courtesyofjerrica I was that kid to earn an A+ or A in almost every class with minimal study effort in high school. To study, I would often just glance at the slides of the PowerPoint once and never revisit them, and BOOM, 98% on the midterm. However, my experience in my high school Honors classes didn’t prepare me for the major learning experiences I was about to encounter in college.
My entire outlook of studying changed entirely, and my study habits did a complete 180.
When going into a content-heavy major, such as Biology, your time studying has to be used with purpose because there will be A LOT of material. So here are the study tips that I used that helped me stay afloat through the challenging waters of premed:
1.) Study the same day after each lecture
This is one of the most important (if not the most important) tips! After a long day of attending classes, the last thing that you may want to do is study. So it becomes easy to let lectures stack and pile up, especially early in the semester. But eventually, this leads to becoming behind, which leads to becoming overwhelmed.
Studying after every lecture allows you to stay on top of all the content to prevent this. It allows enough time in between study sessions to retain the information. After classes, summarize your notes by going over the main points and concepts and putting them in your own words. This allows the material to be fresh in your brain and keep procrastination at bay.
2.) Plan and Set Reminders of Due Dates
I never wrote anything down when I first entered college. No due dates, homework reminders, nothing. Since I could get away with keeping all of my reminders in my head in high school, I attempted to carry that tactic to college. It was a complete FAIL. I soon discovered that it was impossible to remember everything from the dome, especially when you have 4 different homework assignments, 2 essays, and 3 midterms to keep track of.
Becoming acquainted with a calendar to schedule your study times is another essential tip. I’ve missed a couple of assignments due to not taking the time to write them down in a planner. However, as I progressed in college, I learned the importance of writing things down.
Your syllabus provides all the information on assignments, office hours, etc., that will help you succeed in the class. Once you receive the syllabus that entails all of your upcoming assignments, you should write them down in your planner. Doing this is beneficial for having all your deadlines concisely, but it can help you plan ahead. Additionally, it is helpful to set reminders weeks forth to allow you to complete assignments on time. When it came down to writing essays, I always started it 3 weeks in advance. This gave me ample time to get it done on time.
3.) Take Handwritten Notes
To create good notes, you first have to decide which note-taking strategy you prefer: Paper or Digital. The type of notes one chooses to take depends on each student and your learning style. I’ve tried both methods of note-taking, typed and paper. However, I’ve always preferred paper notes because writing allows me to have information ingrained in my brain. No matter how many technical devices I’ve owned, I’ve always stuck with paper notes (maybe it’s just the old school in me).
When I took notes, I would take notes in a notebook and write down all the pertinent information the professor stated. After class, I would listen to the recorded lecture and rewrite color-coded notes in my OWN TERMS. I would always hone down on the main points the professor stressed instead of trying to capture every single thing they say-that would be a lot of writing. Writing only the main points helps cut down on your note-taking time and makes you more efficient.
If a professor says something over and over again, please write it! I’ve learned the hard way.
Don’t just mindlessly write down information from the slides. Always try to reiterate information in a way that can help you absorb it in your brain. I found that taking handwritten notes helped me focus and retain content more.
4.) Use Flash Cards are key
As an avid user of flashcards, I know how helpful they are in retaining material. Flashcards are another critical part of studying–primarily because they promote active recall. It also encourages spaced repetition to expose you to the information, which helps you remember the material.
At the beginning of my college career, I created physical flashcards. Later on, I transitioned to using Quizlet then to ANKI. When creating flashcards, I made sure to draw a small diagram or use a mnemonic to help me remember the concept or term.
5.) Create Diagrams and Summary Sheets
I like to create summary sheets and diagrams to make sure I consolidate the information. These would highlight the most essential points that were covered in the lectures. These can also serve as a way to test yourself on the concepts.
Remember: When creating your summary sheets, be sure to handwrite the summary sheet and paraphrase the material into your own words.
6.) Treat and Take Care of Yourself
With all the exams, study sessions, and extracurriculars, it is easy to neglect yourself and fall into a mental health pit– I’ve been there, PLENTY of times.
I would fall into a cycle of only focusing on getting good grades throughout my college career. My eating habits would spiral out of control. I became depressed and packed on more than 75 pounds by the end of my sophomore year.
The Freshman 15 became the Freshman 75 for me.
I had to learn that no grade is worth my health or self-care.
These tips helped me immensely in my collegiate career. I hope these tips can somewhat help improve your performance in your own academic career.
If you have any additional study tips that have helped you, don’t hesitate to DM me on @courtesyofjerrica. I would love to hear them.
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Thank you!