“I Thought I Knew How to Study in High School…”

Ask around the leadership team, and I’m willing to bet that at least half of them have said those words out loud.  The other half has heard a friend or classmate utter the phrase.  So, dare I say it ladies, at some point this year, that exact thought will be running through your mind.

But here’s the thing: it’s normal.  It’s supposed to happen.  College is a completely different ball game than high school.  Where once you may have been able to look over the teacher-prepared study guide in the 5 minutes between classes to ace the test, you now must spend two weeks in advance reading, memorizing, and practicing.

For some of you, learning how to study for exams and quizzes may not be an easy transition, and that’s okay.  Every person learns a little differently, and you may have to go through an exam or class or two to figure out just what you need to do to prepare.  Having been through this transition myself and made it out alive, I’ll share a few tips that I have found truly make a difference!!

Duly noted.

We all know that we should take notes during class, but what can we do to help remember them?  One thing I like to do is print out lecture slides before class if they are available, and annotate the slides while the professor is speaking.  You’ll feel less inclined to take down every word and only mark down the truly important notes, all the while actually being able to listen to what the professor is saying.  Additionally, a great way to really get that material into your noggin is to rewrite your notes after classes.  Going over them a second time helps you internalize them and makes the material stick with you.

Do a trial run.

In many of your first year engineering classes (Chem 110, Physics 211&212, Math 140&141), your professors will make sample exams available for you to study.  Make sure you use them!!  And not only that, use them properly.  Sample exams should be taken a few days in advance and in the same scenario as your actual exam.  Find somewhere quiet to go through the questions (no notes!), and keep track of the time.  After you’re done, check your answers and grade yourself.  If you got a 90, awesome!!  If you got a 40, it’s time to hit your notes again.  Didn’t get any practice exams?  If a quick google search doesn’t come up with any, ask an upperclassman.  We’ve all been there and taken those classes, and most of us have all that practice material tucked away somewhere.

It said what on the syllabus?

Don’t be that guy/gal.  Your syllabus will outline all important rules, assignments, exams, class protocols, late policies, absence consequences, etc.  You are accountable for this information!  Professors generally remind you of items that are posted on the syllabus, but they are not required to, so make sure you know your stuff!  Taking note of important deadlines and exam dates will help you feel prepared and allow you to better manage your time for studying.  I love taking my planner at the beginning of the semester and writing down every exam and due date for all of my classes.  It’s great to have it all in one place, that way you can easily see where your busy weeks are and you’ll know to plan for them. 

Start now rather than later

Unfortunately, cramming all in one night just isn’t going to cut it.  Make sure that you are well aware of all exam dates and know when you will start preparing.  Start at least a week in advance, maybe two.  Take a few days to go over your notes.  Then spend a few days going over practice material.  Review old homeworks, quizzes, etc.  Let the night or day before an exam be relaxing.  I personally love putting the books down early before an exam to head to the gym or go out for a run, it’s a perfect stress reliever.

Coloured pens are everything.

This may or may not be my own personal opinion.  But it is also backed up with facts!! Research shows that students that take notes in colour have better recall time for information presented to them than those who take notes in black and white.  Whether you’re old fashioned like me with your 12 coloured pens and paper, or if you’re tech savvy with a tablet, try incorporating colours into your notes!  It’s effective, and it does look pretty(:

Find your study squad.

Studying for exams with classmates is very helpful.  Even if you’re a person that tends to like studying alone in quiet spaces, it’s great to be able to ask each other questions.  All of you did extremely well in high school, which is why you are budding PSU engineers!!  But you will come across classes that stump you and frustrate you, and it’s great to have friends and classmates to help you out!

Hit up office hours.

You’ll hear this a lot in college, but it’s true.  Sometimes attempting to learn chemistry in a lecture hall with 300 other students just doesn’t work out too well.  You have recitations in smaller classes with your TAs, but another resource (completely free of charge) is your professor!  Before heading downtown to pay $40 for a review session, try meeting up with your professor.  After all, they are an expert in the class that they are teaching, and they are always willing to help out a motivated student.

No texting while note taking.

This one might surprise you, but I think it’s the most important.  You can spend two weeks studying for an exam, taking several practice tests, attend every lecture, and still have quite a lot of trouble in the class if you are not present during the lecture.  It’s incredible to see just how many people in a classroom are glued to their phone instead of paying attention to the front of the room.  Fact: you miss 100% of the notes that you don’t take while you’re busy reading up on Caitlyn Jenner’s latest fashion statement.  Put your phone down and listen to your professor.  On average, an in-state student pays slightly more than $42 tuition per class.  Make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

Jessica Smith is a senior majoring in Architectural Engineering, and is the Professional Development Lead for WEPO'15!