If all you ever have to do is "Search for answers that already exist", you are already pretty obsolete.
2) Social Activity that takes precedence over study. Same goes for working. If you don't dedicate your time to school, you might just as well not pay the money. Don't burn out on "extracurriculars" unless they are REALLY REALLY important - Save the baby from a burning building, don't demonstrate the party deck rated for 50 can hold 100 undergrads!
3) Anchor Babies that are looking for you to carry them through assignments and homework - They are NOT paying you to do their work. Give them a chance to return a favor, but only one.
4) Giving up. Some times there are setbacks -- it happens. Adjust and move on - Maybe move in a different direction, but keep moving.
5) DO NOT "CHEAT" - you will only cheat yourself. Honesty is the best policy even when you are under attack, because truth will come out in the end, and you never want to be on the wrong side of history. This doesn't mean to "Rat out" cheaters either, but if asked, be transparent and truthful.
This is an Investment in yourself - Treat it like that. When all is said and done, you will OWN this experience; make it the best experience you can.
Tony
"Study" is all about Motivation and Time Management. Turns out that college is about "Learning to learn". You can train your brain to be a life-long learner or a one-trick-pony; which do you think become leaders in their chosen fields?
Your Employment for the next 3-10 years will be to learn and YOU are the employer. Do the best job you can for yourself!
Depending on your coursework and schedule, there are several suggestions to an efficient "learning" experience.
1) Do assignments and review class notes (YES - I prefer paper and pen; it's amazing how much knowledge your fingers can put into your brain) as soon after class as possible to move that new information from your short term memory to your long term memory while it is fresh and accurate!
2) Form a study group for really tough classes, that have lots of memorizations or hard research, for mutual support and to encourage each other. It also turns out that one of the best ways to learn is to teach each other!
3) Plan long assignments in "sprints" of work so that you neither burnout nor miss a deadline. With computer tools today, organization and planning are the keys to success.
4) Stay AHEAD of the class by reading ahead on the syllabus. Not to be the "Best" or "teacher's pet", but to use the lecture to hone your self-learning and do better with less effort. If you don't know what's next: ASK!
5) Take time to exercise and do some sports or exercise (bike, jog, etc.) because just like sleep, the brain needs a respite from all that learning. Use the time to step away and refresh with some physical activity.
Some things to avoid:
1) ChatGPT(!) It will stifle your creativity and ability to "Think". Yes - we use Google all the time to find things. But YOUR ability to think is half of what you're trying to develop for that tuition. If all you ever have to do is "Search for answers that already exist", you are already pretty obsolete.
2) Social Activity that takes precedence over study. Same goes for working. If you don't dedicate your time to school, you might just as well not pay the money. Don't burn out on "extracurriculars" unless they are REALLY REALLY important - Save the baby from a burning building, don't demonstrate the party deck rated for 50 can hold 100 undergrads!
3) Anchor Babies that are looking for you to carry them through assignments and homework - They are NOT paying you to do their work. Give them a chance to return a favor, but only one.
4) Giving up. Some times there are setbacks -- it happens. Adjust and move on - Maybe move in a different direction, but keep moving.
5) DO NOT "CHEAT" - you will only cheat yourself. Honesty is the best policy even when you are under attack, because truth will come out in the end, and you never want to be on the wrong side of history. This doesn't mean to "Rat out" cheaters either, but if asked, be transparent and truthful.
This is an Investment in yourself - Treat it like that. When all is said and done, you will OWN this experience; make it the best experience you can.
Tony
Ce Ji
55
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ce’s Answer
Hi Avery, finding the right study skills in college can take some time, but here are a few tips to help you get started: First, create a clear study plan to feel more in control. Set daily goals, like spending 30 minutes reviewing your courses and making mind maps to organize what you learn. This can boost your efficiency and ease the stress of procrastination.
Next, actively participate in class by listening with questions in mind, jotting down key ideas, and joining exercises or group discussions afterward to deepen your understanding. This helps you engage with the material rather than just passively absorbing it.
Also, try mixing up your learning methods. Use short breaks to listen to course audio, explore theories with case studies, or teach complex topics to a friend using the Feynman technique. These strategies can help move information from short-term to long-term memory.
Remember to review regularly. Spend an hour each week going over your notes, identifying mistakes, and pinpointing areas that need improvement. This way, you won’t feel rushed when exams come around.
Lastly, keep a positive attitude. If you hit a roadblock, don’t hesitate to reach out to professors or classmates. You might find that many problems have easier solutions than you think!
Next, actively participate in class by listening with questions in mind, jotting down key ideas, and joining exercises or group discussions afterward to deepen your understanding. This helps you engage with the material rather than just passively absorbing it.
Also, try mixing up your learning methods. Use short breaks to listen to course audio, explore theories with case studies, or teach complex topics to a friend using the Feynman technique. These strategies can help move information from short-term to long-term memory.
Remember to review regularly. Spend an hour each week going over your notes, identifying mistakes, and pinpointing areas that need improvement. This way, you won’t feel rushed when exams come around.
Lastly, keep a positive attitude. If you hit a roadblock, don’t hesitate to reach out to professors or classmates. You might find that many problems have easier solutions than you think!