How to Succeed in College - 7 Practical Tips
Everyone wants to succeed in college, but it gets tough when you have three or four different classes demanding your attention.
To help you study smarter, here are 7 ways to help you succeed:
Talk with your Instructor during Office Hours
Office hours are a great time to get clarification on concepts taught in class, and also a great way to get advice on studying for tests or writing essays. Unfortunately, most students never visit with their instructors. If you can't meet with them during office hours, try talking with them during class breaks or right before or after class.
Get a Study Partner from Class
It's not always practical to study with another student in your class, but try to do this at least once -- especially before a final exam. Study partners can be extremely helpful because they can help clarify subjects taught in class. They might have also written down some notes you might have missed. They also can be great proofreaders for your class essays.
Use Flash Cards
If you're class requires memorization of key terms or concepts, make flash cards. Flash cards can help you learn concepts quicker because you can study the cards wherever you are. All you need is a big pack of flash cards and a rubber band. Just remember to just have one main point or concept on each card. Don’t make the mistake of putting too much info on a card.
Highlight Your Books
You know those big, yellow highlighters that you used to color with as a kid. Get one and use it to highlight important concepts in your book. Highlighting important parts of your textbooks will help you quickly review your textbook later.
Write in Your Textbook
One of the best ways to learn is by getting involved in your study material. You can get involved by writing notes in you textbooks. Circle important words. Underline vital concepts. Write down questions in the margin. Summarize key concepts and write them down on the page. The more you write, the more you'll probably learn.
Get the Contact Info of Students in Class
Get the contact information from at least two other students in class. You never know when you'll miss a class, and it's nice to have someone to call to find out what happened. This is a must for any student.
Succeeding in college takes work, but if you study smart and meet with your teachers on a regular basis, you’ll have a much easier time earning your degree.
