It can be easy to procrastinate and wait to study until the night before an exam. We’ve all done it.

Freshman year I saw so many people fall into this trap, even me. We would all be carefree until finals week or the day before an exam. This makes for extra, unnecessary stress. The sad thing is that most of us do not learn how to study until we are thrown into it in college. Here are some things I learned that can help you step up your studying game:

Do your studying in turns.

The most effective way to study is throughout the weeks leading up to a test or exam, rather than just the night before. It is also helpful to study in 20-30 minute bursts with 5 minute breaks in between and a longer break every two hours. Taking these breaks will help you stay focused and motivated. There are apps like Focus Keeper, Forrest, and Flora that can also help you time yourself and take the appropriate breaks.

Reward yourself after a long study session.

This will help you establish some positive reinforcement which will encourage you to keep up with your studies in the future. A cup of coffee, a smoothie, or watching a few minutes of Netflix can keep you from getting bogged down in your studies.

Study in the same place as much as you can.

If you study in the same spot, you become conditioned to study in that spot. That way, when you sit down to study, your mind is ready for that specific task because you associate your location with productivity.

Know the difference between recognition and comprehension.

When studying for an exam or quiz it can be so easy to use Quizlet for everything. Don’t get me wrong, Quizlet is a useful tool! But there are more effective ways of studying certain things. Quizlet is extremely helpful when learning facts (such as vocabulary, formulas, or anything else you need to memorize). On the other hand, however, Quizlet is not as useful when it comes to comprehending a concept. Concepts are things you need to understand more than just memorizing, so it is better to use an interactive study method.

Teach what you’ve learned.

When you teach someone else what you just studied, it forces you to focus and recall what you learned. This way you can make sure you understand it. Even writing down how you would explain it to a child helps because you are putting it in the simplest terms. Teaching others helps you think critically, putting the concept in your own words.

Procrastination is a dangerous trap that we all fall into from time to time. Face your studies head on! Take your time when studying and plan ahead so you don’t stress yourself out or lose motivation. Reward yourself every once in a while for staying on task. Try to have a study spot. Finally, teach what you learn. All of these tips will better prepare you for your studies.

 Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Laura S.