Article written by Brookelyn StewartEffective ways to be a successful college student

More Helpful than your average magazine!

A Book of Tips For First Time College Students

Where Do You Study???Does the place you study affect efficiency???

One of the keys to being an effective college student is finding the right place to study. It can be very difficult to study when you are surrounded by distractions. One disruptful study section could take you down an entire letter grade! So if you want to survive college, follow these tips on finding the perfect study spot!

1. Make a routine- Develop a routine by studying in the designated studying place every time you plan on hitting the books. Instead of looking over those history notes where you are when you think of it, pick one place that you enjoy studying. Whether it’s a quiet spot in the park or just a little nook in the library, make it a routine in your daily life.

2. Choose a comfortable study place- No body wants to study if they are worried about the crick forming in their neck or the discomfort caused by the cheap, awkward chair. Pick a place that is comfortable and functional for you.

3. Evaluate your study preferences- No one knows you better than, well, YOU. What distracts you when you study??? Is it constant noise surrounding you and catching your attention? Then you can infer that the local café is not the place to study. Do the pictures of that girl you like really get your mind out of the game? Then maybe, you should not be in your room near that shrine you built for Becky Smith from Organic Chemistry (You should also take down the shrine…Don’t be a creep!). What I’m trying to say is find something for you that works!

4. Create study rules. One thing a lot of young people lack is motivation, but CONGRATS! Since you are in college instead of “professionally” playing Call of Duty, you probably have more motivation than most of America does. One way to kick laziness to the curb is to make some guidelines to follow by.

Give yourself time limits and periodic breaks to keep your brain NOT dead.

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 RULES TO SURVIVING COLLEGE…

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to study.A Successful College student doesn’t cram all their work in all at once! NEVER! A good student spreads out their studying over time and NEVER EVER crams at the last second.

2. Create a study planMaking a plan makes everything so much easier. If you plan your diet, you get healthier, skinnier, and stronger. You plan out your finances, you become richer. So why not plan out your studying??? If you make a set time for studying and stick with it, you’ll quickly see your stress levels go down and your grades go up. This is called the SEESAW EFFECT (made that up…but wouldn’t that be cool???)

3. Study at the Same timeAside from making your plan, you must stick with it for it to be successful. Follow your plan religiously.

4. You should establish a specific goal for your study session

Along with planning the time you study, you should also give yourself goals. Plan out exactly what you want to establish in each study session.5. NO PROCRASTINATION!

I cannot emphasis this enough! Procrastination is the devil of the world of studying. It tempts you away from your work and you’ll ultimately waste your time. Keep things that will distract you up when you are studying (This includes the Becky Shrine! PUT IT AWAY!)

6. Start with the hardest subjectDo numbers frighten you? Do you not have a poetic bone in your body? Whatever your Achilles heel may be, you have to put your fears directly in front of you and study them first! Always start with the hardest subject first because it requires

the most time and brain power. Also, when you are done with that, it will make the rest of your work seem SUPER easy.

7. Begin each study session by reviewingIt doesn’t do you much good if you are studying something without knowing the basics! Before you touch that text book, go through your notes you took from class to remind yourself what you need to be studying.

8. Find a quiet study spotIt’s really hard to focus when every one and their brother are asking you to help with THEIR homework. That’s why you study in a place where no one else will bother you.

9. Do not rule out study groupsYeah, we get it. YOU ARE WEIRD! However, this doesn’t mean you should toss out the ideal of study groups. Studying with someone else will help raise questions you never even thought to ask. This can help you cover more of the material and will also get you some time with Beck Smith minus the freaky shrine.

10. Do not take the weekend off when it comes to studyingYou finally did it! You asked out Becky Smith for the weekend and you plan on taking her to the best restaurant in town, but what about the studying? “I’ll do it latet,” you say? Well, if you do this, it will make it extremely hard on yourself. I’m not saying drop the date with Becky or bring your books to the date, but make sure you look over the material at some point over the weekend to keep the information fresh in your mind.

If you follow all of these steps, you will be a very successful student and make great grades. Good grades mean good money, and good money!

