Contributing Writer
Jocelyn Nystrom
Entering college students can find their established set of study skills to be inadequate.
College life tends to ebb and flow as the work load has its peak increments and limited declines.
Studying can be difficult for even the most disciplined students, but with the right developed routines, it can become an enjoyable experience that creates a sense of reward and accomplishment.
Here are five secrets to developing successful study habits.
1. Minimize distractions – If you want to maximize your GPA potential, you must do everything within your ability to ensure school is your top priority. If that means disabling your Facebook, Twitter, or “Farmville” account, so be it. Let’s face it, your investment of time in these technologies will derail you from your academic focus. However, investing in your education will pay incalculable dividends for your future. As one of my instructors humorously advises, “forget your boyfriend, forget your girlfriend. now is the time to work for your future.” If you are someone who is easily distracted, ditch your cell phone at home before coming to class, thereby eliminating the opportunity to be vulnerable to well-meaning friends and unanswered voicemails. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, it matters how much you get done. It’s not too late in these final weeks of school to implement this strategy.
2. Keep a calendar and follow it – Block out times for each assignment or subject and designate those time slots to studying or getting work done. According to goal-setting-guide.com, the more goal-setters utilize a prioritized list, the greater the chances that their to-do’s will be accomplished. Effectively tracking your routine and fine-tuning your regimen will keep motivation flowing. If you say to yourself, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” do it today. Think of each hour as being precious and spend it wisely.
3. Music and the brain – Listen to classical music while studying. Do what helps you focus best. According to sciencedaily, classical music activates different pathways in the brain, enhancing mood levels and increasing concentration and attentiveness. Some students find it relaxing and soothing. For others, it blocks out background noises or reduces thought distractions. Create an educational oasis for yourself and utilize this musical therapy resource.
4. Mix it up – Don’t stay in one spot. Venture out of your comfort zone and seek out places where you feel most comfortable. A quiet coffee shop patio with access to wifi, a secluded beach, or an internet cafe. Lets face it, college can become mundane and wearing. If you find yourself going through the motions with a loss of enthusiasm, find something that will inspire you to care. Sometimes, a change of scenery or a break from one subject to the next can do just that.
5. Get a Study BuddyStudy – buddies can be lifesavers to many. They can motivate study sessions and bring a sense of fun and camaraderie. Seek out those who are excited about learning and are interested in the subject matter. Do what you have to do to hold each other accountable and keep each other energized. When one is weak, the other is strong.
Final words
Keep your tunnel vision in regards to focusing on work but understand the broader picture of your future goals. While in the midst of your daily grind, it may seem as if college is a spinning wheel and you are the hamster. In hindsight, you’ll realize in the scheme life, college was a blip on the screen of your life-long journey.
With anything, if you want to be the best at something, you have to work harder than anyone else. This includes your study habits. You may come to realize and appreciate the rewards of an effective study regimen when you ace your next exam. Remember, time will pass, make sure you will too.
College is a marathon.
Finish strong.