Getting It All Together Yes, it’s possible!

Start at the beginning The syllabus is your life Layout of the class Due dates Projects Quizzes/tests Exams You should review your syllabus thoroughly to help layout your semester. It should clearly state what you will be expected to do (assignments, tests, etc.) to finish successfully.

Write it down One place for everything Planner/online calendar/smart phone Use colors to make things stand out Mark when complete Use “bookmarks” as reminders – index system The index system – use an index card as a bookmark for reading assignments. On the edge that peeks out from the top of the pages, write down the specific pages you need to read. Once the trading has been completed, remove the bookmark. This will cut down on wasted time, whether it’s from reading something you are not required to read or searching your syllabus to find out what you were supposed to read.

Look Ahead, Plan ahead Projects, tests, papers – do NOT procrastinate Super Bowl vs. studying – which will win? Do a little at a time Prepare for technology to fail Plan your assignments with your life in mind. Are you really going to complete a big paper when you want to watch the Super Bowl or when you have a wedding to go to? Break larger assignments down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Do not wait until the last minute – that’s when your power will go out or you’ll be too sick to complete it. Professors will not accept these type of excuses when you’ve had weeks to get it done.

Study, Study, Study…..ugh! Setting/Timing Lighting/Noise Supplies Broccoli before ice cream Setting/Timing – you should try and study in the same place every time, it helps to set the brain to focus on the task. Study when you’re at your best – if you’re not a morning person, having to get up early to study for a test will probably not go that great for you. Lighting/Noise – bright lights because dim lighting sets your brain to relaxation mode. Noise – if it’s a distraction, turn it off. If it helps you focus by drowning out other things, use it. Supplies – keep everything in one place so you’re not wasting time tracking it down. Broccoli – do the hardest, or most unpleasant, tasks first. You are more focused when you first begin to study. This should make the harder things a bit easier to get through. Study in 20-30 minute bursts with a short break in between so you don’t overload your brain.

What works for you Writing Listening Seeing Drawing Doing Experiment with your learning style. Once you figure out how you learn best you can better organize your study time.

Notes Make them count –quality vs. quantity Cornell note-taking system Click on the hyperlink to learn more about the Cornell Note-taking system

Get help sooner rather than later Classmates Professor Tutors Advisors Find your person!

Dealing with “time blockers” Time block video If something goes wrong and you can’t fix it or figure it out you need to move on! Don’t let one thing throw everything else off!