Setting and Achieving Goals

A goal is something you wish to set and achieve at some point in the future. Goals are made to have certain characteristics about them that make them easier to complete. They need to be…

Attainable: Some goals… well, they just aren’t meant to be. Imagine a little girl dreaming about her future. That little girl comes to the realization that she wants to become a flying Pegasus. Is this goal something that the little girl is able to do?? This goal is out of reach of her abilities, so in turn, she cannot be a flying Pegasus. The goal is not attainable. To make a very good goal, it needs to be something that you are capable of doing.

Realistic: People will always be making unrealistic goals. For example! It’s good to want to make straight A’s through college, but the goal becomes unrealistic when you decide to form this goal at the end of the semester when you’ve already flunked the class. Instead of saying you want straight A’s, go for something realistic like making a goal to work harder and make better grades NEXT semester.

Flexible: Your goals need to be flexible because things don’t always happen like they do in your head. If you plan on losing 40 pounds in the next 6 months and you stick to a specific diet, you may have to make modifications as you go.

Listening for SuccessNot everyone is a good listener when it comes to school. Sometimes, it’s extraordinarily difficult to pay attention to the material the teacher is trying to cover when the teacher’s voice is the equivalent of Mountain Man from Duck Dynasty.

So, in case you are like most students, here are a few tips on how to be a great listener at school! Listen for Meaning- Sometimes, when you are listening to your teacher, you are just listening to them talk instead of actually understanding the things they are explaining. That’s why instead of just purely giving the teacher your attention, you need to really listen to understand the meaning of the material being covered.Use effective note taking skills- One thing you never want to do is write down every little thing the teacher says. This can make notes really confusing and hard to read and understand. So instead, you should write only the main ideas and concepts the teacher is trying to get across. That way, when you look over your notes, you know exactly what you need to be studying. Work through difficult material- Something I’m notorious for is completely zoning out as soon as the material becomes difficult. This is a common thing among students. To become a good listener, you have to look this difficult material right in the face, say screw you (not to your professor), and comprehend the confusing concepts. Choose to be actively involved- Being involved in class can keep your attention on the subject and help you understand things that you found difficult before. Ask questions and be active in class discussions.

Ways to Improve Your Memory

Memory refers to the process that we use to acquire, store, retain, and retrieve information. Here are 3 major processes involved in memory:

Encoding: Information is changed into a useable form.Storage: Once the information has been successfully encoded, it is stored in memory for later use.Retrieval: Allows us to bring stored memories into conscious awareness.

The goal when studying its to commit the needed information into Long-Term Memory instead of Short-Term Memory. Short-term memory is the thing that you’re currently aware of. You think of it directly now then forget about it around 20 to 30 seconds later. If you don’t forget it, it gets stored in Long-Term Memory. Long-Term Memories are the memories that you can access and use at any time.

TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY…Focus your attention on the materials you are studying.

Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from short-term memory into long-term memory, you need to stay focused on the information that is being presented. For this reason, study in a place where you are least distracted.

Establish regular study sessions.Studying over a number of session’s gives you the time needed to effectively process the information.  Research shows that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who do all their studying at one time.

Organize the Information you are studyingResearchers have found that information is organized in the memory by related clusters. For this reason, you should take advantage of this memory feature by structuring and organizing the materials you are studying. Try grouping similar concepts and terms together in some type of concept map, or make an outline of your notes and any textbook readings to help group all related concepts.

Use mnemonic devices to remember information

Mnemonic devices are a memory technique often used by students to aid in recall. They involve associating new information with simpler information or information you already know. The best mnemonics are those that use unusual, unforgettable mental associations, involve visual pictures, and make information familiar and meaningful. For example, you might come up with a rhyme, song, or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.  Three types of mnemonic devices include visual images, associations, and acronyms. 

Elaborate and rehearse the information you are studying

In order to recall information, you need to use encoding to get the information into long-term memory.  Effective encoding techniques are known as elaborative rehearsal. An example might be reading a definition of a key term, study the definition and then read a more detailed description that provides the definition and gives an example and non-example of the term. After repeating this process a few times, you should notice that recall of the information is much easier. 

