Healthy Study Habits

With a little less than two months left in the semester, you may be wondering how you can ace your final exams. Here are a few study habits that are extremely helpful when wanting to get good grades without having to stress too much.

Know your learning style – Knowing how you learn best will benefit you for the rest of your life. Some of us learn best by simply listening to others, some learn better with images, others with hands-on work. Figuring out your learning style can determine how you can get the most out of class and studying. If you don’t know your learning style, take this learning assessment to figure it out. There are tons of assessments on the web, so you may want to take a few of them to see if you get similar results.

Get organized – Start by figuring out your own way of keeping up with your academic, personal, and professional life all at once. Some people like writing stuff down in planners, while others may prefer a dry erase board as a calendar. You can even get organized by using apps on your phone. An organization style or routine that works for you will help you plan for upcoming tests and allow you to be a little more stress-free.

Take good notes – Taking good notes is a part of being organized, and it also makes studying much easier. Taking notes on what your professor frequently mentions will help you determine what to focus on when it comes to studying for your exams.

Plan your study sessions – Set study hours as part of your daily routine. Think of this time as a requirement – like a scheduled class, so you stay disciplined. Setting specific times that work best for your schedule can help you find time to study a little every day.

Don’t cram – I bet you have heard over and over again, since you were in high school, that cramming for tests isn’t the best way to study, right? Cramming may help you pass the exam because you memorized your study guide, but what good is it if you forget important information you may need for later courses or your future career? If you want to retain the material you’ll need later, study on a regular basis.

Take breaks – Taking breaks is essential to having a successful study session. Studies show that taking breaks while studying improves your focus and attention. Test how long you can sit in one setting without getting distracted. This will let you know how often you need to take a break. For some people this may be 30 minutes, for others 90 minutes may be ideal.

Get a good night’s sleep – One last tip! Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night. If you are trying to remember and retain the information you have studied so hard to learn, lack of sleep will not help. You’re in college. We get that pulling all-nighters sounds fun, but make sure this isn’t your normal routine. Do what works and is best for you!

If you’d like to see a video on study habits check out our YouTube channel.

About Liz

I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) coach with an educational background in personal finance.  I recently obtained my Master’s in financial planning from Texas Tech University, where I also gained practical experience in coaching students.  While at Texas Tech, I coached my peers about their educational and financial concerns through individual coaching sessions and presentations.  As a first-generation and minority graduate, I understand that succeeding through college can be difficult at times.  I believe I can relate to what you are going through emotionally, mentally, and academically. Having recently graduated myself, I hope that with my education, experience, and empathy, I can provide you with the right tools to help you achieve your educational and financial goals.