Sep 23 2011
The Art of Studying
That time of the semester has come, yet again, where the majority of NC State students are having their first round of tests, quizzes, papers, etc. and the level of stress has visibly risen among students here at NC State. I have talked to my friends, classmates, and teachers in order to come up with a list of the five most helpful study tips for an NC State student.
- Start Early- Never, EVER, wait until the last minute to begin studying for a test, quiz, or paper. Procrastination is very popular here on campus, but don’t fall into the trap. The best way to make the grade is to give yourself enough time to learn the material.
- Ask Questions- Professors and T.A.’s are there to help you. There is no one that knows what is going to be on the test better than the person making the test, your professor. Depending on the class and material being covered it is likely that there will be things that you do not understand, so don’t be afraid to approach your professor and get your questions answered.
Studying Outside of Riddick Hall
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Study Together- I have personally found study groups to be very helpful. Your classmates can give you helpful ways to remember difficult information, and they can also be a good source for answering questions you may have right before a test.
- Get Organized- I’ve found that one major problem that many students have is that they don’t stay organized. I use my planner religiously, I don’t go anywhere without it. I forgot to do a homework assignment freshman year because I didn’t write it down, and trust me I will never make that mistake again. Invest in a planner, and make sure you use it; write down paper due dates, homework due dates, test dates, etc.
- Find Your Place- Contrary to popular belief, every college student does not study in the library. It is important that you find a place that makes you the most comfortable so that you can focus and be productive. That place be your room, the park, the library, the lobby of a building on campus, or wherever you want it to be.
I will leave you with this thought, just because it works for others does not mean that it will work best for you. Take time to learn your own study habits and try out different techniques. Once you find how you study best, you are one step closer to earning that ‘A.’
