Study Tips for College Success

Have you ever tried something for the first time and felt nervous or intimidated? Going to college can be a frightening experience. Just the mere mention of writing essays, preparing presentations and studying for final exams can make anyone nervous. Here are four important tips for studying that can impact your ability to be successful at college.

Time Management – it’s important!

When you are new to college and living on your own – no parents or teachers telling you what to do – it’s up to you to decide how much time you can spend with friends, how much time you spend studying, how much sleep you will get, etc. Many students struggle to properly allocate enough time for studying. This is particularly difficult if you have other commitments such as work, extra-curricular activities, and/or family commitments.

Study Tip: You should dedicate, on average, two hours of study time for each instructional hour.

Procrastinating – don’t do it!

Many students believe in waiting until the last minute to complete an assignment. They don’t start their papers until the eleventh hour and pull “all-nighters” in preparation for tests, exams or assignments. These students often tell others (and themselves) that they do their best work under pressure, but studies show that this is rarely the case.

Study Tip:Create a schedule for all assignments and studying for tests, well in advance of their due dates, setting aside a block of time each day to work on the task at hand.

Attendance – go to class!

Many students get to college and think to themselves, “This is awesome! Nobody cares if I skip classes:” They figure they can miss six, eight, ten lectures in each course and still do well. Unfortunately, this is seldom true. Your professors do notice if you’re habitually absent or late.

Study Tip:Attending all classes will make it easier for you to succeed. Often, professors reward those students who are in regular attendance by providing more assistance to them and sometimes even providing insight as to what will be on the test or exam!

Social Media and Technology – unplug yourself!

The average college student spends hours each day on Facebook, Twitter, other websites and using their cell phone. Then they complain that they don’t have enough time for studying. Although it is important to take regular study breaks and relax, too much time spent in these activities can impact your success at college. If a text or Facebook message notification comes up, not too many students have the strength to ignore it and instead leave their studies to see what is going on!

Study Tip:Turn off your cell phone and don’t have your Twitter or Facebook open while you are studying. Allow yourself some “down-time” while studying!

Grade Learning is a career college with locations across Ontario. We welcome and encourage students to use the resources available at our centres, where you can get help with college preparation courses that are individualized to meet your needs. Need help with essay writing, compiling research, time management skills or something else? We can help! Make sure to check us out! Follow our tips for studying and your time at college is bound to be more successful!