1.

Use a Regular Study Area:
Set yourself up in a quiet, well-lit, and uncluttered area where you can study regularly. Believe it or not, your body knows where you are. If you always choose the same study area, your body will sense it is time to study. Do not pick a spot where you eat, sleep, or watch television. It is too easy to get sidetracked. Ideally, your study area should be isolated from distractions such as the television and family members or roommates. Emphasize to your family or roommates that you need uninterrupted study time.

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3.

Find the Best Time of Day for You:
Choose a study time when you feel refreshed and awake. This may be early in the morning or late at night. Experiment and see what works best with your schedule. Don’t get too comfortable and don’t choose a time when you are tired and ready for bed; you may fall asleep.

4.

Plan Your Study Time:
Decide how much time you need to spend studying for each class. Schedule that time, and adjust your schedule if you need to study more or less.

5.

Study Before You Go to Sleep:
During sleep, the mind reviews new thoughts and ideas. It is to your advantage if the topic of your sleep review is your current course and not the plot of a television drama. Even if you study best in the morning, take a few minutes each night to review your studies.

6.

Study Difficult or Boring Subjects First:
Most of the time, we study our favorite or easier subject first, putting off more difficult or boring tasks. If you study your worst subject first, the rest of the study session will be easier. You will have a better understanding of the material and be less likely to fall asleep while studying.

7.

Take Frequent Breaks:
Avoid marathon study sessions. Like a runner, you will collapse at the end or may not even make it through the race. Try studying at intervals of one hour, taking a 10-minute break with each.

8.

Study Constantly:
What?!? This sounds terrible. However, if you utilize the time you spend waiting for the subway, in grocery lines, or at the post office, it adds up. Concentrating on your studies during any extra time you have will pay off. When you sit down to study, you may find you already know a lot of the material.

9.

Be Prepared:
Make sure that when you begin to study you have everything you need. Too often students forget a pen, a highlighter, or other material and must get up for them. You may find distractions such as the television, refrigerator, or the bed, and soon studying is no more than a second thought. Be prepared to discipline yourself.

10.

Take Thorough Notes:
As you read the course material, outline or highlight important concepts. Look for hints from the author about significant topics or points. Be sure to write down formulas or drawings that seem critical to you. As you take notes, be sure to write them in a way that makes sense to you. You will be studying these notes later.

11.

Review and Revise Your Notes at the End of Each Unit:
Go over your notes to make them more concise by using a highlighter or creating an outline. This is a great review and it will help you discover certain ideas or concepts that you do not understand. If you have taken good notes, you will not have to rely on the reading materials to study for the exams. If your notes are concise and accurate, they will save you valuable time.

12.

Remember What You Study:
Studying is not like simple reading. Studying demands comprehension and retention. When you study, pay attention to details, repeat and review the material on an ongoing basis, and develop associations or mental pictures for key concepts.

13.

Develop a Reward System:
Believe it or not, it works. If you achieve your goals for the week, treat yourself to something nice. Choose something that really feels like a reward. Treat yourself to a movie, a favorite television show, extra time with family or friends, a walk, or a new item of clothing. Vary your rewards. You will study harder with less procrastination if you reward yourself for your accomplishments!