By this time of year, students have their first exams for each of their classes. When I was a freshmen, I did not know how or where to study. Studying for college exams is very different from how I studied in high school. There is a lot more work and I have to use a lot of time management because exams can not only fall during the same week but sometimes on the same day. Here are some tips on how to study for an exam:
1. Find a study place that is right for you. I personally like to study where it is completely silent and I am able to spread out all of my study materials. I took advantage of the study room on the floor of my dorm. It was a quiet place with large tables and no one really knew about. I was able to seclude myself from everyone and study in there for hours at a time. Don’t be afraid to take the time to find your study place until you find a comfortable environment for you. I use the library as a great resource for research and for group studies. There is a place in the library called the “stacks” where you can get an individual desk and no one can bother you. It is a great place to stay hidden while studying.
2. Take plenty of breaks. Plan out times for when you need a study break because then you can pace yourself. After sitting in the same place for hours, I would walk around and get some air. When I study, I always make sure to bring snacks, nothing too elaborate but I usually bring a bag of pretzels to munch on.
3. Organize your study materials. Make note cards or study guides as an easy and effective way to study. You can compare notes with your friends and test each other. I usually make note cards and buy multiple index cards before each semester. They are easy to save for final exams and light enough to bring anywhere.
Freshmen year, I was so nervous for my first exam and I wanted to make sure I was going to ace it. Most of my exams were in the Pollock Testing Center and it was very intimidating. I was not used to this type of environment for my high school exams and I had no idea what to expect. Make sure to check it our before your first exam! I hope these tips help and I hope it would make your freshmen year a little bit more organized.
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