Tips for Surviving and Thriving in College: Studying
I began my freshman year of undergrad at Cornell University in 2015. I was excited but also terrified to begin my college career. I moved from a big city, Chicago, to a small town in upstate New York. All of my close friends were going to different schools across the country and I knew I would miss them. I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in the Prefreshman Summer Program (PSP) which allowed me to meet other freshmen, take my first college courses, and have a smoother transition to college. However, many students do not have this opportunity and come to college without knowing what to expect. This transition can be even harder for first-generation college students. Each university is different, so navigating your campus is something you will become comfortable with over time. In the mean time, I want to share some tips for surviving and thriving in college, especially for first-year students.
Study Habits
Taking Notes: I prefer handwriting my notes and some studies have found that writing helps to retain information better. You will likely see many students typing their notes in class but I have always taken them by hand. It also makes it easier to draw figures and pictures to help visualize concepts.
Where to Study: You have to find what atmosphere you study best in. Do you require complete silence? Do you like to listen to music? Do you prefer to study alone or in a group? Do you need to study in a library or a more social space?
I love to listen to music when I study. When I really need to focus, I put on music I don’t know the lyrics to so I don’t get too distracted with dancing and singing along. My friend listens to classical music to help him study. I’ve tried it and it does help when i need to concentrate.
I can study in my room but some people fall asleep or get too distracted. I like to rest on my bed, split screen my laptop between Netflix and work, and study that way. When I need to focus more I sit at my desk. It takes discipline and to be honest I do get distracted a lot so I tend to work on homework assignments that way rather than studying for a big test.
I study in the library as well but I need a space where I can talk and eat quietly. For my fellow Cornellians, the second floor of Mann Library was my favorite study spot. There are also private rooms that you can rent to study in if you need a quieter space to work. I get stressed when the atmosphere it too quiet and serious.
Studying for tests: Each class requires a different way to study. One size does not fit all. Some classes require memorization, others problem-solving or writing. The goal is the figure out how you can best retain the information.
I type all of my handwritten notes and make a study guide. I go through the PowerPoint (if provided) for each lecture as I go. This way, I’ve gone over the information multiple times before I even begin using the study guide. If I need to memorize a lot of information, I use quizlet.com. I absolutely love this resource for studying.
For math classes and similar courses like chemistry and physics, I do a lot of practice problems. I also watch videos on YouTube or Khan Academy to help work through problems and difficult concepts. I advise going to get extra help when you can. I took a supplementary math course for calculus that allowed us to work through homework and practice problems with another professor and group of students. I knew that math was my least favorite and most difficult subject so I sought out extra help.
My biggest study tip is to go to office hours! When your TA or professor offers time to meet and get extra help on the material, you should make it habit to go. You should go early in the semester even if you think you understand the material. Most people (me) wait until the day before the test to go to office hours but its too late then.
In the beginning, try out a bunch of different ways to study until you decide what works best for you!
I love using dry erase boards to understand concepts. Here I was studying for a biology exam by writing phylogenetic trees by memory.
Final Thoughts: In high school I didn’t have to study to get a great grade on exams and that may have been the case for you. I quickly realized that in college i would HAVE to study if i wanted the same results. Try out multiple study methods until you find what works for you and adjust based on the type of course. You can find ways to make it work for you. And don’t forget the snacks!