Try to relate new information to things you already know

When you are studying new material, think about how this information relates to things that you already know. By establishing relationships between new ideas and previously stored memories, new information is more likely to be stored in long-term memory which means you can dramatically increase the likelihood of recalling the new information. 

Use visualizationSince 80-85% of the population are visual learners, many people benefit greatly from visualizing the information they study. Pay attention to the images, charts, and other graphics in the textbooks and/or class material.  If the instructor does not provide visual cues to help, try creating your own. Draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes or use different colored highlighters or pens to group related ideas in your study materials.

Teach other peopleResearch has proven that reading materials out loud significantly improves memory. Research also suggests that having students teach new concepts to others

enhances understanding and recall. You might use this in your own studies by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or study partner.

Spend extra time on difficult informationWhen you come across an especially difficult concept, spend some extra time memorizing and understanding the information.  If you want to be able to use new information in the future, you might want to devote some time to further research certain portions of the material that seem more difficult for you to understand.  For example, simply memorizing a math formula will not help you on the test if you can’t understand how to apply it to find the right answer.

Occasionally alter your study routineAnother great way to increase the recall of information is to occasionally change your study routine. If you have a habit of studying in a particular location, try moving to a new spot during your next study session.  By occasionally changing your study sessions, you can increase the effectiveness of your efforts and significantly improve your long-term recall.

Get some sleepResearchers have long advised about the importance of sleep, not only for our health but for memory and learning as well.  Actually, some recent research has shown that taking a short power nap after you learn something new can actually help you learn faster and remember better.  It appears sleeping after learning something new can actually lead to physical changes in the brain. So, perhaps you should consider getting a good night’s rest if you are struggling to learn new information. 

Improving Reading Comprehension

Here’s a few things to help!Pre-readBefore reading a text, complete a pre-reading survey for a brief summary. Pre-reading will provide an idea of what to expect in the chapter.  It will also make your reading more productive. First, read the introduction and spend some time reviewing the table of contents. Then, read all the section and chapter headings and any text that is italicized or highlighted with bold print. This beginning process will allow you to focus on the general information, and that will make it easier to understand the specifics of the read later on.

Determine a PurposeIf you set a purpose or objective for reading, you will be more focused on the most important concepts. This will also help you classify information as essential and/or nonessential in which will maximize the time you spend studying.

Read the TextIn college, your instructor may not specifically tell you to read the material, but it is understood that you know to do that.  So, after completing your pre-reading, determine your purpose, and proceed with reading the text. Although research says actually saying the word slows your reading pace, many people feel they comprehend the material better when they read it out loud.

Take notes and highlight important conceptsTaking notes and/or highlighting key concepts not only provide study material, but it also provides a way to better remember what you're studying.  Practicing effective note-taking skills will allow you to access the material quickly for future reference.

Post ReadingAfter reading a text, take time to review the material you read. This will help you better internalize what you've learned which will help you retain the material for future reference. This review will also help clarify the more difficult text so you won't just spend time trying to memorize unclear concepts that you may or may not be able to apply later on a specific assignment.

How’s the Vocab???

In High School, you could get by using only simple vocabulary. Your teacher probably cringed on your poem about the color blue (blueberries are blue, and when you are sad, you’re blue too…)but she gave you an A for effort. College is a completely different story! You have to sound like you have a brain (whether you have one or not) and it will help you understand the more difficult material along with make you SOUND smart.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR VOCAB Read Regularly

It’s probably not surprising that students with extensive vocabularies are usually constantly reading. New vocabulary words are picked up by reading books, magazines, and other publications. As you encounter unfamiliar words, try to determine the word meanings by evaluating the context of the sentence.  Clues in surrounding sentences can also help you decipher word meanings. 

Personalize itIf you can relate words to your life, it will make them easier to remember. The best way to do this is to associate new learned words with things you already know.  The best way to remember new vocabulary words is for you to develop creative strategies.

Employ Word GamesWord games are an effective strategy for increasing vocabulary. Students usually devote more time studying when it's enjoyable. There are many apps and web tools that provide access to vocabulary word games.

Word RepetitionOne of the best ways to increase vocabulary is through repetition. Throughout the day, continually practice using a word you're trying to learn so you can embed it within your long-term memory. You might try writing down a word multiple times on a piece of paper to memorize it. You might also create a sentence with the new word.

