Balance your schedule

Make time for all of your obligations: your work load, school load, and personal life. No one performs well when he or she is tired. Include extra time in your study schedule for emergencies.

Find a quiet, comfortable place to study

• Avoid studying in bed

  Our bodies develop habits connected to places. Since bed is a place to sleep, you will get drowsy studying there. If you do train yourself to study in bed, you may find that you have difficulty falling asleep at night (your mind and body will want to "study").

• Avoid distractions
  • Don’t watch TV while trying to study.
  • Don’t listen to music.

    Some studies do suggest that listening to classical music (Mozart) may increase your ability to concentrate. So if you listen to music, play instrumental music softly. Avoid all music with lyrics.

  • Close the door.
  • Choose a time to study when it is relatively quiet.
• Have study supplies (books, paper, writing instruments, etc.) readily at hand.

Do all of your homework, especially the reading assignments

(See Developing Reading Skills).

Schedule your study time

Plan for at least two hours of study time for every hour in class.

• Study as soon after class as possible (See Note Taking)
• Reward yourself for studying
• Work on your most difficult subjects first
• Include short breaks when studying for an hour or more
  • Don’t watch TV during a short break (The break will end up being permanent)
  • Leave the room where you are studying
  • Stretch, do something physical instead of mental
  • Get some fresh air

Study some every day