7 Effective Study Tips for College Students

Examinations are fast approaching! The biggest question that lies here is--Are you ready?

It's no secret that college requires a whole lot of studying. Learning how to study effectively can sometimes be tricky, but with the right tips and tricks, you can combat your studying worries. Here are 8 tips for us students to have an easier time with studying:

1. Complete all course requirements – Be sure that before you start studying for your exams that you have accomplished all the assignments, researches, projects etc.You sure don't like having this kind of trouble on examination day instead of getting busy studying.

2. Use Mnemonics - Mnemonics are effective techniques that aids information retention  by using acronyms, key words and phrases. A basic example for this is the "MDAS" rule (Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract) another is the "ROYGBIV" where each of the letters matches the colors of the rainbow in order (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).

3. Be prepared - Know the exam coverage for each subject then start preparing outlines and guides. Gather all your notes and make an organize list of relevant key points and if possible, include the page numbers where these points can be found. Preparing for tests often involves more than knowing facts, figures, formulas, and definitions. Many instructors expect you to demonstrate critical thinking, which involves more than rote memorization.  Therefore, you must organize and process course materials so that you can increase your comprehension and ability to think critically.

4. Test Yourself - To ensure that you are already prepared, make a mock exam to test how well you know the material. This is also effective in group studies where you can also exchange and share ideas. Write down a list of keywords or questions and make sure to leave space underneath each one. Then, pretend that you’re taking the exam and write down as much as you can.

5. Get Enough Rest - College students who get a full night of sleep are more alert, more focused and learn things easier than those who are sleep deprived.  Especially during the weeks preceding exams, keep your sleep schedule as consistent as possible.

6. "No man, is an island" - Studying with other people can be a great way to enhance what you learn while studying on your own. They can also help give you ideas about matters that you may not have studied or reviewed by yourself.

7. Be confident - You've studied, you're prepared. Anxiety and fear will just ruin all your efforts. In taking your exam, you should be calm and confident to reduce the tension and pressure.

Some students erroneously believe that studying a lot is the answer. Well, it may be true that increasing the amount you spend on your studies may be important, but the key to becoming a successful student is learning how to study smart and set priorities right.

All the best on your exams!