3 answers
McKylie
Student
Holladay, TN
1
Question
Asked
211 views
What are some good study habits and helpful tips for a new college student?
I will be a freshman in college as of fall 2026 and will be working towards my BSN I have learned little to no study habits through high school and need some helpful advice for beginning the year with a good start.
Login to comment
3 answers
Armando de Jesús Herrera
Sr. Project Engineer
47
Answers
Roswell, Georgia
Updated
Armando de Jesús’s Answer
Hi McKylie,
First, it’s great that you’re thinking about this before starting, most people don’t, and that already puts you ahead. Study habits aren’t something you’re born with; they’re skills you learn.
A few things that really help in college:
Treat school like a job. Set specific study hours each week and protect them, even if you don’t have an exam coming up. Consistency matters more than cramming.
Don’t just reread, actively study. Practice NCLEX-style questions, explain concepts out loud as if you’re teaching someone else, make concept maps, and quiz yourself. Active recall works much better than passively looking at notes.
Start assignments early. Even doing 20–30 minutes a day reduces stress a lot and helps things stick better.
Use resources early. Attend office hours, tutoring centers, and study groups before you’re struggling. Nursing programs move fast, and asking questions early is a strength, not a weakness.
Take care of yourself. Sleep, food, and short breaks are not optional, your brain needs them to learn. Burnout makes studying way harder. You don’t need to be perfect on day one. You’ll figure out what works for you as you go. The most important thing is being willing to adjust and not being afraid to ask for help. You’ve got this.
First, it’s great that you’re thinking about this before starting, most people don’t, and that already puts you ahead. Study habits aren’t something you’re born with; they’re skills you learn.
A few things that really help in college:
Armando de Jesús recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond I really appreciate it and will try using all your tips! additionally, Do you think it could be a good idea to get a large white board for studying and visualizing? I've Heard a lot of nursing is learning how to visualize concepts.
McKylie
Armando de Jesús Herrera
Sr. Project Engineer
47
Answers
Roswell, Georgia
Updated
Armando de Jesús’s Answer
Hi McKylie,
Following up my previous answer and your comment... You’re very welcome, I’m glad it was useful! And yes, a large whiteboard can be a really good idea. For many subjects, especially ones with complex or abstract concepts, being able to visualize relationships, processes, or systems can make a big difference. Writing things out, sketching diagrams, or mapping ideas helps turn passive studying into something more active. A lot of people also find it helpful to explain concepts out loud while using the board, since that can reveal gaps in understanding. If you enjoy learning visually or hands-on, a whiteboard can be a great addition, just make sure to balance it with practice and application, not just review. I personally use a whiteboard all the time when trying to explain ideas and work through complex concepts.
Treat school like a job. Set specific study hours each week and protect them, even if you don’t have an exam coming up. Consistency matters more than cramming.
Don’t just reread, actively study. Practice NCLEX-style questions, explain concepts out loud as if you’re teaching someone else, make concept maps, and quiz yourself. Active recall works much better than passively looking at notes.
Start assignments early. Even doing 20–30 minutes a day reduces stress a lot and helps things stick better.
Use resources early. Attend office hours, tutoring centers, and study groups before you’re struggling. Nursing programs move fast, and asking questions early is a strength, not a weakness.
Take care of yourself. Sleep, food, and short breaks are not optional, your brain needs them to learn. Burnout makes studying way harder. You don’t need to be perfect on day one. You’ll figure out what works for you as you go. The most important thing is being willing to adjust and not being afraid to ask for help. You’ve got this.
Following up my previous answer and your comment... You’re very welcome, I’m glad it was useful! And yes, a large whiteboard can be a really good idea. For many subjects, especially ones with complex or abstract concepts, being able to visualize relationships, processes, or systems can make a big difference. Writing things out, sketching diagrams, or mapping ideas helps turn passive studying into something more active. A lot of people also find it helpful to explain concepts out loud while using the board, since that can reveal gaps in understanding. If you enjoy learning visually or hands-on, a whiteboard can be a great addition, just make sure to balance it with practice and application, not just review. I personally use a whiteboard all the time when trying to explain ideas and work through complex concepts.
Armando de Jesús recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much I really appreciated your time lets hope for the best!!
McKylie
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2611
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you can find a time management tool to help, e.g. Google Calendar, MS Outlook, Phone Calendar, etc.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend lecture and tutorials
2. Assign some time on your projects & assignments. Review the material covered in the lecture on the day. If you have any question, ask the tutor in the next tutorial.
3. Make sure you have enough time to sleep and do some exercise
4. You can then allocate some time for clubs and extra curriculum activities.
5. Assign more time for revision early before assessments
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend lecture and tutorials
2. Assign some time on your projects & assignments. Review the material covered in the lecture on the day. If you have any question, ask the tutor in the next tutorial.
3. Make sure you have enough time to sleep and do some exercise
4. You can then allocate some time for clubs and extra curriculum activities.
5. Assign more time for revision early before assessments
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Thank you so much for your answer I have bought a physical calendar for myself to log class schedule and tests and when everything fully starts up I will be getting a digital calendar just for college! I hope you have a blessed day!
McKylie