10 answers
Imee
Student
Kihei, Hawaii
2
Questions
Asked
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How do I tackle harder college courses?
Hi, Im currently in my second year of college and I am still struggling to study. I am studying anatomy and physiology with some other heavy math courses.. I was wondering if there was any way to study these subject better. I can admit I do procrastinate alot and leads me to cramming my exam to which I hate. If there is any advice, I would appreciate them.. Thanks!
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10 answers
Samuel Oppong
Content Officer / Digital media and video production specialist
2
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
First: Beat the procrastination monster (so no more last-minute panic)
The biggest reason cramming happens is we wait until the work feels scary-big. Make it tiny instead.
Start stupid-small: Tell yourself “I’ll just do 10 minutes.” Set a timer. Open your notes or book for only 10 minutes. Most times, once you start, you keep going. If not? You still did 10 minutes win!
Make a tiny daily habit: Pick one subject (say A&P) and do 20-30 minutes every single day, even on chill days. Do it at the same time (like right after lunch). Your brain gets used to it, like brushing teeth.
Use the “2-minute rule”: If a task takes less than 2 minutes (like opening Anki flashcards or rewriting one math example), do it right now. No thinking.
Phone jail: Put your phone in another room or in a drawer during study time. Crazy how much faster time goes without scrolling.
Do this and cramming almost disappears because stuff gets reviewed little by little.
For Anatomy & Physiology (the memorizing + understanding body stuff)
A&P is visual and story-like. Don’t just read draw, talk, test yourself.
Draw everything. Seriously sketch bones, muscles, heart flow even if it looks bad at first. Label it. Color-code (red for arteries, blue for veins). Drawing sticks way better than highlighting.
Talk out loud like you’re teaching a friend (or your little cousin). Explain how blood goes through the heart or why kidneys filter stuff. If you stumble, go back and fix it.
Use pictures + words together (called dual coding). Look at 3D apps or Netter’s atlas pics, then cover labels and quiz yourself.
Break chapters into tiny pieces. Don’t read a whole chapter do one section (like “just the femur today”), understand it, draw it, quiz it.
Flashcards with Anki or Quizlet put question on front (“What does the left ventricle do?”), answer on back. Review every day for a few minutes. Space it out (app does this automatically).
Mnemonics for lists (e.g., “Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle” for carpal bones make your own silly ones, they stick forever).
Study a little every day + active stuff like drawing/quizzing = you remember way longer than cramming.
For the heavy math courses
Math is mostly practice, not reading.
Do problems every day, even just 5-10. Start with easy ones to warm up, then harder.
Don’t just look at solved examples cover the solution and try it yourself first. Get stuck? Okay, peek, then try again without looking.
When you miss one, figure out exactly why (wrong step? forgot rule?). Write a quick note: “Mistake: forgot to distribute negative.”
Mix topics (called interleaving). Don’t do 50 calculus problems in a row mix with yesterday’s algebra stuff. Brain gets better at choosing the right method.
Teach it back: After finishing homework, explain one problem out loud like you’re the teacher.
Quick daily routine idea that kills cramming
Morning or after class: 20-30 min review yesterday’s notes (A&P draw, math redo 1-2 problems).
Afternoon/evening: 30-60 min new stuff (read + active practice).
Before bed: 10-15 min quick quiz/flashcards.
Weekend: longer review of weak spots.
Start with just one change like the 10-minute rule or daily 20 min A&P drawing. Once that feels normal, add another.
You got this, man. Small steps every day turn into huge wins by exam time. No more hating cramming you’ll walk in calm and ready. If something specific is still hard (like a certain topic), just tell me and we can zoom in on it.
You’re already ahead by asking keep going!
The biggest reason cramming happens is we wait until the work feels scary-big. Make it tiny instead.
Start stupid-small: Tell yourself “I’ll just do 10 minutes.” Set a timer. Open your notes or book for only 10 minutes. Most times, once you start, you keep going. If not? You still did 10 minutes win!
Make a tiny daily habit: Pick one subject (say A&P) and do 20-30 minutes every single day, even on chill days. Do it at the same time (like right after lunch). Your brain gets used to it, like brushing teeth.
Use the “2-minute rule”: If a task takes less than 2 minutes (like opening Anki flashcards or rewriting one math example), do it right now. No thinking.
Phone jail: Put your phone in another room or in a drawer during study time. Crazy how much faster time goes without scrolling.
Do this and cramming almost disappears because stuff gets reviewed little by little.
For Anatomy & Physiology (the memorizing + understanding body stuff)
A&P is visual and story-like. Don’t just read draw, talk, test yourself.
Draw everything. Seriously sketch bones, muscles, heart flow even if it looks bad at first. Label it. Color-code (red for arteries, blue for veins). Drawing sticks way better than highlighting.
