Study habits you need to succeed in college

1. Newport News Public Libraries

2. Exercise: What are your
study habits now?
Where do you study?
How do you study? How often?
How do you prioritize multiple tasks?
Is it quiet or is there music/TV?
Do you ask questions in class or while you
study?
Time management? Do you make schedules?
How much sleep do you get?

3. What did you learn?

4. The challenge
versus
High School College

5. Study Environment
 As free of distractions as possible.
 Turn off social media notifications
 Whatever works for you; example: music or
silence
 Ideally, don’t use your study space for other
things. Keep it clean and organized.
 Have snacks and water
 Be comfortable, but not too comfortable
(i.e. asleep)

6. Change how you read!
 PRR: Preview, Read, Recall
 Preview: Scan chapter, look for
main headings, “signposts,” key
terms, summary (if it has one)
 Read: divide into smaller
sections, and ask questions about
material as you read (e.g. “Why is
this important.”
 Recall: answer the questions you
asked in reading. Summarize
material in your own words.
Highlight, take notes, or note card
major concepts.

7. Take advantage of
resources
 Writing center, tutoring, study groups, and
other academic support services

8. Another resource: your library
 Your dorm or
home will likely
not be a good
study space
 Other resources
often integrated
into the
academic library

9. Engage
 In class:
 Ask questions
 Discussions help you learn and interpret the material
 With Professors:
 Demonstrate a genuine interest in the field of study
 Make use of office hours or before/after class
Faculty only give recommendations to students they can
remember

10. Plan ahead and stay organized
 Plan out your week of readings, assignments
and projects
 Knowing when your busy days and weeks are
will help you find a healthier balance with your
social life.
 Eliminates panic and need for “all-nighter”
cram sessions.
 Divide and conquer
 Divide into manageable chunks
 Major tests and papers are less daunting
when you’ve broken studying/writing
down into smaller tasks.

11. Know yourself
 Don’t deceive yourself
 You know your limits best
 You know whether you’ve studied enough
 Keep feelings in perspective
 Don’t get discouraged over minor setbacks
 Take time to appreciate your successes
 Remember why you’re doing this
 Don’t focus on the grade—focus on learning and
the grades will come.
 Think about how your learning will apply to the
career you want

12. You’ll make mistakes
 You won’t be perfect, but learn from your failures
 Always ask, “what could I have done better?”
 Be open to feedback
 Study faculty comments to papers, especially drafts to
improve
 Be tenacious
 You won’t always understand concepts or material the
first time. Keep at it, and assess your learning strategy as
you go

13. Go. To. Class.
• Skipping one day
of class costs you
around $625*
“80 percent of success is
showing up.”
—Woody Allen

14. Exams
 Explain challenging
concepts to others
 Make use of study
groups
 Take regular breaks
 Drink water/eat
nutritious foods
 Organize your notes
 Give yourself the time
you need to study
“Seeing much, suffering
much, and studying much,
are the three pillars of
learning.” –Benjamin Disraeli

15. Questions and Links
 US News Study Habits Before College
 ECPI Top 10 Effective Study Habits
 UC Berkeley Study and Success Strategies