10 Spring Semester Study Tips
As the end of the spring semester approaches and classes come to a close, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23), am here to share my top ten studying tips. Whether you’re finishing the semester virtually, in person, or a combination of the two, here are a couple of ways you can up your study game 💜.
Be kind to yourself
It’s been a difficult year to be a student. Giving yourself the space to take a step-back from studying to take a mental health break is important. Make a Café Rachel run, sit in the sun for a moment, eat some snacks, and hang out with friends. You can’t take care of anything else until you take care of yourself first.
Get a group
Studying in a group can help you make sure you didn’t miss any notes or concepts from class. Grab a socially-distanced spot on the quad or jump on a Zoom call with a couple others. Not only can they hold you accountable for studying, but they can also act as an easy way to quiz yourself. Another good trick is explaining a concept to the group as if you were teaching it to see how much information you’ve retained.
Make friends with the JKM
The Jennie King Mellon Library is your best friend at the end of the semester. Need help with a big research paper? The librarian liaisons can help you with all your research needs. Need a quiet place to study? You can reserve study tables for a peaceful spot to focus. Need some good music to relax to? Follow the JKM on Spotify for their student-made study playlists.
Create good vibes
A great way to minimize studying stress is to create a good environment. Make sure your space is clean and fill it with things that bring you peace (comfy pillows, soft lighting, etc…) Consider getting some aromatic plants such as basil, jasmine, or peppermint and incorporating calming colors like blues and violets in your study space. You can also explore ways to combat end of the semester stress by attending Dr. Lei Wang’s Beating Anxiety workshops on the 19th and 20th.
Map out your time
Plan out when you’re going to study to ensure that you will have time to get the grade you want. Blocking out set times for studying will relieve you of any feelings of guilt when you spend time relaxing or hanging out. A good rule of thumb is that for every credit hour of the course, you should spend twice that amount of hours studying. It’s also a good idea to make your study items mobile so that you can pull them out during any random downtime throughout your day.
Take advantage of office hours
Your professors are the best studying resource available to you. Going over your notes, finding where you have questions, and meeting with your professors to work through them will be endlessly beneficial. As a small university, Chatham professors are more than happy to help and it will show them that you’re taking initiative in your learning. If your class has a tutor, make an appointment with them to go over concepts you’re struggling with as well. As always, the Office of of Academic & Accessibility Resources is also here to help with studying, writing, and tutoring resources.
Know yourself
It’s important to know your learning style to figure out a studying method that works for you. If you’re an auditory learner you may want to listen to recorded lectures. If you’re a visual learner, try watching a YouTube video or using everyday objects to model theories you’re working through. Verbal learners can try explaining concepts out loud. If you learn best through reading and writing it’s always a good idea to read over all of your notes and re-write the most important ones.
Care for your body
It’s essential to take care of your mind as well as your body to achieve success. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep and drink 8 cups of water a day. Eat lots of leafy greens and berries (they’re good for your body and boost brain health!). Get some exercise by taking a walk around campus or by learning a new dance which can help increase your brain’s processing speed and memory.
Minimize distractions
Sometimes studying can turn into ten minutes of studying and 30 minutes of scrolling through Instagram if you’re not careful! Minimizing distractions can help you get the most out of your study time. Put your phone in another room or turn it off. Avoid places with lots going on around you and try to avoid having the TV on while you’re studying.
Have an exam day plan
Make sure that your studying doesn’t go to waste through easily avoidable exam day mistakes. Double-check where and when your exams are being held and see if you need to bring any resources ahead of time (calculators, text books, pencils etc). Get lots of sleep the night before, plan out when you should wake up and eat breakfast to get your brain ready! By having a plan, you won’t run the risk of rushing in late or unprepared for an exam.
For more study tips, follow OAAR on Instagram for a new tip each Thursday. Get some rest, take a deep breath, and study hard. Good luck Cougars!