Studying Techniques In College

The new college student must realize that college is very different from there high school days. They must maintain the studying techniques in college that were developed throughout their time in high school. They have freedoms to do as they please, go where they wish, and do as they wish. Theses freedoms will interfere with their studies if they are not disciplined to practice time management. It is necessary to have great time management skills. A college student has a greater amount of free time and it is necessary for them to have a weekly calendar to effectively manage their time over the semester. They need to set priorities, keep their weekly planner current, plan specific study times, learn to say no and take advantage of any amount of free time to review your notes. Use the organization skills from high school such as having 3×5 cards for notes, three notebook divide into sections with pocket folders label with the subject. Make sure there is a copy of the syllabus for each course, your notes dated and numbered, handouts, returned quizzes and assignments. When it is time to study for a test, you will have all of the needed information in your notebook and won’t have done much research.




Another studying techniques in college is the text book. Most high school courses you just received a handout from the teacher but you didn’t have a book to refer to, but in college you purchase the book or books for the courses. Be very selective when purchasing your books because if it is a used book you need to make sure there is very little highlighted or underlined so as not to confuse your attempts at highlighting or underling. As you read you need to ask questions about what you are reading, how it applies to you subject and maybe jot down the information in a notebook or on 3×5 cards to help in your review for class participation and later exams that will be given. Learning takes place through reinforcement and review; you can’t remember what the text is simply reading it once. Time management, organization and proper reading of your text are excellent studying techniques in college.

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How To Study

All through our lives we need to know how to study. The foundation for how to study should start in the upper elementary grades. This foundation is then built upon through middle school and high school and by the time you are in college you are still learning how to study. There are several how to study skills that should be mastered in order to attain the grades desired. Two of the important how to study skills are organization, and time management. These are in no particular order of importance, all of equal value. There are other study skills but these are the mainstay of good grades and ease of study. Each skill will be briefly discussed to give and idea of the importance of each.




The principles of organization can be connected to time management because they go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. Establish a study area where it is free of distraction, you have all the tools necessary to accomplish your homework. However, one of the first things is to organize your backpack, locker or wherever your papers will be handy for review. A suggestion in is to color code your folder for each class for instance RED for English, BLUE for Math, ORANGE/YELLOW for History and GREEN for Science. Each folder will contain handouts, notes and the syllabus for each class but some teacher may require a three notebook which is fine, just so you keep that class work in the notebook. The study area should contain all the tools you need such as pencils, pens, dictionary, computer paper and whatever else you may need. Time Management is crucial for any student who is involved in many activities. The first thing is to get a calendar with blank spaces for each day of the semester. Once you have the syllabus for each class you need to plot paper due date, dates of exams, due dates of projects and then plot all of the other activities you have in that semester. You need to put dates for fun times. Remember to include break time into your review and study times; study time should not last more than an hour. Ten to fifteen minute breaks are a must to give yourself a chance to reflect on what you are studying. As a reminder cramming for a test does is will only get you lost sleep. Manage your time wisely and stay organized. These are two skills that teach you how to study.

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Improve Your Study Skills

There are many ways to improve your study skills but let us look at the negative side of studying. The side that sometimes puts road blocks in your way to study effectively. Maybe by discussing what the negative habits do for you, you will consider turning them into positive study skills. Most of these are traps that you get locked into and are not sure which way to go. In order for these negative study skills to become positive study skills you have think about erase the negativity from your brain. In other words change the negative thought into positive thoughts on how to accomplish a study skills thus you improve your study skills. The way I would accomplish the problem is by getting rid of the negative words. Following are some examples that will help you right the negative ship.

The first negative study problem is no knowing where to begin, just take control and make a list of things that must be done on a daily basis. When everything is noted on the calendar, chunk the items into manageable pieces, so you know the schedule of your time to study a particular subject. Get a calendar and note the date, times and places you need to be each week, and then fill in the subjects and the time for study. Stop complaining about having too much to study and attack the books, making notes as you read, underline important facts that were discussed in class and review your work on a daily basis. If you think there is too much to study remember to do outlines, summaries, flash card and emphasize the relationship among the sections. All the research to improve your study skills places emphasizes on two things you must never do and that is to stay up all night cramming for a test and avoid mental exhaustion. The only thing that study all night gets you is a lot of missed sleep. The mental exhaustion can be avoided just by reviewing the material on a daily basis, and then come exam time a rested brain has chance at the recall of important material. This is just a few ways that you can improve your study skills, just ditch the negative ideas, and turn them into positive ideas.

