If you’re looking for the best college study tips, you’re in the right place.
College can be intimidating because there’s so much going on.
Between studies, socializing, and figuring out how to not be a hot mess, college life can get a little messy sometimes.
As a dean’s list student in my senior year, I’ve gathered my top tips for a successful freshman year.
This post lists my top 15 college study tips.
1. Plan everything
Planning and organization skills are tools that will put you ahead through all four years of college and beyond.
College professors will not remind you of every deadline.
It’s your responsibility to know what is due when and prepare ahead of time.
If you put in the extra work to plan, you will be a lot less stressed in the long run.
So how do you plan?
Keep it simple.
Get a planner and write down all the due dates from the syllabus.
Review it daily, and get to work!
Related: How to Win at Online Class in College
2. Be a front seater
When you’re in a class of 200 people and you have a question for the professor, it’s a lot more intimidating to ask if you’re sitting in the back.
Being able to engage with professors is extremely important.
If you push yourself to be a front seater, you will consistently perform better.
Did you know?
The Hawthorne effect tells us that individuals alter their behavior and perform better when they know they are being observed.
So if you’re a front seater, it’s less likely you’ll be watching cat videos during class.
3. Use a Pomodoro Timer
I’m a college senior and this is still saving my life.
Having short but consistent study breaks built into your study time reduces the chance of your “break” turning into a 20-minute scrolling session.
This technique consists of 25 minutes of focused work followed by 5-minute breaks.
Since I started using this technique, it has worked miracles on my productivity on days when I just don’t feel like getting anything done.
I set a 25-minute timer and get to work. After all, it’s only 25 minutes.
Once the timer ends, I’ve usually built momentum and want to continue working.
I use this Pomodoro browser extension for ease.
4. Have a dedicated workspace
Your bed is for sleep, not calculus.
It’s so much easier to focus when you’re in a space you’ve created specifically to study.
Study in the library or on a desk.
And keep your study area free of clutter. A cluttered space = a cluttered brain.
Try to minimize the clutter on your computer as well for improved focus. In other words, don’t have 20 tabs open.
Related: 7 Ways to Prepare for an Epic Semester
5. Start studying well in advance
You might think you get a free pass on the first week.
It’s just syllabus week, right?
Wrong.
If you slack in the beginning, it’s so much harder to catch up when the work starts to pile up.
Don’t put yourself in that situation.
Get your assignments done early. If you put in the work consistently, you’ll never have to lose your mind cramming or pulling an all-nighter before an exam.
6. Utilize time blocking
Having a consistent schedule will keep you sane when you’re being pulled in so many different directions.
If you have a dedicated time for everything, you’ll be able to prioritize the different areas of your life.
For example, this is how I schedule my day right now in quarantine:
- 8:00am – 9:00 am : Morning Routine
- 9:00am -12:00 pm : Study session I
- 12:00pm – 2:00pm : Work out + break for lunch
- 2:00pm – 4:00 pm : Study session II
- 4:00pm – 7:00pm : Online class
- 7:00pm – 9:00pm : Dinner + family time
- 9:00pm – 11:00pm : Work on blog + night routine
7. Write your notes by hand
While this varies from class to class, I will forever stand by this tip.
I have always found that when writing notes by hand, I actively recall what I write as I’m writing and understand the concepts better.
Additionally, I am also more selective about my handwritten notes rather than typing everything from a lecture.
8. Read the textbook
If you want to learn, don’t stop at the PowerPoint slides.
The truth is, college is mostly self-learning. Depending on your major, professors help a lot– but at the end of the day, how much you take from a class is completely up to you.
While most students may get by without reading the textbook, taking the time to read it will clear up most of the concepts you’re confused about.
During my freshman year, I got straight A’s in classes that most students struggled to pass.
And I believe it’s because I relied on myself to learn, and not just the professor.
If you get stuck, don’t give up. Look up YouTube videos, read up on the topic, and keep trying to learn.
9. Skim through assignments ahead of time
So you know exactly how much time you need to dedicate to it.
This is so important.
Because you don’t want to start a homework that requires 10 hours of intense focus the day it’s due.
Trust me, I’ve been there. And it’s not fun.
10. Remove distractions
By removing all distractions, you force yourself to focus.
Also if your phone is right in front of you (yes, face down counts), being distracted is inevitable.
As creatures of habit, we reach for what is easy.
So if you want to focus, make it difficult to be distracted.
Turn off your phone, put it away. Lock your door. Put up a “Do not Disturb” sign.
I’m serious.
11. Teach the topic to someone else
If you have to memorize something or are struggling to understand a concept, try teaching it to someone else.
Or even to yourself.
During my time in high school, I had to memorize a lot of material.
So I would end up explaining concepts to myself out loud until it seemed simple.
12. Study alone
This might not work for everyone, but I’ve found that I study best in isolation.
While studying with friends or in groups can be valuable, they can also be quite distracting.
If you’re going to study in groups, try skimming through the topics/assignments in advance so you have a good idea of the subject when it’s time to group study.
In case you’re unprepared when it comes to group studying, it can be an inefficient use of your time since there are many distractions.
13. Go to office hours
Going to office hours costs nothing.
But this is an incredible resource if you need help.
Make use of your professors and their knowledge by visiting them during office hours.
This will also help you build relationships with your professors, which is always a plus and will be extremely valuable down the line.
14. See your advisor regularly
By regularly, I mean at least once a semester and preferably well in advance of registration (for the next semester).
This is crucial because it will help you plan what classes you need to take in the future to stay on track.
It will also allow you to prepare for registration early, pick the right classes, and the best professors available.
15. Prioritize
This is one of the biggest college study tips I’ve learned.
Yes, you’re a college student with other things to do.
But remember why you’re in college and prioritize studying.
If it comes down to studying for an exam or a night out with friends, prioritize studying.
Or if you have the option to go to bed early or watch a late-night movie, prioritize your health and sleep.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself, have fun, and consistently work on building better habits.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself, have fun, and consistently work on building better habits.
There you have it– my top 15 college study tips for a successful freshman year– from a senior in college.
What’s are some of the best college study tips you’ve implemented? I’d love to try them myself so please leave them in the comments below!