6 Strategies to Improve Your Study Habits in College

High school always involves harder classes. This means that you have to be prepared for everything, especially with the creation of good study habits. Although it can be tempting to cram before a test, it is hard to sustain for longer periods of time. Here are a few different types of study techniques!

↩️Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice focuses on remembering facts, ideas, and concepts in the future.

• Use practice tests: Complete practice tests without the use of notes or other resources. Then, identify what you know and don't know and fill in the knowledge.

• Create your own questions: Think about the content you've learned and pretend that you are creating a test. Be sure that the questions vary in difficulty and length. Then, go back and answer them.

• Use flashcards: Make flashcards with Quizlet or paper, and then answer the question before looking at the answer.

📝Cornell Notes

This process with the original process of note-taking involves breaking down each sheet of notes into sections for notes, recall, and summary with a process that involves repeatedly coming back to the same sheet before a test to review.

💭SQ3R Method

This method works best for reading comprehension and retaining the material within the reading.

• Survey: Start by skimming the first chapter and taking notes on headings, subheadings, images, and non-text elements.
• Question: Create questions around the material of the reading, including what you already know and connections to the real world.
• Read: Read the whole chapter and try to answer the questions you wrote.
• Recite: Summarize what you read and try remembering major points from the text.
• Review: Re-read the parts of the text that you don't understand or can't remember, and be sure you can answer the questions you wrote.

⏰Pomodoro Technique

• A repeated cycle of studying followed by short breaks, usually with a 25 minute studying time and 5-minute break cycled 3-4 times before a long break of 15 minutes.
• Another version of this technique involves working for 50 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break. While both are effective, it is best to work up to the longer study period and start with the 25-minute interval.

🧠Mind Mapping

This technique is best for looking at the "bigger picture" and the relationship between different concepts.

• Step 1: On a blank sheet of paper, write your overarching topic in the center of the paper.
• Step 2: Connect a main idea to the main topic.
• Step 3: Connect sub-branches of supporting ideas to your main branch.

✍️Feynman Technique

This strategy involves explaining complex concepts in simple words for the reason of better understanding the material. To practice the Feynman technique, write down the concept in 4-5 lines on a piece of paper and try explaining the idea to someone who has never heard of it.

To learn about more study habits, search for more techniques to better understand the material, try different strategies, and find the one that best works for you!

‍