Tips to Improve Your Study Habits By Myriah Strivelli

By Tulane Public Relations (Studying  Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Research has shown that there are certain steps you can take to improve your study habits. Here are a few techniques you should consider to make your studying more effective and enjoyable.

Try a new study space – Test out several study spots to see which environment works best for you. A few options include the Learning Support Services (LSS) room, the library, a picnic table on campus, a room in your house, or a café. Most people concentrate best in a quiet space, so keep that in mind.

Vary study places – According to the New York Times, cognitive scientists have revealed that switching up study places can be more effective to retain information (9 Awesome Study Tips). For instance, you could study at the library one day and at LSS the next day.

Study groups – You may want to consider studying with fellow classmates or friends. You can motivate each other, share ideas, and help each other understand the material.

Flash cards – Write your study material on index cards. This method can be a creative way to retain memory.

Test yourself – After you study put your notes away, and see what you can recall without looking at the material. You can also get someone else to quiz you on the material, or you can use flash cards. This will show you what you need to work on.

Be an active learner – Students learn and remember more information when they ask questions and participate in class discussions. This will also impress your instructor and make class more interesting.

Take breaks – Take short breaks every hour or so when you are studying. This will help clear your mind, so you won’t get bored and overloaded with too much information all at once.

Get enough sleep – Research shows that our brains work best when we have gotten enough sleep. Adults perform best with seven to nine hours of sleep a night (How Much Sleep). If you don’t get enough sleep at night, see if you can incorporate a power nap into your schedule.

Stay organized and manage your time – Use a calendar to mark important deadlines and plan your week. This will help you keep track of what is coming up and what you need to work on now. If you have a busy schedule, you can also plan hour by hour to make sure you have enough time for your work.

Works Cited

“9 Awesome Study Tips for College Students.” Huffington Post. 9 Sept 2010. Web. 10 Sept 2015.

“How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?” National Sleep Foundation. Web. 10 Sept 2015.

Welcome Fall 2015! By Shane Smith

The Learning Support Team receiving the Gold Star Award.
Come by Learning Support Services to meet the team and find out more about our resources!

         

Welcome Back! As we rapidly approach summer’s end, fall semester is slowly creeping into the minds of new and returning students. Starting off on the right foot can set the tone for the length of the entire semester. How can you be more prepared on your first day of classes?

1. Print off your schedule. Having a hard copy of your schedule with both classroom numbers and instructor names can be a great resource. Keeping track of where each class is located and the specific start time can be difficult. If you don’t have a printer, don’t sweat it! Snap a photograph of your schedule and save it on your mobile device.
2. Look up course materials. You can visit the HCC bookstore website to get an idea of what books you will need and how much they will cost. If you prefer ordering your books online, do so early. Having your books on the first, no later than the second, day of class is extremely important and will help to keep you from falling behind.  The bookstore carries all course materials (as well as office supplies) and accepts financial aid as payment.
3. Buy the basics. If you have a specific type of pen or notebook that you prefer, purchase them. The basic necessities include: notebooks or paper, a planner with spaces to write in homework for each day, pens and pencils, and a bag or backpack to carry your materials. Sticky notes and flags are not necessary for college survival, but you may find that these items also belong on your “basic necessities” list.   
4. Familiarize yourself with the campus. If you are new to HCC, welcome! If you are unfamiliar with the campus, try to visit before the semester starts. If you are unable, try to arrive on campus 15-20 minutes before the start of your first class. By doing so, you will be able to park, casually find your classroom, and use the restroom before class starts.
5. Check out Moodle. Instructors will often “release” sections of course information before the course officially begins. Log in to Moodle and check your class pages. Oftentimes, the syllabus will be accessible before day one. By familiarizing yourself with the materials, you will have a better idea about the expectations of the course.
6. Know your resources. Did you know that Student Services supplies students with free planners? What about free tutoring at Learning Support Services? Haywood Community College offers services and resources to students; you just have to know how to access them.