Hoosier State of Prep: Studying in College

So the truth is, I didn't study much is high school and still graduated near the top with great grades, but I quickly learned during my first weeks in college that my studying habits had to change. Here are some of studying tips and tricks for college. I'm sure you can adapt these to high school as well.

1. Rewrite, Rewrite, Rewrite:

I have quickly learned that rewriting is what helps me learn best. For my psychology class I write on the class lecture outline and then rewrite it in a notebook and type it into a Word Document. Now I have three different versions of the notes, two in my handwriting and the other typed in a font that is easy to read. Here are my latest psychology notes on learning:

2. Draw out processes:

As a science major, I know that this is going to be my most used form of reviewing. I look through notes and redraw important diagrams pictures in with my Staedtler pens. Here is a chart from my biology notes.

3: Organization:

I cannot stress how important organization is to my studying habits. I have a folder for each of my five classes, three of which also have binders to hold finished notes and reviews. Also, all of my pens are in pencil holders. I have one for the pens that I use daily (the Lilly Pulitzer of Estēe Lauder), one for the pens for studying (Vera Bradley), and then my desk holders.

4. Color coding:

I love color coding. Some wold say that I have too many pens, but little do they know I asked for more for Christmas. I write all of notes in black ink then go back through my notes with colored pens and highlighters. My favorite pens are Pentel WOW! in black ink and Uni-Ball Vision Elite in blank ink. All of my colored pens range between Pentel, BIC, Pilot, and Staedler. My go-to highlighters are from Staedler because they don't smear the pen ink!

5. Have go-to study spots:

I can't concentrate in my dorm room due to distractions so I do most of my studying around campus. My favorite spots include one of the lounges on my floor, the Starbucks in the IMU (our student union), the Starbucks just off campus, the stacks in the library, and one of my favorite Halls on Sundays because no one else is there. Here is a picture that I took yesterday when I was studying at the library.