Time Management

The general rule of thumb is that you should be studying about 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class.  (Remember that in college you are responsible for your own learning.  Your professors expect you to read and understand the textbook and learn the information from class on your own.  In class most of the time is spent giving you the information and helping you understand it, but not to learn it.)

 

The first thing to figure out is how you are going to fit this amount of time into your schedule.  You can:

• Review your lecture notes as soon as possible after class - definitely before the next class.
• If you have an hour or two between classes, go to the Library to study.  Don't take a nap or hang out with friends (unless they are also studying!)
• If your classes are grouped together in one day with large "free" time during other days of the week, set a schedule for yourself so that you spend an hour or two on the "free" day on each subject.  The "free" day is not really free - it is time to study because you are so busy the other days!
• Chart out your general class and study schedule and post it in your room.
• At the beginning of each week look at what you have due and adjust your standard weekly schedule.
• If you work, are an athlete or have other commitments, use small blocks of free time.  Make study cards or review charts to study from during these times.
• Tell other people when you intend to study so that you feel committed.
• Work and study ahead to allow for emergencies and changes of plans.

 A big factor is getting into a routine.  You want to avoid constantly deciding IF you will go to class or IF you are going to study.  Going to class is not a decision - you ALWAYS do it.  Same thing for studying - you ALWAYS study at certain times.

 

The next thing to determine is exactly what you will do when you are studying. That is for next week!  Stay tuned!

 

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the link at the upper right.