Q&A for How to Develop Good Study Habits for College

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  • Question
    How should a college student study?
    Ted Dorsey, MA
    Ted Dorsey, MA
    Master's Degree, Education, University of California Los Angeles
    Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
    Ted Dorsey, MA
    Master's Degree, Education, University of California Los Angeles
    Expert Answer
    When you're in college, you're responsible for motivating yourself to study. In college, you get less oversight from your superiors, so you have to find ways of studying on your own. Your entire grade for a course might just be the midterm and the final, and if you haven't done the work leading up to that moment, you're going to be scrambling at the end. Break up your studying into chunks, and schedule time each day to go over the material. Building those habits is a gift to yourself, because they're practical skills that will pay off in your adult life.
  • Question
    How can I pay my full attention in college even if I feel bored?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Remember your goals and try to apply your lessons to your life.
  • Question
    How to study when you absolutely struggle to concentrate?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try a relaxation technique. Let be physical exercise or meditation, help your mind to relax first, and then it should be easier to concentrate. Give yourself smaller goals -- like working for 20 minutes straight, then taking 2-3 minutes off. Build up to longer levels of concentration over time.
  • Question
    How can I memorize the lessons for a long period of time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This is only possible through continuous study. Read through the lesson and take notes (if the lesson is too big, then you can divide into small parts). Read it again an hour later and look over your notes. Keep doing this until you can remember it all just by looking at your notes. Continue to do this every day or every other day for as long as you need to remember it or until you have it memorized.
  • Question
    Can I study from just my own notes?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Of course! It may be useful to look at other classmates' notes as well, however; they might have written down different key concepts. Consider hosting a study session where everyone can share notes and what they have learned.
  • Question
    How many hours do I need to sleep at night?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    6-7 hours of sleep per night is probably enough for someone in college, but everyone is different, you may find you need more or less than that.
  • Question
    How can I study everything in one night?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Study the stuff that is highest priority first, or the stuff you don't know as well. Leave the material you know better for last in case you don't get to it. Study in a quiet place where you will not be distracted. Take a short break every hour or so, 5-10 minutes, clear your mind and breathe deeply.
  • Question
    How do I train myself to read the text when I don't like reading?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just divide the reading into sections, set a schedule for yourself, and stick to it. Make sure you schedule in short breaks every hour or so, but don't get distracted.
  • Question
    How can I stay focused on my studies?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    How to Focus on Studying has some excellent tips.
  • Question
    How can I continue to concentrate even if I experience stress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    First, try to get your mind on something else, something that you love, for a good few minutes to get your mind off stress. Next think about the thing you need to concentrate on, and your mind will be off the stress.
  • Question
    How do I manage my time in college to allow for hanging out with friends?
    Kiril Raychev
    Kiril Raychev
    Community Answer
    It can be difficult, but you can make a schedule for your activities during the day or long-term goals using a calendar app.
  • Question
    I know the subject, but I'm not getting good marks in it. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Either you don't know it as well as you think you do, or you're not studying as hard as you should be because you think you know everything already. Consider organizing a study group with your peers so you can work together and hold each other accountable, or talk to the professor about what you need to do to improve your marks.
  • Question
    What do I do when I study and can't pay attention?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Examine your current "study techniques" and try something different. My problem with college at first was that I didn't have to study much in high school, so when I got to college I didn't know how. As my classes changed I realized certain study techniques did not work, so I changed them. If your school offers any workshops or classes on effective studying, sign up for these, or do some research on the internet. The wikiHow article on How to Study is a good place to start.
  • Question
    Should I engage in group discussions to prepare for college, or can I study alone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you think you can manage studying alone, then go for it. Study groups can be beneficial, though. For example, if you don't understand a certain topic. Someone in your study group might and they can explain it to you.
  • Question
    Should I make my own notes or is reading the textbook sufficient?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends entirely on your learning style. Many people find that personalized notes are more helpful than just reading the textbook, so I would recommend trying it at least. However, if you don't like taking notes, then studying the textbook can be effective as well.
  • Question
    How do I get motivated to have good study habits if I know nobody is reading my work or grading according to it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Remember that you're studying for yourself. You're at college to learn so that you can be an intelligent person and pursue a career. You're also probably paying to be there. You don't want to waste your money do you?
  • Question
    How do I develop good study habits for college if I have ADHD?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try dividing the lesson into periods. For example, you can divide an exam that you need to study for 45 minutes into 15 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break periods. Also, using interesting methods while studying will increase the attention span.
  • Question
    I have a medical condition and take meds, which cause me to struggle with memory. It takes me longer to learn and remember things. I'm having trouble revising and passing tests. Is there a way to overcome this problem?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Using memory games can be very effective. The example given above of picturing your Aunt Jeanette walking around the Senate for example, is an example of what you can do. The more outrageous and ridiculous the image, the better it works- the brain loves novelty.
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