How To Study Effectively As An Undergraduate Student In College

As a recent graduate, I can understand how hard it can be to study effectively or even think “How am I going to learn this material before my exam?”. But not to worry I will share with you my best tips on how I studied effectively throughout college and aced my exams!

For me grasping the material throughout my lecture was not easy, I struggled to understand what the professor mentioned throughout my courses. But I started implementing new techniques and methods and began to notice that I was finally understanding the material.

"I began getting A’s and B’s in my exams and found myself in a perfect place."

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Tip 1: First and foremost, you want to start writing down questions on a sticky note or notebook.

You want to write down topics that you were confused about or need to read over again. I started writing down questions I was unsure about, such as “What is the purpose of the citric acid cycle”. I would then ask my professor after class, they were kind enough to explain to me and even give me examples. Now, if there is a time crunch, my next tip is to go to their office hours.

Tip 2: Attending their office hours is more beneficial than you can imagine! During my freshman year, I didn’t really attend office hours. However, by sophomore year I was there almost every day. I knew I wanted to pass my classes and really understand the material. Attending their office hours was the best decision I could have made.

Some professors explained the entire lecture to me, or even went ahead and created examples for me to understand the material. They also gave me additional resources. I know some of you might think “I don’t like going to office hours”, but in reality, you are paying for your classes and you attend lectures to help you understand the material to graduate. If you are stuck or want more explanation, go to their office hours. They are more than likely alone and waiting for students.

Tip 3: Find a quiet place to focus and read. Yes, I know how hard it can be to find a peaceful place in your home, but finding a quiet place whether you have to study in the library or the outdoors will help you focus and learn effectively.

Tip 4: Practice, Practice, Practice!

If you need to memorize content or information, practicing daily or every other day will help you solidify your content. Making practice examples or making personal connections will help. For example, if you have a chemistry test and need to practice solving problems, setting 2-3 hours of only general Chemistry with breaks, will allow you to understand and practice the material much better.

Tip 5: Take breaks and relax. I know the pressure of college can sometimes be overwhelming, but not to worry it will all be worth it. Finding time for yourself and taking a break for an hour or more is okay. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to finish all your assignments in one day, take one day at a time and especially for yourself.

College is not easy, but being enrolled whether you're a full-time or part-time student is a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself.

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Author: Maria De La Torre

Posted: March 9, 2023

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