Optimize Your Study Space |
1 |
Create a dedicated study space if possible, preferably somewhere quiet and with natural light. |
2 |
Don’t study on your bed. |
3 |
Stand while you study by either using a standing desk or by placing your computer on top of books. |
4 |
Add greenery to your desk space. |
5 |
Burn the same scented candle or diffuse the same essential oil during each study session to let your body know it’s time to focus. |
6 |
Change your desktop background to something inspiring, like a motivational quote. |
7 |
Keep a water bottle on your desk. |
8 |
If using a laptop, invest in a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to reduce neck strain. |
9 |
Occasionally study in a coffee shop or your campus library. |
Get Organized |
10 |
Clean your desktop of excess folders. |
11 |
Create digital folders for each class’ documents. |
12 |
Sync your desktop with Google Drive or OneDrive to access your documents from any computer on campus. |
13 |
Keep your notes in one place, either in an app, digital folder, or physical notebook. |
14 |
Create browser tabs for frequently visited sites like your class homepages. |
15 |
Use Google Docs for collaborative group projects. |
16 |
Get the contact info of at least one classmate in each of your classes. |
17 |
Create your own Spotify study playlist of your favorite instrumentals. |
Remove Distractions |
18 |
Use an ad-blocker browser extension. |
19 |
Use a website-blocker browser extension to block distracting websites. |
20 |
Enable Do Not Disturb mode on your phone and computer. |
21 |
Use a focus smartphone app like Forest (also a browser extension). |
22 |
Keep your phone in a different room during study sessions. |
23 |
Close browser tabs when you’re finished with them to reduce visual clutter. |
24 |
Wear a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. |
25 |
Listen to nature sounds or instrumental focus music. |
26 |
Wear a hoodie over your head so that you don’t get distracted by things in your peripheral vision. |
27 |
Don’t watch TV while studying. |
28 |
Check email or text messages only twice during the workday. |
Study Smartly |
29 |
Read the class material. |
30 |
Discuss readings with classmates. |
31 |
Use spaced repetition by reviewing your notes, flashcards, and study guides over several weeks or days. |
32 |
Use active recall by quizzing yourself on the material. |
33 |
Use digital flashcards like Anki or Quizlet. |
34 |
If you can still comprehend your professor, bump up online lectures to 2x speed if possible. |
35 |
Handwrite notes during lectures, then retype them into a digital document as review. |
36 |
Use the Cornell note taking system. |
37 |
Dress in clothes you’d wear to class to trick your mind into getting focused. |
38 |
Occasionally reward yourself for your hard work. |
39 |
Rent digital textbooks to save money. |
40 |
Turn your camera on during Zoom lectures to encourage you to stay present and focused. |
Manage Your Time Well |
41 |
Use a Google Calendar or a monthly physical calendar to plan out important assignment due dates in one place. |
42 |
Make a to-do list every day, starring one item that absolutely must get done that day. |
43 |
Complete the most difficult or pressing task first. |
44 |
Remember Parkinson’s Law: “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” |
45 |
Use the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work followed by five minutes of rest. |
46 |
Use calendar-blocking to plan out when exactly to study what subjects during the day. |
47 |
Use calendar-blocking to schedule breaks as well! |
48 |
Learn to say no to commitments that will eat into your study time. |
49 |
Prioritize assignments that have a significant impact on your overall grade. |
Stay Healthy |
50 |
Do a brief exercise during short breaks (pushups, pull-ups, jump rope, jumping jacks, etc.) |
51 |
Go for a run, walk, or bike ride on a longer break. |
52 |
Meditate. |
53 |
Eat healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and smoothies during study sessions. |
54 |
Get enough sleep (seven to nine hours) each night. |
55 |
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. |
56 |
Wake up to a physical alarm clock rather than your phone. |
57 |
Stay in touch with friends and family over Zoom. |
58 |
Take caffeine only when necessary, and never in the evening. |
59 |
Drink lots of water. |
60 |
Take up a creative hobby like drawing, painting, cooking, or playing an instrument to alleviate stress and anxiety. |
Take Advantage of Online Resources |
61 |
Have online tutors review your difficult assignments to get a knowledgeable helping hand. |
62 |
Watch free videos from Khan Academy, Crash Course, and other educational YouTube channels to help you understand course content. |
63 |
Use SparkNotes or Shmoop to supplement, not substitute for, reading your textbooks. |
64 |
Use websites like Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Encyclopedia.com to gain a general understanding of difficult concepts. |
65 |
If you need more coursework, Harvard edX, Stanford Online, Coursera, and Udemy offer several free online courses. |