Study Skills
From LoveToKnow College
Get the Grades You Deserve
Each year, thousands of college freshman discover high school didn’t provide them with the study skills they’ll need to succeed in their postsecondary education. The teachers were too lenient, the research projects weren’t challenging enough, and the reading assignments were either minimal or nonexistent.
If you’re struggling to make the transition from high school senior to college freshman, you may need a crash course on developing good study habits. College is a time to discover your full potential. There’s no need to waste your time with ineffective study skills.
Study Skills Tips
Although everyone has a slightly different method of studying, there are a few basic tips you should keep in mind.
Make a Schedule
When it comes to completing your college coursework, schedules are a necessity. Schedules help you stay on top of your assignments. They keep you from wasting time watching TV, playing video games, or chatting with your friends. It doesn’t matter whether your schedule is written on a Post-It or neatly mapped out on your PDA. Just make a plan and stick to it.
Set Goals
Schedules help keep us motivated, but goals give us something to work for. Study skills experts recommend you set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals may include reading 100 pages per week, finding sources for an end-of-the-semester project, or contacting a classmate to obtain copies of notes from a class you missed. Long-term goals could include making the Dean’s List or being admitted to a specific academic major.
Go to Class
Without your mom acting as your alarm clock, it’s tempting to blow off your morning psychology class. But going to lectures will help you keep your grades up. If you’re too tired to take accurate notes, bring a small tape recorder to help fill in the gaps.
Pick the Right Time to Study
Study skills experts agree there’s no set time when you must study. Some people feel more alert and refreshed in the morning, while others prefer to hit the books in the evening hours. Pick the time that’s best for you.
Use the SQ3R Method
As you’re studying, remember the SQ3R Method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. Surveying the assignment, developing comprehension questions, carefully reading while highlighting or taking notes, reciting the answers to your questions, and reviewing important points before your next class will ensure you gain a thorough understanding of the material.
Improve Your Reading Speed
If you’re struggling to keep up with your reading assignments, you may need to work on improving your reading speed. The average person reads about 200 words per minute, but even increasing your speed to 250 words per minute will save you a significant amount of time each week. Take a free speed reading test online to learn more about how improving your reading speed will help you excel in the classroom.
Know When to Ask for Help
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no shame in asking for help. Nobody will think you’re stupid or uncool if you admit you’re struggling with the course material. In fact, with college tuition prices rising more each year, it only makes sense to take advantage of the professors, teaching assistants, tutors, and academic advisors who are paid to help you succeed.
Comments
M. Paradise,
As a fairly recent 4 year college graduate myself, I imagine your daughter is just experiencing a bit of natural anxiety about her life after high school. Her GPA sounds excellent and I imagine she's done more to earn those grades than she thinks. If she does start to struggle in college, however, there are plenty of tutors available. Free tutors are usually provided for students in danger of failing and there are often students willing to serve as paid tutors for those who simply want to get the best grades possible.
Dana Hinders
LoveToKnow Group Editor
-- Contributed by: DanahindersMy daughter is a highschool senior and is expressing a great deal of concern about attending a 4 year university because of her lack of study skills. Her grades have pretty much come easily to her. (about a 3.6 gpa) Any advice other than what's noted on the website?
Thanks!
-- Contributed by: M. ParadiseThis page has been accessed 519 times. This page was last modified 06:29, 18 July 2006.
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