Effective Note Taking Skills

If you take sucky notes, how are you going to study??? In order to be successful in college, you need to take very neat notes that you can understand.Here’s a few tips on how to take great notes

Take Clear and Accurate NotesMake sure to take legible and accurate notes.  Students who keep accurate notes can review them during scheduled study times. Effective notes enable students to concentrate on the specific topics provided by the instructor.

Be Prepare for ClassStudents who are properly prepared for class usually take better notes. To be properly prepared, students should complete all assigned readings prior to class, and spend time daily to review notes from previous lectures. Students who do this will effectively grasp the concepts being discussed as well as be prepared for new topics.

Compare your NotesIn order to ensure your notes are as accurate and detailed as possible, take the time to compare them with the notes of other students in the class. This is useful because your classmates could write down lecture details that you forgot or missed. This strategy will make classroom notes more thorough and precise.

Minimize any DistractionsEffective note takers avoid distractions in the classroom. They don’t sit in spots with distractions.  Instead, they strive to stay focused on what is happening in the classroom.

Organize your NotesOrganizing your notes by the date, class, and subject makes it easier to locate specific lecture materials. Another good idea is to keep information from different dates and classes separated.  You might also want to begin each class with a new piece of paper.

Use Abbreviations and SymbolsSince instructors can cover a lot of information during each lecture, it can be difficult for students to accurately jot everything down. For this reason, it is a good idea to use symbols, abbreviate long words, and write short phrases in your notes. It might be a good idea to create a key of your most commonly used abbreviations, so you will not forget them.

Write ClearlyNotes are useless if they're unreadable, so it is important to use good penmanship when taking notes. Leave plenty of space to add clarification of important details after the class period has ended.

Review Your Notes OftenIn order to retain new information, research says it is best to review your notes right after class. This will help you better understand the lecture and enable you to have time to focus on what you just learned for a longer period of time which increases the chances of long-term retention.

Write Down Any QuestionsBecause the college class period is usually fast-paced, it is a good idea to write down any questions you have so you will remember to ask them after class or during subsequent lectures.  Since technology is at our fingertips 24/7, you might be able to answer several of your questions by a quick search on the internet.

Guide for Studying Math

The Struggle is RealUnlike other academic subjects, you can't excel or even become proficient at math by just employing effective listening and reading skills. Math requires you to be actively involved.  To effectively master math, you must do all homework and assignments. If you don't do the homework or complete assignments, you won't memorize the formulas or internalize the process and procedures required to become really proficient in math. 

Math is a very sequential subject. Every day builds on what you learned previously. If you miss any of the building blocks, you can't progress. If you have poor attendance in a math class, you will fall behind which can be detrimental to the learning process.  Keep in mind that math is one subject where cramming will do very little to help you pass your math tests.  Make sure you stay caught up! 

Math becomes increasingly complex over every passing class period. In order to have success in this subject, many students have to spend more time studying math than any of their other subjects. So be committed to the time it might take to successfully pass the course. 

Math involves so many formulas, equations and procedures.  For this reason, trying to use memorization in math is usually unproductive.  Instead, early on, focus on developing a good understanding of all the major concepts. 

Because each math lesson builds on the previous lesson, try to apply what you've learned previously to each new problem you encounter. 

As already been mentioned, math has a vocabulary all its own. Take the time to create a math vocabulary log where you write down and define each new math vocabulary term you encounter. 

Many students quickly conclude that they just aren't cut out for math or that they just can't understand it. Although this may seem like the case, math actually just requires a lot of patience, discipline, and dedication. If you dedicate yourself, believe in yourself and put the appropriate effort into learning the material, you will make it through math.  Who knows, you might even discover that you actually like it. 

The best strategy when dealing with math is to ask for help early on if you need it. Use your teacher as a resource, talk with other students, or find a tutor. 

Test Taking Skills

Start preparing for the test long before the test day. Complete reading assignments and review lecture notes daily.

Make sure you schedule time for studying. Although work and other activities can consume large portions of your day, make sure you set time aside to prepare for tests.

