College Students Guide to Improving Study Skills

Compared to high school, tests and exams are typically spread further apart. This means there will be a lot of material to cover for each test. Instead of trying to cover everything the night before (which doesn't lead to long-term learning and prevents you from getting a good night's rest), begin your test review at least a few days before the exam.

It's not surprising that students have trouble grasping new material the first time they receive exposure to it. Sometimes it takes a few tries to learn it or an alternative teaching method before it “clicks.” Find a tutor, use a study buddy or meet with the professor during office hours to get extra help. Do it well before test time!

It's easy for a group study session to turn into a social event if group members don't remind themselves to go over the course material. Set an agenda before the meeting begins and have a deadline to help stay on task. Otherwise, it's very easy for the group to meet for three hours and only spend 45 minutes actually going over the material.

The solution to this pitfall will depend on what kind of distractions are preventing studying from taking place. Turning off the television, radio or phone might be adequate. However, you might need to also turn off your computer or find a study cubicle deep in your college library where it's extremely quiet.

Staying up all night and sleeping in until noon is a rite of passage in college. However, to get the most out of studying, you should limit this type of sleep pattern. Studying is most effective when you get enough rest the night before. This might mean not going out as often or taking two days to binge watch an entire season of your favorite television show, but you'll notice a difference when you study.

This routine can refer to a variety of factors, such as time of day or location. It might include using a specific study cubicle on a particular floor in a library right after dinner. Or perhaps it includes going to the gym right before a study session to relax the body. Whatever it is, develop a routine. It will help with learning and make it easier to create a learning mindset before you actually study.

Taking notes and rereading the material is helpful, but it can lead to overconfidence. Instead, try to actively recall the information by removing access to the material, such as by closing the textbook and avoiding looking at the notes and course materials. Self-testing can include talking it through or writing down what has already been learned, then comparing it with what needs to be learned.

Never assume you can learn something new in class, never review it again, then have perfect recall of it on the test several weeks or months later. The human mind simply doesn't work that way. Instead, get organized and review the information gradually, over time, in small study sessions that help integrate all the material. These reviews might include rewriting notes, outlining, completing study exercises or rereading the material.

Nothing proves understanding better than teaching the material to someone else who doesn't understand it very well. This is one of the key advantages of study groups, as they provide the opportunity to explain key concepts to a fellow classmate. Not only does teaching it to someone else aid in retention and understanding, but any gaps or holes in understanding will quickly become evident when trying to teach it to someone else.

A practice test can not only help identify areas of weakness but can provide familiarity with the format and style of the test. Additionally, catching the wrong answers can help pinpoint where more studying needs to take place. Talk to the professor about practice tests that will accurately reflect the format and style that will be presented on exam day for even more test-taking study power.