5 Quick Study Tips Any University or College Student Can Incorporate

Here are a few tips for next semester.

It’s never too early to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Or new semester’s resolutions, in this case.

With under a month left before the Christmas break, now’s a good time to look at this term and look at your successes and failures. As you put your head down and plow through 2010, here’s a few habits you can start to experiment with now, and try to incorporate into your 2011 routine.

5 Quick Study Tips Any University or College Student Can Incorporate

1. Sit at the front of class

If you’re in the habit of settling into the nose-bleed seats during a lecture, move it down to ringside. This can force you to pay closer attention, or at least force you to look like you’re paying attention.

2. Build on things that worked

Repeat what worked last year. If you found a really great study/lab partner who you’ve done well with, stick with them. If you found you get a lot more done at a certain time of day, plan your studies around it.

3. Eliminate the things that didn’t

If you downloaded a calendar for your deadlines, but you’ve never used it, stop saying you’re going to. Try something else. If you said in September you’d wake up at 6 am to jog every morning, but you hit snooze every morning, stop setting the alarm that early. Find another time to work out. Don’t feel guilty for the goals you didn’t fulfill. Learn from them, and try something else.

4. Talk to more people

Whether it’s professors, classmates or any of the school’s staff, get to know more people. You’re surrounded by people that can help you—take full advantage of them. Also, building a rapport makes it easier to call in a favour down the line when you really need help.

5. Do something out-of-character

Or at least something you’ve never done before. Maybe there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, but were too scared. Make it a point to do it in 2011. Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying a new hobby or experience can open your mind and teach you new things about yourself.