College Girl Problems: I Don't Know How to Study

Despite being a straight-A student in high school, I actually had this problem when I first got to college, and occasionally throughout the first full time semester, and when I've asked some other straight-A students, they could relate. I almost never had to study in high school, with a few rare exceptions such as geometry and history. I either got it or I didn't. In college, you learn twice as much information in a semester. In my major, biology, memorization is key. I had to learn how to learn the information and retain it longer than past the quiz. Here's a few tips I've picked up over the last few months.


Find your hiding place.
This needs to be a place where you can focus. Maybe you can focus with your roommate around, maybe you need absolute silence, maybe you need blaring music. But find where you can focus best with no distractions and stick with it. For me, this is a dark corner in the library with no one else around, usually in the theology section or somewhere else where I won't see a lot of people I know. I don't usually have music, but if I do, it has no lyrics, such as "Violet Hour" by the Civil Wars or the Harry Potter soundtrack.

Know what you need to study.
I haven't tried this yet, but this is a good game plan I found detailed on The College Prepster. Throughout the week during class or right after, in an agenda, notebook, or somewhere else you'll see it, write down key words for what information you've been learning. For me in biology, this may be stuff like Krebs Cycle, photosynthesis, ATP. They need to be short and to the point. You'll deal with the more detailed information later.

Actually study.
This is different for everyone, and this again requires knowing how you work. Next semester, I am planning on spending my afternoons during the week studying for each class. Three hours for every hour the class meets per week is a good amount. Some people need more, some need less. During class, I make flashcards on StudyBlue. Later when I'm studying, I read through the chapters, take notes both in my notebook and on a whiteboard, add more flashcards, and answer any end-of-the-chapter questions. Again, know your strengths and play to them when you study.

Use your resources.
If you don't understand a concept, ask. Ask a professor. Ask an upperclassmen. Ask the internet (but be careful who you trust!). I found Khan Academy to be an invaluable resource. There are videos on everything from cell biology to economics. When in doubt, look it up.

Block the world out.
I have to use an app to block Facebook, Pinterest, and anything else distracting when I study. I should probably be away from civilization as well, but that usually doesn't happen. Make sure you're free from distractions when you're studying, or else you won't be nearly as productive.

Study again.
Repetition, repetition, repetition. How did you memorize poems for class when you were in elementary? You repeated them, again and again and again until you knew them. In order to commit something to longterm memory, the information needs to be gone over multiple times with space in between. Study after class, then study again before the next class. Go over flashcards as you walk to class. Repeat it as many times as you can before you have to spit it out for a test or quiz, and you're more likely to remember it past that.

There's probably more tips I've missed, but a little organization and preparation can keep up good grades throughout college. Don't be discouraged, and keep up the good work!