One key for having a successful semester is knowing how to study. Everyone is different and different techniques work for different people, but in my personal experience, these are what have worked best for me!
1) Find a study place
Everyone has their preferences on where to study. Some may like a more quiet environment while others may prefer one that has noise in the background. Regardless, you need to recognize what works for you which could require some experimenting.
The library is a great place to go because usually different floors correspond with the levels of volume. There are also great designated study areas where you can have study groups! Coffee shops are also another great place to go! Specifically at Ohio University, places like Donkey Coffee, Court Street Coffee, Brenen’s, The Front Room Coffee House, and Starbucks are very popular.
2) Set aside time to review your notes
This has been the biggest game-changer to how I study. Every day, I set 10-20 minutes aside to review my notes for each class. This is very relieving, especially when the night before a test arrives. By doing this, I have been able to avoid cramming the night before (which personally has never worked). This helps with memorization and building familiarity.
3) Make a study guide
To help organize my content for classes, I create a study guide. Some professors/teachers may already give you this but that typically isn’t the case. If you have all of your notes organized, then it can be easy to put it all together. Sometimes, I type up the study guide and then print it out and add notes, or I handwrite it all. It usually depends on the course.
4) Use flashcards or “quizlet”
Through your courses, you begin to collect vocabulary and facts that you need to memorize. Gradually, you can add each word and definition to either a collection of flashcards or use Quizlet (which is a website that allows you to create flashcards virtually). This also depends on your preferences. While some people may like physical flashcards, others may like having it on their computer.
5) Rewrite your notes
Another tip that is a little more uncommon is rewriting your notes. When you rewrite your notes you can write them how they originally were or you can write them in a different fashion by using diagrams, tables, or a web chart. Categorizing them can make memorization easier.
I hope these tips help you! Have a successful semester!