Listen for clues from the instructor that might provide possible test questions. Attend and participate in any test review sessions provided by the instructor, and ask questions about unclear concepts.

Make sure you know exactly what subjects or topics you will be tested on during the exam.

On test day, show up to class early.  Right before the exam could be a good time to listen to any last minute tips, instructions, or content discussion by the instructor or other classmates.

Daily review lecture notes, reading assignments, and other materials that will prepare you for the exam.

Remember to get plenty of rest and exercise regularly.  Researchers have shown that these two components will enhance your ability to perform well on a test. Also, make sure you eat a nutritious meal prior to taking a test so you will be alert and focused.

Never try to stay up all night to study for a test. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before a test. Although it may seem spending extra time the night before will improve your score, showing up to a test tired can actually be detrimental to your score.

Use your learning style to find the best way to memorize key facts and other information that could possibly be on the test.

Never arrive late to an exam.  It is not a good idea to be rushing around right before taking a test.  Stress can affect your ability to recall information.

Below are some simple strategies for improving test performance:

Take good notes Review your notes daily. Develop effective time management skills Start reviewing early for an exam. Test yourself. Practice good test taking strategies.

Time Management

To be a great college student, you need to micromanage your time! Create different schedules for your personal and academic life in balance.

Create a Semester Calendar

At the start of each semester, prepare a calendar that covers the entire semester. Your calendar should include:

All assignments with their due dates Tests with their dates All school related activities as well as personal and extra-curricular

activities 

Prepare a Weekly Schedule

You should prepare a weekly schedule at the beginning of each week. Create your weekly schedule each Sunday but be prepared to update your schedule as needed as the week progresses. First, make sure each of your classes is recorded on your weekly schedule.  Next, write down the tasks that need to be done that are also listed in your semester calendar.  When reviewing your class notes and schedules from previous weeks, make sure you document anything that is carried over from the previous week.  Also include any personal or extra-curricular activities you’ll be participating in during the week.  Finally, make sure you include the day and time for each weekly assignment, study session, project, etc.  

Prepare a Daily Schedule

In order to effectively manage your time you also need to prepare a daily schedule. Every evening, prepare a daily schedule for the next day.  To prepare your daily schedule, note everything you need to complete the following day.  Make sure you transfer any items you did not complete the day before. Include any personal or extra-curricular activities for that day, and check your daily schedule often to make sure you are staying on task.  

Effective Essay Writing

College requires you to write complex and demanding essays. An essay is a written composition where you are required to express a specific idea, and then you must support it with facts, statements, analysis and explanations. The basic essay format is known as the five paragraph essay.

IntroductionThe introduction is the first paragraph of the essay. It introduces the reader to the idea that the essay will address. It should be written so that it captures the readers’ attention and interest. The first sentence of the introduction paragraph should be as interesting as possible. The rest of the sentences should clarify the opening statement. Conclude the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement. A thesis statement outlines what you intend to prove in your essay and should be clear, concise, specific, and/or take a position.

BodyThe body of the essay consists of three paragraphs. Each paragraph will address one of the main points that support your thesis statement. The first paragraph of the body should put forth your strongest argument and support your thesis. You should start the paragraph with the supporting idea. Follow with additional sentences that contain evidence and/or examples that further explain your supporting idea. Finish the paragraph with a concluding sentence that sums up what you've discussed in the paragraph.

The second body paragraph will follow the same format as the first body paragraph. This second paragraph should put forth your second strongest argument that supports your thesis statement. The third body paragraph, like the other two, will contain your third strongest argument that supports your thesis statement. Just as the first and second paragraph in the body, the last sentence of the third paragraph should sum up what you've discussed in the paragraph, but it should also indicate to the reader that the paragraph contains the final supporting argument.

Conclusion

The final paragraph of the five paragraph essay is the conclusion

paragraph.   This paragraph restates your thesis statement but uses slightly different wording than in your introduction. This paragraph summarizes the three arguments presented in the body of the essay. The last sentence in the conclusion paragraph should communicate that your essay has ended. After reading your concluding paragraph, the reader should know that you're confident that you've proven your thesis statement.