Assessing Your Study Habits
The links below are online inventories which survey key elements of good study habits. Completing one or more of these honestly and completely will give you insights into what you already do well and what you might need to work on.
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/checklis.html
In addition to the above inventories, the Center for Academic Success has multimedia instructional materials which can help you develop good study habits. Any Center staff member can get you started with them.
General guidelines
- Prioritize. Decide what has to be done first, next, then next. When are the deadlines? Write them down on a calendar you consult frequently.
- Make sure you understand the details of the tasks that have been assigned. Ask questions of your instructor if you need clarification.
- Break big assignments into smaller, more do-able chunks. Don't think that you have to read a complete chapter at one sitting or that you must work all the assigned math problems before you go to bed.
- Study regularly. Set aside particular chunks of time when you can work uninterrupted. Don't expect to "fit in studying" on an unscheduled basis. And don't wait until the last minute to get started, even if you're the type who loves the adrenalin rush of an all-nighter.
- If an assignment is really difficult or unpleasant, study alongside a partner who will keep you on-task. Then reward yourself for the work you accomplish.
Adapted from: http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/time-manage.htm