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Effective Study Skills

Effective Study Skills guarantees a student to obtain good grades. They are the basis base for a sound education. A student needs to understand what effective study skills are and how to employ them in their educational pursuit. Study Skills are a technique that aids the student to be an effective learner. Some students have an innate ability to be naturally possessing good study skills but most students do not. Effective study skills can be learned but need to be practiced until they are second nature to the student. Effective study skills such as time management, active listening reading comprehension, presentation skills, memory techniques, critical thinking skills research and evaluation, writing skills whether natural skill or one that is learned must be fine-tuned and developed to be effective. Effective study skills must be taught because they add results of one or two grades for the student. A dictionary definition of education is “the imparting and acquiring of knowledge through teaching and learning.” Other factors besides effective study skills have an impact on the student’s education, such as social, economic and cultural backgrounds have tremendous influence for young people’s ability to access a basic education. However, access to education is no guarantee for success. The most effective study skills student must possess are discussed below.

A studying technique that was introduced by Francis Pleasant Robinson in his book “Effective Study” is another aide to studying made simple. This is almost a full proof method to help you remember the material for a long time. The method is called SQRRR or SQ3R and these five letters stand for Survey, Question Read, Recite and Review. To begin you survey the chapter or material, read the introduction and summary, and the headings and subheadings which helps your understanding of what is to come. The question is where you ask questions about what you just read. Questions like: what are the key points or what if anything should I commit to memory. The first R is read but actively read the chapter underling or highlight important passages or formulas and then summarize in your own words in notebook. Just be an active reader. The second R is recite: answer out loud to the question you came up with earlier. Remember it better to say things out loud and then write the answers in notebook. The last R is review which you must do on a daily basis. Recite your key concepts and formulas this helps to fix the information in your mind for later recall. If you practice these studying techniques you will reach your goal.

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Middle School Study Skills

When a student reaches middle school their school life changes, they are not in one room with the same teacher, they have a different teacher for every subject they are taking, and to top that off they have the beginnings of raging hormones. One teacher might mention that they need to study for a quiz and does the student know the best study skill to use to study for the quiz. Middle school study skills that a student needs for Friday quizzes are the foundation skills for high school and college. Most middle school students won’t ask for help because they want their independence but it is best to give them advice anyway. They need to know that organization will help them succeed and once they are organized they can add different skills to help them.

They should have a place to study that is free of distraction and is big enough to accommodate all of the material needed. They need to develop a system to keep important papers for each class in a color code folder and even the notes from lectures can be kept in that folder. Use of a planner or calendar is helpful to keep track of important dates. Use flash cards with important information to review daily. Have a study pal quiz you on the information. Read and reread, always highlight your notes. The next thing you do is summarize in your own words important information, then read your notes aloud so that you can say and do the important information. Organize your papers so you have all that is need for the subject and outline or make a giant graphic version of your work. It is wise to make list, columns, Venn diagram and whatever else will help you remember the material. Write memory work several times because what you say and do will stay with you say it aloud and then write it, write it your memory. Review past quizzes, study guides and returned assignments for clues as to why the same mistakes are made. Middle school study skills lay the foundation for your future school career in high school and college and even your future career.

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Study Skills For High School

The following Study Skills for high school whether you are a freshman or a senior is an important time to learn good study habits and improve studying techniques. These study skills, if mastered. Will help you succeed in college. Each study skill for high school can be developed to fit the college curriculum, so high school students should practice these study skills. The following study skills for high school are briefly discussed but not in the order of preference as to their importance.

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One study skill is time management and organization. These two skills go together because in order manage your time you must use organizational skills to get there. Many teachers recommend a planner to enter important dates like when papers are due, projects, tests, and of course you’re other activities and free time. Calendar charts for the semester make an excellent time management tool. Learn what works best for in the learning process. Ask yourself if there is a better method, analyze your study habits and see if you can discover a better way. One thing to keep in mind for test preparation is does not cram. Cramming is a good way to lose sleep, it is better to study your notes each day. One skill that is most important is to attend class on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the only dub question is one that is not asked. Form a study group so you can get someone else clarifying opinion on a problem you may be having. Explain your point as a way to grasp the meaning of a problem you might have. Practice your writing skills and note taking study skills because they will be helpful if you are headed to college. The best study area is to have multiple places that you can head to which helps avoid boredom. If these study skills for high school are developed and practiced your grades will increase and college study will be easier.

