Study Strategies

Before class, briefly review assigned readings, previous notes, or upcoming topics. Even if you only take a minute or two before class starts, previewing will help you identify important concepts and prepare your brain to engage with new information.

Active participation improves understanding and retention. Take meaningful notes, ask questions, connect new information to what you already know, and participate in class activities.

Within 24 hours, revisit your notes while the material is still fresh. Clarify confusing concepts, identify questions, and summarize the main ideas. Try using the Note Review Worksheet.pdf for a more in-depth review.

Move beyond rereading by practicing retrieval, solving problems, explaining concepts, and applying what you have learned. Look for examples in our Study Smarter section below.

Regularly test yourself and identify areas that need more attention. Adjust your study strategies based on what you know and what you still need to learn. After an exam complete the EXAM REFLECTION GUIDE PDF to identify areas of success and potential ways to improve.

Look at headings, learning objectives, summaries, figures, and key terms before beginning. Identify what you should focus on while reading.

Avoid passively moving through the text. Ask questions, make connections, summarize sections in your own words, and identify important concepts.

Pause and reflect:

• What are the main ideas?
• What evidence supports these ideas?
• Could I explain this concept without looking back?

• SQ3R READING STRATEGY PDF
• ANNOTATION TECHNIQUES PDF
• Reading in shorter focused sessions
• Taking notes after reading instead of highlighting everything

• EFFECTIVE READING STRATEGIES PDF

Use:

• Active recall
• Flashcards
• Practice quizzes
• Teaching concepts aloud

Use:

• CONCEPT MAPPING PDF
• Summarizing in your own words
• Explaining connections between ideas
• Study groups
  • try a Study Pod led by a Peer Tutor or Peer Accountability Group led by a Peer Academic Coach

Use:

• Practice problems
• Case studies
• Practice exams
• Creating your own examples

Use:

• Spaced practice
• Mixed practice
• Exam-style questions
• Reviewing mistakes

• ACTIVE RECALL STUDY GUIDE PDF

Before beginning:

• Choose a location that supports concentration.
• Remove unnecessary distractions.
• Put your phone away or use focus settings.
• Gather everything you need before starting

Rather than studying until you are exhausted, work in intentional blocks of time.
Try:

• The Pomodoro Method
  Study for 25–50 minutes, then take a short break.
• Time Blocking
  Schedule specific times for studying and treat them like appointments. Open time between classes when you are already on campus can be a great time to focus.
• Focused Goals
  Start each session by identifying exactly what you want to accomplish.
• Focus Apps
  Many apps can help you maintain your focus while studying.
  Focus Friend: a cozy gamified focus timer app
  Cold Turkey: a desktop app that blocks distracting websites and apps
  Forest: a Pomodoro-style timer that grows virtual trees while you stay off your phone

• FOCUSED STUDY SESSION PLANNER PDF

• Schedule study time before your week becomes busy.
• Break large assignments into smaller tasks.
• Prioritize high-impact activities.
• Avoid relying on motivation and create routines.
• Protect time for rest and recovery

• WEEKLY STUDY PLANNER PDF

• Come prepared
• Teach concepts to each other
• Compare approaches
• Ask questions
• Avoid simply dividing up material
  Remember: studying with others should enhance your learning, not replace individual preparation.