4 answers
Alexandra
Student
Missouri City, Texas
1
Question
Updated
569 views
How do you build study habits for college courses? #Spring25
12th Grade
Login to comment
4 answers
Fahad Elahi Khan
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate
44
Answers
Chittagong, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh
Updated
Fahad Elahi’s Answer
Building strong study habits in college can be a fun journey. Start by setting up a routine, making study time a regular part of your day, just like a class. Break your work into smaller parts, like studying for 25 minutes and then taking a short break. This helps you stay fresh. Find a quiet place that helps you focus, and use tools like flashcards or summaries to learn actively. Joining study groups can be motivating, and it's helpful to track what study methods work best for you. Remember, consistency makes it easier, and with time, your efforts will pay off. Great results come from being patient and sticking with it.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hello! Building good study habits for college is very important if you want to do well. The first thing to work on is time management. In college, no one will remind you to do your homework or study for tests, it's up to you. Try creating a schedule that lists your classes, study times, and other daily activities. You can use a planner, calendar, or phone app to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Set aside time each day to study instead of waiting until the last minute. Studying a little every day helps you remember information better and keeps you from feeling stressed before exams.
Next, you should find a place to study where you can concentrate. Some people like the quiet of a library, while others prefer the background noise of a coffee shop. Try different places to see what helps you focus best. When you study, put away your phone and avoid distractions.
It's also helpful to learn how to take good notes. Pay attention in class and write down the main ideas. Don't try to write everything the professor says, just focus on key points. After class, read over your notes while the material is still fresh in your mind. You can highlight important parts or make flashcards for review. You can also form study groups with classmates to share ideas and quiz each other before exams.
Next, you should find a place to study where you can concentrate. Some people like the quiet of a library, while others prefer the background noise of a coffee shop. Try different places to see what helps you focus best. When you study, put away your phone and avoid distractions.
It's also helpful to learn how to take good notes. Pay attention in class and write down the main ideas. Don't try to write everything the professor says, just focus on key points. After class, read over your notes while the material is still fresh in your mind. You can highlight important parts or make flashcards for review. You can also form study groups with classmates to share ideas and quiz each other before exams.
Meighan Middleton
Former College Advisor and Admissions Professional/Surface Warfare Officer
42
Answers
Newport, Rhode Island
Updated
Meighan’s Answer
Hi Alexandra,
It's great you are thinking about how to best build study habits for college now. College classes differ from high school classes in many ways. At most colleges, the class size is larger than the high school class size you are used to.
Colleges also expect you to do more work outside of class to prepare for the lectures. On your first day of class or whenever the class website goes live, download the syllabus and pay attention to deadlines of assignments and dates of exams. Mark these on your calendar, either electronic or a physical planner, and set reminders so that you do not forget a key date. Many professors will not remind students of deadlines in class since they are easily accessible for the entire semester in the syllabus.
Plan to get comfortable reading complex material on your own, developing your own note taking system to gauge your understanding, and then bring questions you have to the large group lecture, small group discussion sections, or office hours with your professor or graduate student teaching assistant.
Additionally, many colleges have resource centers for students that offer free individual or group tutoring. Plan to use these before you think you need them. In college courses, it can be difficult to catch up if you fall behind so a proactive approach works best for most.
Individual habits play a role too-look up YouTube videos from current college students on what habits work for them. Some key words to search for this type of content are "Pomodoro technique", "calendar blocking", "habit stacking", "note taking methods/Cornell method", and "college study habits". There are so many different types of study routines that finding your own will be a highly individualized practice, that you can refine and redevelop over time to find what continues to work best for you.
Best of luck on your college journey!
-Meighan
Review the syllabus for each college course and put key dates and deadlines on your calendar system
Block study time using calendar blocking method for each deadline working backward
Experiment with various note taking and study techniques. Use YouTube as a resource to learn from other students what study techniques work for them.
Find out what resources exist on your campus for free tutoring, group study, and office hours with your Professors
Keep what practices work for you, and refine your individual study practice until you find one that works for you
It's great you are thinking about how to best build study habits for college now. College classes differ from high school classes in many ways. At most colleges, the class size is larger than the high school class size you are used to.
Colleges also expect you to do more work outside of class to prepare for the lectures. On your first day of class or whenever the class website goes live, download the syllabus and pay attention to deadlines of assignments and dates of exams. Mark these on your calendar, either electronic or a physical planner, and set reminders so that you do not forget a key date. Many professors will not remind students of deadlines in class since they are easily accessible for the entire semester in the syllabus.
Plan to get comfortable reading complex material on your own, developing your own note taking system to gauge your understanding, and then bring questions you have to the large group lecture, small group discussion sections, or office hours with your professor or graduate student teaching assistant.
Additionally, many colleges have resource centers for students that offer free individual or group tutoring. Plan to use these before you think you need them. In college courses, it can be difficult to catch up if you fall behind so a proactive approach works best for most.
Individual habits play a role too-look up YouTube videos from current college students on what habits work for them. Some key words to search for this type of content are "Pomodoro technique", "calendar blocking", "habit stacking", "note taking methods/Cornell method", and "college study habits". There are so many different types of study routines that finding your own will be a highly individualized practice, that you can refine and redevelop over time to find what continues to work best for you.
Best of luck on your college journey!
-Meighan
Meighan recommends the following next steps:
Stephanie Prentis-Washington
Consult/Facilitate
10
Answers
Fairfax, Virginia
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
To make your learning experience more active and engaging, try these tips:
1. Use a calendar to plan everything. Mark down due dates, exams, and study times based on what you need to focus on.
2. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This makes them easier to tackle and complete.
3. Avoid procrastination. Stay focused by working with intention. Try studying in 25-minute sessions with a 5-minute break in between to keep things from feeling overwhelming.
Be an active learner and challenge your brain to remember and understand, not just recognize. Have a fantastic semester!
1. Use a calendar to plan everything. Mark down due dates, exams, and study times based on what you need to focus on.
2. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This makes them easier to tackle and complete.
3. Avoid procrastination. Stay focused by working with intention. Try studying in 25-minute sessions with a 5-minute break in between to keep things from feeling overwhelming.
Be an active learner and challenge your brain to remember and understand, not just recognize. Have a fantastic semester!