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Note Taking Skills

Note taking skills should be top priority for all students to learn. Note taking skills will help a student do well in school from a test taking time to those research paper that are due at the end of the semester. It is important to sharpen your note taking skills throughout your school career. Start early in elementary school, begin with simple notes or pictures that represent what the teacher is saying. And progress from there. To be a good note taker you have to listen to the person presenting the material. By listening this gives the student the opportunity to make the material their own which enhances the understanding of the material. It is a good idea and to put definitions in your own words to get a better understanding.

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One note taking skill all middle, high school and college student should do is before classes become familiar with what will be present that day in class. Read the material and make notes so you can fill in your from the lecture. Other tips for good note taking skills are not to write everything down that you read or hear. You only want the main points and not the trimmings. Make sure notes have key words or short sentences. Take as accurate as possible the information; use your own words without changing the meaning. Don’t take notes just to write something down be sure it is relevant to the material being presented. Try your best to be uniform in punctuation and abbreviations that make sense to you. Keep your notes short and to the point making it easy for you can readily grasp it. If you miss a point, just leave space so you can go back later to fill in the missing information. Keep your note in a three ring notebook with, loose leaf paper and only write one side. Date all of your entries so you know which day you had problems and can ask questions of the teacher before the exam. Rework your notes but above all do not and I will repeat do not recopy your notes. At this time you should be just adding or clarifying the information in your notes. Review your note on a daily basis as this is the only way to achieve a lasting memory. So practice your Note Taking Skills daily.

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Math Study Skills

It is important to have effective Math Study Skills to succeed. One of the most important things to remember is to attend math class every day. Problems are worked out by the instructor that you may have a problem with in your studies and if you miss the class where the problem is addressed you will miss others who may be stuck just like you. Some of the study tips discussed have been discussed before but they are important for students to develop a system that works for them, leads to better grades and knowledge of math that will carry you through to college graduation and a job. These math study skills provide a foundation for math, science and any other subject a student takes.

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A practice that will help in understanding the math lecture is reading over the material to be presented in that days class. It will provide answers to your questions or create new questions to be asked. Make notes of the reading, especially any definitions provided or formulas presented. The next thing a student should do is organize either a spiral bound or loose leaf note book for note taking. The preferred note book is a loose leaf one because you can arrange the notes according to subject or formula and definitions. It is important to keep both homework and class notes in the same note book; at the same time mentally follow the lecture trying to understand the concepts and principles that are presented. Remember that when the feeling of panic or you feel lost ask questions but you must have definite questions written down about an area where you are stuck. There is no dumb question but only dumb question that is not asked. So ask your Teacher to go over the material or problem again. As you review your math notes an important concept to remember is to say and do. We remember less when reading, a little more of what we see but when we say and do it inscribes the material in our memory. Don’t forget to write up summary sheets of math terminology and formulas to be reviewed often. Math study skills will give you the confidence that leads to success in math.

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Essential Study Skills

Essential Study Skills are learned in elementary school and developed as the student progresses through middle school, high school and college. The student should improve and practice the essential study skills every year. These study skills need to become automatic in the day to day pursuit of a student’s education. Essential study skills that form the basis of a student’s school career are: the best study time, organizing the material of the class, master the skill of note taking, develop a study schedule, and learn proper research skills. Of the five essential study skills listed here note taking, proper research skills, and organization are the most important skills to master because the others will fall into place.



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The student must experiment different times to find what best suits them as far as the right time to sit down with the books. Not all students study alike or at the same time. By experimenting at different times the student will find the right time for study. It could be immediately after school of it may be just before bedtime but the student must be comfortable with the time selected. In the beginning most students are not in possessing of organization skills. The best to learn how to organize is in elementary school. Each student should have folders of various colors one for each subject they study and maintain the hand outs for each subject in the folder. Note taking can be simple in the beginning but must develop as the student progresses through school. Start out with just trying to capture the highlights of a class and as the student becomes proficient they can develop their own method. All students need to develop a study schedule listing everything they do each day to find open time to enter study time. Remember also to record Tests, project due dates and other important due dates. The last essential study skill is learning to do proper research for those upcoming term papers. This is where the use of three by five cards comes in handy. The underlying method in essential study skills is to develop and practice each skill until it is a part of your daily routine

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