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While you know that studying in college is important, you should also learn to make your studying as effective as possible. So the key is not only to study hard, but to study smart. Here are some study tips to make your studying as effective as possible:

1. Find an ideal place to study

If you live on campus, your dorm may seem to be a comfortable place to study. However, oftentimes it becomes TOO comfy for a study area. Between the TV, telephone, and Internet, it can be difficult to get in some quality study time. Instead, consider places such as dorm study rooms, campus libraries, and cafés. Basically, any place that’s quiet and allows you to focus on your studying is ideal.

2. Do your heavy-duty studying during the day

Typically, we’re twice as effective when we study during the day than during the evening. This isn’t to say that you should never study during the evening. However, the evening is when your biorhythms tell you that it’s time to sleep. Do the studying that requires the most focus and energy during the daytime. Do lighter studying at nighttime.

3. Create a to-do list

As with other tasks in life, it’s important to get organized when you’re studying. Sometimes keeping track of everything can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to get organized is to create a to-do list. That’s because you remember 100% of what you write down! Make sure to include exams and projects due in the near future. You should dedicate a portion of your study time to them so they won’t overwhelm you as they approach.

4. Take a pro-active approach to studying

Reading your notes over and over and over again will put you to sleep. Find ways to make your studying more active and thus more effective. Ask yourself questions while studying. Study with some of your classmates. Visit your professor during his or her office hours and discuss any concepts with which you’re struggling. In college you must take more responsibility for your learning than you did in high school.

5. Break up your studying into manageable chunks

There’s a reason why college classes are often 50 minutes long. To use your study time most effectively, study for 50 minutes straight and then take a break of 5-10 minutes. However, it’s important that you not spend 10 minutes studying and 50 minutes on break. When taking a break, sometimes we easily get distracted. So always limit your break time to 5-10 minutes!

6. Finish tasks sooner rather than later

That doesn’t mean that you need to study 24 hours a day. Your body needs rest and your life needs balance. However, avoid procrastinating when studying stuff for tomorrow, next week, and next month. In college, your parents and teachers won’t be able to support you as much as they did in high school. So learning to take the initiative is one of the best lessons you can learn in college.

These are just a few of the ways in which you can make your college studying more effective. You can find many more here.

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