Academic Success Information

Lists for study success

Time Management

  1. Make a weekly or daily to-do list
  2. Use a calendar or planner
  3. Get up early to get stuff done
  4. Reward yourself when tasks are complete
  5. Schedule your “me” time (so it doesn’t eat up study time)
  6. Read the syllabus and make plans from it
  7. Prioritize and schedule what you need to do – be realistic!
  8. Set aside study/class work hours each day
  9. Have a spot where all studying takes place
  10. Make or join a study group

Note-Taking

  1. Copy professor board notes and check Moodle
  2. Paraphrase professor’s words
  3. Take up as much space as needed
  4. Review your notes every night
  5. Create your own abbreviations
  6. Jot down any ideas that the professor repeats
  7. Notice verbal cues – “Now this is important”
  8. Highlight your book/class materials
  9. Write down all examples
  10. Rewrite your notes after class

 Reading

  1. Read more than once
  2. Highlight and take notes
  3. Make margin notes
  4. Don’t put off reading assignments until the last minute!
  5. Review after reading
  6. Keep from dozing off: don’t read right before going to bed, and don’t read in bed
  7. Read and understand captions and figures
  8. Make a glossary of terms
  9. Pace yourself
  10. Pay attention to key concepts and end of chapter reviews

Test Preparation

  1. Make flashcards
  2. Rewrite/re-read your notes; reorganize into categories
  3. Get help if you need it: use PASS and other learning resources
  4. Don’t cram!
  5. Know the test format
  6. Get all of your questions answered
  7. Verbalize what you know – tell/teach the material to someone else
  8. Be caught up on all work for the test
  9. Identify your problem areas
  10. Take advantage of extra credit

(University of Lynchburg)