Talk out loud like you’re teaching a friend (or your little cousin). Explain how blood goes through the heart or why kidneys filter stuff. If you stumble, go back and fix it.
Use pictures + words together (called dual coding). Look at 3D apps or Netter’s atlas pics, then cover labels and quiz yourself.
Break chapters into tiny pieces. Don’t read a whole chapter do one section (like “just the femur today”), understand it, draw it, quiz it.
Flashcards with Anki or Quizlet put question on front (“What does the left ventricle do?”), answer on back. Review every day for a few minutes. Space it out (app does this automatically).
Mnemonics for lists (e.g., “Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle” for carpal bones make your own silly ones, they stick forever).
Study a little every day + active stuff like drawing/quizzing = you remember way longer than cramming.
For the heavy math courses
Math is mostly practice, not reading.
Do problems every day, even just 5-10. Start with easy ones to warm up, then harder.
Don’t just look at solved examples cover the solution and try it yourself first. Get stuck? Okay, peek, then try again without looking.
When you miss one, figure out exactly why (wrong step? forgot rule?). Write a quick note: “Mistake: forgot to distribute negative.”
Mix topics (called interleaving). Don’t do 50 calculus problems in a row mix with yesterday’s algebra stuff. Brain gets better at choosing the right method.
Teach it back: After finishing homework, explain one problem out loud like you’re the teacher.
Quick daily routine idea that kills cramming
Morning or after class: 20-30 min review yesterday’s notes (A&P draw, math redo 1-2 problems).
Afternoon/evening: 30-60 min new stuff (read + active practice).
Before bed: 10-15 min quick quiz/flashcards.
Weekend: longer review of weak spots.
Start with just one change like the 10-minute rule or daily 20 min A&P drawing. Once that feels normal, add another.
You got this, man. Small steps every day turn into huge wins by exam time. No more hating cramming you’ll walk in calm and ready. If something specific is still hard (like a certain topic), just tell me and we can zoom in on it.
You’re already ahead by asking keep going!
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Imee
Martha D. Kramer
Corporate Training and Communications
81
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Martha D.’s Answer
Hi Imee - I commend you for recognizing and acting on an opportunity for growth. Also, I can relate -- I am answering this question instead of doing my taxes. :-) . Some ideas:
- Talk with your professors, who likely have study tips. If nothing else, they will see that you care about their course.
- If your college has a tutoring center, use it. They likely have study guides or at least people familiar with your courses.
- Set up a study group or at least study with someone else for part of the time. This will give more opportunity to ask questions as they arise and explain the content to others, which also deepens your learning. Also, being with others doing the same thing has a calming effect, which helps focus. Caution - pick people who will study and not distract.
- I see that you are pre-med, but you are taking a lot of heavily quantitative courses at once. Could you spread out this type of course so you use other parts of your brain? That may help your procrastination also.
I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
- Talk with your professors, who likely have study tips. If nothing else, they will see that you care about their course.
- If your college has a tutoring center, use it. They likely have study guides or at least people familiar with your courses.
- Set up a study group or at least study with someone else for part of the time. This will give more opportunity to ask questions as they arise and explain the content to others, which also deepens your learning. Also, being with others doing the same thing has a calming effect, which helps focus. Caution - pick people who will study and not distract.
- I see that you are pre-med, but you are taking a lot of heavily quantitative courses at once. Could you spread out this type of course so you use other parts of your brain? That may help your procrastination also.
I hope this helps and wish you good luck!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Imee
Nathalye Lopez
40
Answers
Updated
Nathalye’s Answer
Hi Imee,
I also found it tough to handle multiple STEM courses at once. I spoke with my college advisor to plan a schedule that included only two STEM courses at a time, which was manageable for me. It's important to set aside time for yourself to recharge so you can return ready to study the next day. Discover what study methods work best for you. I found that Anki and flashcards were effective for me, and I stuck with them. You can find many pre-made flashcard sets online, or classmates might share theirs, so you might not always need to make your own. Make studying enjoyable by playing music in the background or visiting a local café or library to change your surroundings.
I also found it tough to handle multiple STEM courses at once. I spoke with my college advisor to plan a schedule that included only two STEM courses at a time, which was manageable for me. It's important to set aside time for yourself to recharge so you can return ready to study the next day. Discover what study methods work best for you. I found that Anki and flashcards were effective for me, and I stuck with them. You can find many pre-made flashcard sets online, or classmates might share theirs, so you might not always need to make your own. Make studying enjoyable by playing music in the background or visiting a local café or library to change your surroundings.
Alexander V
IT audit
4
Answers
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
Dear Imee,
Recognizing procrastination is a big step, and it shows your self-awareness and honesty. Be proud of yourself for noticing this.
