What organizational methods, study routines, or lifestyle activities better equip an overwhelmed college student to thrive?
In other words, what are some good tips for proactive studying (i.e. making flash cards, taking notes from the book, making diagrams/analogies), for a healthy lifestyle (i.e. daily exercise or exercise ‘X’ times per week, eating a certain diet), and good organization (i.e. keeping a planner, having a folder for each class, or making lists) that can help a pre-med student remain prepared? #student-development #student-affairs #college-student #premed #organized #preparedness
Thanks.
5 answers

James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Organizational Methods, Study Routines, and Lifestyle Activities for College Students
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE'S IDEAS:-
1. Proactive Studying Techniques
To thrive academically, especially in a demanding field like pre-med, students can adopt several proactive studying techniques:
Active Learning Strategies: Engaging with the material actively rather than passively is crucial. This includes making flashcards for key terms and concepts, which can enhance memory retention through spaced repetition. Tools like Anki or Quizlet can be beneficial for this purpose.
Note-Taking Methods: Effective note-taking is essential. The Cornell Method encourages dividing notes into summaries, cues, and main notes, which helps in organizing information logically. Additionally, using digital tools such as OneNote or Notion can facilitate easy access and organization of notes.
Visual Aids: Creating diagrams or mind maps can help visualize complex information and relationships between concepts. This method is particularly useful in subjects like biology or chemistry where processes need to be understood holistically.
Practice Testing: Regular self-testing through practice exams or quizzes can significantly improve retention and understanding of the material. Utilizing resources such as past exam papers or online question banks can provide valuable practice.
2. Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for academic success:
Regular Exercise: Engaging in physical activity at least 3-5 times per week has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels. Activities could include jogging, swimming, cycling, or group fitness classes that also promote social interaction.
Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports brain health and energy levels. Staying hydrated is equally important; students should aim to drink sufficient water throughout the day.
Sleep Hygiene: Prioritizing sleep is critical for memory consolidation and overall well-being. College students should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night by establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a restful environment.
3. Organizational Strategies
Effective organization can alleviate feelings of overwhelm:
Use of Planners: Keeping a planner (digital or paper) helps track assignments, deadlines, exams, and personal commitments. Tools like Google Calendar or Todoist are excellent for managing time effectively.
Folder System: Organizing materials by creating dedicated folders (physical or digital) for each class ensures that all relevant documents are easily accessible when needed.
To-Do Lists: Daily or weekly to-do lists can help prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Breaking larger projects into smaller tasks makes them more manageable.
Study Groups: Collaborating with peers in study groups fosters accountability while allowing students to gain different perspectives on challenging topics.
By integrating these organizational methods, study routines, and lifestyle activities into their daily lives, overwhelmed college students—especially those pursuing pre-med—can enhance their preparedness and overall academic performance.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides extensive research on effective study habits and psychological principles related to learning and memory retention strategies that are beneficial for students.
2. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH offers insights into the importance of physical health—including exercise and nutrition—on cognitive function and academic performance among college students.
3. Harvard University’s Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct
Harvard’s resources include guidelines on effective study techniques tailored specifically for high-achieving students in rigorous academic programs like pre-med studies.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Simeon’s Answer
Mat’s Answer
In summary: develop good habits. Your good and bad habits compound (grow) over time and point you in a certain direction (good or bad). With good habits you'll find good things happen automatically: sleep, grades, nutrition/hydration, studying/understanding, friendships, etc. With bad habits you'll obviously end up in a bad place over time. The best resource for this in my opinion is the book: Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Mat recommends the following next steps:
Ken’s Answer
The most important thing that a collage student can do to survive is to create a reasonable life balance. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.unigo.com/in-college/college-experience/creating-a-workschool-balance-a-college-student-perspective
http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-tools/college-life-balance.html
Marlene’s Answer
Prioritize activities that are required over those that are not required.
Develop a daily schedule that includes time for study, work, social activities, and exercise.