3 Effective Studying Tips for College that Actually Work!
Better study habits can lead to a successful college career. Check out these three effective studying tips for collegeso you can reach your potential and earn your degree.
1. FIGURE OUT YOUR LEARNING STYLE TO HELP YOU STUDY IN COLLEGE
There are four types of learners. Knowing which type you are will help you choose the most effective study method to help you learn more in less time.
- Visual learners – People who learn best by seeing. They respond well to diagrams, color-coding, video, and patterns.
- Auditory learners – People who learn best by hearing. They respond well to audio cues like speech, music, rhymes, and other sounds.
- Reading/Writing learnings – People who learn best by reading the writing the material they need to study.
- Kinesthetic learners – People who learn best through action. They enjoy role-playing, building models, drawing diagrams, and making flashcards.
2. UTILIZE YOUR LEARNING STYLE WHEN YOU STUDY
Knowing how you learn isn’t enough. Create study methods that work with your learning styles.
If you respond well to visual cues, color-code your notes by topic, chapter, or category to help with recollection. Then when you see a word or question on an exam, you’ll associate it with a specific color and be reminded of the topic. For example, information that you see as green may be associated with management styles, or a certain category of legal documentation. This can help remind your brain what that keyword or question was about.
If you’re an auditory learner, record yourself reading your notes or instructional materials. Now, you can listen to your notes while walking the dog, working out, cooking dinner, or completing daily tasks. Another method is to repeatedly read your notes out loud to yourself. Each time, try to remember more content without having to refer back to your notes.
If you’re a reading/writing learner, it’s recommended that you try to take notes by hand. Even if given a PowerPoint presentation with everything you need to know, re-write the content yourself. This makes your brain think about it as you’re writing and gives you the opportunity to organize the content to a format you prefer. Creating paper flashcards gives you another opportunity to write down your notes, and using the flashcards means you re-read the material until you memorize the answers.
Practical, or kinesthetic learners tend to pick subject matters that involve their hands. If this is how you learn, don’t just draw a diagram, but try to make models of what you’re learning. Take action and pretend you are teaching others the material. If you have family around, teach them what you’re learning.
3. ELIMINATE POTENTIAL DISTRACTIONS DURING COLLEGE STUDY TIME
Life is busy and it can be hard to find a quiet time to study, especially while taking care of a family. It is important to your success to keep a daily schedule and create a designated study area. Study at the right time for you. Choose a time of day when you are most alert and less likely to be tempted by distractions. Read more studying tips here.
——
At National American University, we offer online Associate or Bachelor’s degrees in a variety of careers that could help you get ahead. Do you already have some experience or a certificate in your field? You may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program so you can complete your degree faster. There are part-time and online programs available, as well as financial aid to make it more affordable. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor or fill out the form to request more information.
