Student Academic Success Center

Be Well Rested!

You’ll have better memory retention and attentiveness!

1. Course Load Study Recommendation
   For every one credit hour you take, you will spend two to three hours studying.

   • 3 credit hours (1 course) = 3 hours in class per week = 6–9 hours of study time per week

   • 12 credit hours = 24–36 hours of study per week

    

2. Preparing to Study

   • Make a weekly schedule

   • Study according to the hours in the week you should be studying

   • Balance work, school, and extracurricular activities

   • Remember that harder classes require more time

     • Example: harder class = 9 hours/week

     • easier class = 6 hours/week

4. Getting Organized

   • Pace yourself and go at a speed that works best for you

   • Study at the time of day when you are most alert

   • Study in small chunks at a time

   • Eliminate distractions — YES! That means turning off your cell phone during study sessions

   • Clear your mind by jotting down reminders and errands on a notepad before studying

    

5. Study Space

   • Study area should be free of distractions and mostly quiet

   • Have all study items available: pens, highlighters, calculator, etc.

   • No studying on a bed

    

You need 30 credit hours a year to graduate in four years!

How do you learn best?

Check out the 3 learning styles to see which is your preferred way of learning and tips on how to maximize how you absorb, process, and understand information.

VISUAL

You like the use of images, maps, charts, and graphic organizers.

Tips:

• Underline and highlight

• Use colored pens for topics

• Add pictures/images to lecture notes

• Use drawings and diagrams when studying

• Replace words with symbols

• Turn visuals into words

AUDITORY

You prefer listening to information and talking with others to share and gain knowledge.

Tips:

• Explain ideas and concepts to others

• Use a tape recorder

• Read notes out loud

• Say answers out loud when studying for tests

KINESTHETIC

You prefer a hands-on approach to learning.

Tips:

• Add sensory experiences to your learning (scents, experiments, videos, samples)

• Jot down several examples in notes

• Write out as much as you can when practicing problems

• Write down answers

• Use case studies when possible

• Find a note-taking system that works for you (e.g., the Cornell Method)
• Determine key points and write them down
• Summarize when possible

Be Prepared

• Read ahead

• Use colored pens

• Use highlighters

• Bring a notebook

• Sit up, participate, and be engaged

Review Notes

Review notes immediately after class

Use:

• Abbreviations

• Symbols

• Shorthand

Study Strategy

• Use notes to create test questions

• Prepare for exams

Attend every lecture!

Be well rested!

Avoid Procrastination

• Set goals
• Break big projects into small chunks
• Create routine and commit
• Use a planner to stay on track
• Meet with a Success Coach and/or other supportive individual

Stay Motivated

• Keep end goal in mind
• Challenge yourself accordingly
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Read positive quotes
• Create a vision board of future goals

• Revise notes for class regularly
• Make sure you understand material and concepts in each chapter
• Go over materials from class other than the textbook (PowerPoints, notecards, handouts)
• Ask questions in class
• Meet with your professor during office hours or after class to clarify course material
• Create your own questions
• Be part of a study group
• Prepare at minimum two weeks in advance
• Sleep 7–8 hours the night before the exam
• Eat a healthy meal before the exam
• Have materials needed for the exam
• Arrive on time
• Be relaxed and confident