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College students everywhere struggle to balance homework and extracurricular activities. I’ve heard people say, “I study so much but my grade doesn’t improve” and “I think I study too much”. Last fall, I tried five different note-taking methods and hybrid variations. My goal was finding which method improved my exam grade the most. You see, my schedule was pretty much filled with work, so I only had time to take notes and do my homework (sometimes). I enjoy being in class and engaging with the professor and writing new material in different ways. But, homework has always been...tedious.
You've probably had a class that that gave A TON of homework, WAY more than your other classes, so the time you would've spent studying is instead devoted to that. What's worse is when those assignments don't count for anything, and are instead your teacher's way of "helping" you study. You may be an avid note-taker, but it's time to become a pro at studying. Here are some helpful habits, to get you started.
1. Calculate How Long You Need to Study
Once I’m done with classes, work, officer responsibilities, and complete my homework I had around four hours of free time left to study each week. I spent those four hours focusing on whichever exam was closest. Clearly, I did not have time to study. My goal for this semester is to log at least 10 hours a week, and now that my work schedule has changed, I have time to do so.
According to Intelligent, we’re technically supposed to study for two hours per one hour we spend in class (or three hours, depending on your workload) and since we spend three hours in each class each week (9 hrs to 12 hrs total) we should aim for at least 24 hours of studying each week. These 24 hours would be divided into four 3 hours of studying and three 4 hours of studying each week. For example:
- Sun: 3 hours
- Mon: 4 hours
- Tues: 4 hours
- Wed: 4 hours
- Thurs: 3 hours
- Fri: 3 hours
- Sat: 3 hours
- Total: 24 hours
10 hours isn’t even half of 24 hours, but it’s a stepping stone. Instead of going all in the first week, I’ll be adding hours in intervals until I reach 24 hours of studying. As motivation, I’ll be eliminating onion rings, cheeseburgers, and hamburgers from my diet. This will keep me focused and help me be healthier. My reward each week will be one soda from the pop machine each week (lemonade is heaven’s water). You don’t have to sacrifice food for motivation, but I am. I know myself, and I want to change for the better.
If you already study 24 hours, good job! Do you study for longer? You may be studying for too long. There is a point in which your brain needs to rest, and it’s not just during sleep. Read more if this sound like you.
2. Mark your Calendars
We’ve gone over the importance of time management, but now it’s time for a test. Do you have your due dates, quiz and exam dates marked? What are your priorities? Did you leave enough time to complete your all your homework before they’re due? How about enough time to study? Now that you know how long you need to study, it’s time to plan how long you want to study. My goal went up by six hours, but how long you need depends on you and your schedule. Make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself, but that you are pushing yourself. Aim for that happy-medium.
3. Time Yourself in Intervals
3. Time Yourself in Intervals
When it comes to studying, you have to pace yourself to better measure your progress and keep your focus. If you do anything for too long for too often it becomes repetitive and you lose interest. By working in intervals of 20, 30, or 45 minutes you allow yourself to rest and reward yourself along the way. Make sure to read Bridget’s article on the Pomodoro Method for more information.
4. Study in Different Ways
I want to study better, which means studying smarter. What works for one class may not work for the next. Heck, it may not even work for that class after a while. It’s important to find what works for you, get into a routine, and make room for changes when necessary. Read more if you want to know the different study methods and the research backing them up.
5. Study in Different Locations
Dorms are wonderful places to study since they are equipped with desks and lamps, but what if you just can't stay focused? We sleep, eat, and hang out with friends in our dorms, and most of us have roommates which can make things hectic. Sometimes a change in scenery is all you need to revitalize yourself, and stay ahead of procrastination. Armstrong-Douglas lobby was a favorite of mine, my Freshman year, because of the many whiteboards and natural light. The library, classrooms, Upper Gage, and any other place that peaks your interest could be your new study location. The best part is you can change your mind and study someplace else anytime.
Well, this is all the advice I have for now. It’s important to prioritize your work before anything else, and it’s much easier for me to get through all of my work when I change study locations. Feel free to comment down below any of the ways you study. Until next time, have a good day!
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