Homework and Assignments vs. Studying

Many college students don’t understand the difference between homework and assignments and studying.    Generally there are very few assignments in college where your work is graded.   So it might seem that you do not have that much work to do.  What no one mentions is that you are expected to be studying all the time and that studying is your “homework.”

So what should you do when studying?  Here are some ideas:

• Review your notes as soon as possible after each class.
• Once a week review all of the notes that will be on the next exam.
• Read the textbook for the class.  Maybe take some notes from the book or add information to your lecture notes.
• If available, do practice problems, take practice tests.
• Use recitation – after reviewing you notes, close your notebook and see what you can remember. Then check and correct your information.
• Make study guides such as concept maps, study cards, review charts.

It is important to use a variety of strategies and to study each subject several times during the week.

The work is hard but the reward is great!