Step 2 of learning how to study is actually studying (go back and read Part I: Note-Taking, if you missed it!). Studying is both simpler and more complex than one might think. Studying can be broken down into two smaller sections: preparation and time management.  

Preparation

In my opinion, the preparation takes the most time, because it requires planning (sometimes before you know what you’re planning for!). By reading your syllabus and keeping an up-to-date calendar of important due dates, you’re less likely to be surprised by any quizzes or exams. If you haven’t checked your syllabus or Brightspace lately for upcoming assignments, it’s not too late! Check down and begin preparing for future success.

If you’ve been keeping up with your notes (like we discussed in Part I), then you’ve been preparing! Taking notes help you actively engage with the material and promote retention. Next, do your assignments – doing is preparing.

Every assigned reading, discussion board, and homework assignment is designed to get you to study and retain information. By doing the work, your brain is making connections. 

Read your notes, revisit your graded assignments and make note of what you did well on and what areas could see improvement. Be brutally honest! If you find that you mix up dates in history, or swap integers in calculus, it’s important to recognize so you don’t continue to make the same mistakes.

Time Management

The second step, time management, would come after the test has been announced (or sooner if you’ve been keeping track on your syllabus!). A great way to manage your time to create a study plan. A study plan will help you stay focused and review the information you need to do. Questions to ask while you make your study plan: 

• When is my test? 
• What does it cover? (Specific chapters, topics/themes, etc.)
• Was I comfortable with the assignments and readings that I completed in this module?  
• What areas did I struggle most with?  

By asking these questions, you will be able to have a clear understanding of what you need to do.  

Making a Study Schedule  

While everyone’s study schedule will be different based on subject matter, familiarity level, timeline, etc., the following week-long sample plan serves as a solid foundation.

• Day 1: Make an outline of what you already know. And revisit the textbook to add in additional details that you may have overlooked or forgotten. Also, leave a section for questions – write down any questions as they come (don’t answer them yet!).  
• Day 2: Make flashcards for the unit, focusing on the areas that you struggled with, and quiz yourself regularly. 
• Day 3: Take a brain break! Let your mind sit with information – allow the questions to arise (and write them down). This is a time where deficiencies can be defined clearly. 
• Day 4: If you’re taking more than one class, begin mixing in flashcards from other classes to help your brain recall information when it’s not necessarily primed to do so. (This is a great tip from Cornell University!)
• Day 5: Make a new outline of what you know. You’ve added more details and information in your mind, so it is a good idea review once more. 
• Day 6: Test Eve! Find answers for all the questions you wrote down throughout the week and have not yet been able to answer during review.  
• Day 7: Feel prepared on test day! 

Bonus Tips 

• Get rest. It’s easy to fall into the thought pattern that you need to study as much as possible, even if it means giving up rest. This is a trap! Your mind and body need to rest in order to perform their best.
• Proper nutrition*  Proper nutrition supports optimal brain function, so be sure you eat well during study sessions and on test day!
  • *If you’re facing food insecurity: visit the Bear Pantry or search Food Finder to find a local food pantry near you. 
• Take advantage of MO State Resources!

Sources and Support

• TedEd, 3 Tips on How to Study Effectively
• Cornell Univerity, Effective Study Strategies
• William Rapaport, How to Study (State University of New York at Buffalo)