Let's break your concern into two parts: procrastination and the difficulty of your subjects like anatomy, physiology, and math.
First, think about why you procrastinate. Is it because the subjects are challenging, or is there another reason? Be honest with yourself. There's no right or wrong answer, and whatever you find is okay. Understanding the real reason can help you address it better.
If the heavy coursework is causing procrastination, start looking for ways to handle this challenge. I call it a challenge, not a problem, because the energy you put into it matters. Try writing down what interests you about these subjects. Ask questions about anatomy, physiology, and math. Don't worry about learning right away; just let your curiosity guide you to explore what you would like to know about these subjects.
No matter the reason, remember to take care of yourself. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well. This foundation is crucial and will always support you throughout life.
Check: Am I rested? Does my body have enough exercise? Did I put enough healthy nutrients into my body to function?
Check: Why do I procrastrinate?
Write down your self interest questions related to the courses you are learning.
Recognizing procrastination is a big step, and it shows your self-awareness and honesty. Be proud of yourself for noticing this.
Let's break your concern into two parts: procrastination and the difficulty of your subjects like anatomy, physiology, and math.
First, think about why you procrastinate. Is it because the subjects are challenging, or is there another reason? Be honest with yourself. There's no right or wrong answer, and whatever you find is okay. Understanding the real reason can help you address it better.
If the heavy coursework is causing procrastination, start looking for ways to handle this challenge. I call it a challenge, not a problem, because the energy you put into it matters. Try writing down what interests you about these subjects. Ask questions about anatomy, physiology, and math. Don't worry about learning right away; just let your curiosity guide you to explore what you would like to know about these subjects.
No matter the reason, remember to take care of yourself. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well. This foundation is crucial and will always support you throughout life.
Alexander recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for your encouragement!
Imee
Yolanda Dawson, Ed.D.
4
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Yolanda’s Answer
Take advantage of the helpful services on campus. Working with a tutor can make those tough subjects easier. Make sure you've finished all the required courses before signing up for advanced ones. Check out the student services program on campus; they offer many free resources to support you.
Folayemi Adebayo
15
Answers
Grambling, Louisiana
Updated
Folayemi’s Answer
Hi Imee,
Anatomy, physiology, and heavy math courses are genuinely some of the most demanding combinations so you are definitely not alone in finding it tough.
The procrastination and cramming cycle is the main thing to break because those subjects have way too much material to absorb last minute. Try breaking your studying into smaller consistent sessions throughout the week because even 30 to 45 minutes daily keeps material fresh and makes exam prep significantly less overwhelming.
For anatomy and physiology, active recall works really well and tools like Anki are great for retaining large amounts of information over time. For math, doing a few practice problems every day keeps concepts sharp in a way that just reading notes never will.
Also do not overlook your professor's office hours and your campus tutoring center because they are free, underused, and can clarify things way faster than struggling through them alone. You already have the self awareness to recognize what is not working which is honestly half the battle, now it is just about building the habits to fix it.
Anatomy, physiology, and heavy math courses are genuinely some of the most demanding combinations so you are definitely not alone in finding it tough.
The procrastination and cramming cycle is the main thing to break because those subjects have way too much material to absorb last minute. Try breaking your studying into smaller consistent sessions throughout the week because even 30 to 45 minutes daily keeps material fresh and makes exam prep significantly less overwhelming.
For anatomy and physiology, active recall works really well and tools like Anki are great for retaining large amounts of information over time. For math, doing a few practice problems every day keeps concepts sharp in a way that just reading notes never will.
Also do not overlook your professor's office hours and your campus tutoring center because they are free, underused, and can clarify things way faster than struggling through them alone. You already have the self awareness to recognize what is not working which is honestly half the battle, now it is just about building the habits to fix it.
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Many people find those classes challenging, so you're not alone. Anatomy, physiology, and math can become overwhelming quickly. It's helpful to use office hours and ask questions if you're confused. Professors and TAs can give quick explanations that save a lot of time later.
Study groups are also beneficial. Discussing material with others helps you understand it better. For anatomy and physiology, using flashcards, diagrams, and explaining concepts out loud can be more effective than just rereading notes.
If you tend to procrastinate and cram, try breaking your study time into shorter sessions throughout the week instead of long ones right before an exam. Even 30 to 45 minutes a day on diagrams, practice problems, or key terms can make a big difference. This approach reduces stress before tests and makes the material easier to manage.
Study groups are also beneficial. Discussing material with others helps you understand it better. For anatomy and physiology, using flashcards, diagrams, and explaining concepts out loud can be more effective than just rereading notes.
If you tend to procrastinate and cram, try breaking your study time into shorter sessions throughout the week instead of long ones right before an exam. Even 30 to 45 minutes a day on diagrams, practice problems, or key terms can make a big difference. This approach reduces stress before tests and makes the material easier to manage.
