One of the things that really gave me apprehension when considering continuing my education was whether or not I would be able to handle the workload with all my other responsibilities. In addition to being a working mom, entrepreneur and digital influencer, I didn’t know if adding college student to my list was going to be overwhelming. I thought about time management, course requirements and of course testing – in general, midterms and finals!
I don’t know the rhyme or reason behind why I get really anxious before taking exams. My thought was it would be a great resource to share study hacks for college students with hectic schedules.
Plan Ahead
My schedule changes daily but, it’s always filled with tailored obligations for that day. I believe that planning ahead is essential when you have a full schedule. You want to be able to dedicate enough time to each task and be successful in what you’re doing. Studying for a class exam, midterm or final is no different.
Study a Little Every Day
When you are in the process of learning something, it’s best to keep practicing until you have it down. Repetition is going to have it etched in your brain. When your professor gives you the date of your exam, set aside some time daily to study up until the day of your exam. Don’t wait until the last minute to cram a bunch of information into your brain. You may not retain everything you need to if you study a few hours before an exam on a subject that you’ve been learning about the entire semester.
Dedicate a Quiet Study Area
It’s good to study the night before an exam as well as the morning you are scheduled to take it. The information you have been studying all along will be fresh in your brain. Be sure that you have a quiet dedicated area to study so that you don’t have any noisy distractions. You won’t be able to concentrate fully if you have background noise and other things distracting you from studying for your test. You want to be able to give your undivided attention to studying for your exam. Take breaks when necessary!
Use a Study Guide
Some course exams will have study guides that your professor will give you. That’s a bonus! If you have access to a study guide, utilize it! It will be tailored to what you have learned in class… again repetition! This is how you will retain what you’ve been learning. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to study. Procrastination is not your friend when it comes to preparing for exams. Last but not least, plan accordingly! You want to be able to handle all your commitments without having to sacrifice anything.
Tip: Make sure you get enough rest and eat a well-balanced meal before heading into an exam.
In addition to having good study habits, it’s great to attend a school like Virginia College that offers programs that you can complete within a scheduled timeline. There is course flexibility along with career development and hands-on training. You are assigned an advisor who will walk you through everything step by step. There is even financial aid available to assist with the cost, if needed. I’m very impressed with the way Virginia College assists their students’ with the attention they need to be successful.
Disclosure: Thank you to Virginia College for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own. Check out 10 study tips from instructors and a cool infographic.
What study habits/hacks would you add to the list?