Carolina Undurraga
M&A Advisory
24
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Carolina’s Answer
It's great that you're noticing the cycle of procrastination and cramming. Being aware of it is the first step to changing it. Courses like anatomy, physiology, and advanced math can be tough, not because they're impossible, but because they need regular practice and repetition. Cramming for these subjects is really hard to do well.
One method that has really helped me is the Pomodoro Technique. It's a "study, break, study, break" system. You study with full focus for about 25 to 50 minutes, then take a short 5 to 10-minute break. After about four study sessions, you take a longer break. The trick is to remove all distractions during study time. Knowing you only have to focus for a short time makes it easier to start, and the breaks help avoid burnout. This is super useful if you tend to procrastinate because it makes starting easier.
For anatomy and physiology, I use active recall instead of just reading. After going over a section, I close my notes and try to remember everything, writing it down or saying it out loud. I redraw diagrams from memory and use flashcards for terms and processes. Teaching the material out loud as if explaining it to someone else also helps me understand it better. The aim is to make your brain retrieve information, not just recognize it on a page.
For math-heavy courses, practice is key. Watching examples can feel useful, but real progress happens when you try problems on your own without looking at the answers. If I get something wrong, I take time to figure out where my logic went wrong. Keeping track of common mistakes helps me avoid repeating them.
To cut down on cramming, try setting small, specific study goals instead of vague ones. Instead of saying "study physiology," say "review and test myself on the muscular system for two Pomodoro blocks." Smaller, clear tasks are easier to handle and help you stay consistent throughout the week.
If you combine active learning with regular study sessions and planned breaks, you'll likely feel more in control and less stressed. It's not about studying longer; it's about studying smarter and more consistently! Good luck :)
One method that has really helped me is the Pomodoro Technique. It's a "study, break, study, break" system. You study with full focus for about 25 to 50 minutes, then take a short 5 to 10-minute break. After about four study sessions, you take a longer break. The trick is to remove all distractions during study time. Knowing you only have to focus for a short time makes it easier to start, and the breaks help avoid burnout. This is super useful if you tend to procrastinate because it makes starting easier.
For anatomy and physiology, I use active recall instead of just reading. After going over a section, I close my notes and try to remember everything, writing it down or saying it out loud. I redraw diagrams from memory and use flashcards for terms and processes. Teaching the material out loud as if explaining it to someone else also helps me understand it better. The aim is to make your brain retrieve information, not just recognize it on a page.
For math-heavy courses, practice is key. Watching examples can feel useful, but real progress happens when you try problems on your own without looking at the answers. If I get something wrong, I take time to figure out where my logic went wrong. Keeping track of common mistakes helps me avoid repeating them.
To cut down on cramming, try setting small, specific study goals instead of vague ones. Instead of saying "study physiology," say "review and test myself on the muscular system for two Pomodoro blocks." Smaller, clear tasks are easier to handle and help you stay consistent throughout the week.
If you combine active learning with regular study sessions and planned breaks, you'll likely feel more in control and less stressed. It's not about studying longer; it's about studying smarter and more consistently! Good luck :)
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
563
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Great question, Imee! As someone who completed multiple demanding degree programs in engineering and business, I completely understand the challenge of tackling heavy coursework. The biggest game-changer for me was breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and setting strict deadlines for each. For subjects like anatomy and math, I recommend active recall and spaced repetition instead of passive reading, meaning you quiz yourself frequently rather than just re-reading notes. To beat procrastination, try the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused study, 5-minute break) and remove distractions completely during those blocks. Another thing that helped me was applying concepts to real-world scenarios, for example, when I studied complex systems and process engineering, I would connect theory to practical problems which made the material stick much better. Also, don't underestimate the power of study groups and workshops, as I found that facilitating and participating in collaborative sessions with peers dramatically improved my understanding and retention. Finally, plan your semester early, map out all your exams and deadlines on a calendar, and start reviewing material at least one week before each test so you never have to cram again. You clearly have the self-awareness to improve since you already recognize the procrastination pattern, and that honesty with yourself is the first step to fixing it. You've got this!
Magan Pinzon
Nursing
60
Answers
Locust, North Carolina
Updated
Magan’s Answer
Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Many people find studying for college classes challenging. Here are some tips to make it easier. Break your study material into smaller, daily parts instead of cramming. Study in short sessions of 20-40 minutes. Use flashcards or read aloud to help remember things better. Plan your study schedule for the whole week, not just one day. Study anatomy and math in different ways. For Anatomy & Physiology, use diagrams, flashcards, repetition, and drawing. For math, focus on practice problems, understanding why steps are taken, and doing mixed problem sets. You can do this!