• Turn off your cell phone, pager, television, and internet access (including instant messenger) when you are studying.

• Don't study in the same place that you sleep. Studying on your bed or lying on your couch will more often encourage sleeping rather than learning.

• Try not to schedule back-to-back classes - before and after class is the best time to study.

• Establish a regular and consistent time to study for each class.

• Do as much of your studying in the daytime as possible. Distractions and exhaustion come on in the evening.

• Make use of all study resources available on campus, including labs and tutoring.

• Find at least one or two students in each class and form a study group.

• Study your hardest subjects first.

• If you hand write notes in class, typing them on the computer may help you remember key points and will also make your notes easier to read when you are studying.

• Study for each class within 24 hours of learning the information. Don't wait until the day before the test. Most tests in college are application-based. Cramming doesn't lead to understanding.

• Come up with your own examples. Don't rely only on those in the text. Putting concepts into your own words helps you remember them and allows you to apply the concepts on your tests.

• Refer to your syllabus and class handouts often. Syllabus information may tip you off to test or quiz questions.

• Some textbooks publish supplemental information online. Look up your books online to see if there are additional study guides or materials available to assist you.

Suggested Study Locations On Campus According to Current Students

If you prefer little to no noise:

• Study lounges in the residence halls
• Bierce Library - not on the first floor
• Carroll Hall Tutoring Center - 2nd floor
• The UA Adult Focus computer lab and study lounge in Carroll 56
• The Science and Technology Library
• Residence Hall rooms
• Mom and Dad's house

If you prefer noise:

• Anywhere in the Student Union
• Robertson Dining Hall
• Climbing Rock Cafe in the Student Recreation & Wellness Center
• Laundry Rooms
• Courtyards, gardens or other outdoor areas (seasonal)
• Lounges on the main floors of residence halls
• Commuter Central
• Arts & Sciences atrium seating area
• Walkway between Buckingham and the College of Business

Note Taking Skills

• If you are able to type quickly, try bringing a laptop to class. Keep in mind that some instructors do not allow laptops to be used in class.

• Ask your professor if it is ok to tape record the lecture.

• Collect phone numbers of your classmates in case you are unable to make it to class.

• Re-write your notes or type them within 24 hours of class to help you remember the information.

• Pay extra attention to anything the professor writes on the board or has on the multi-media screen. Items stressed in class are often the most important to remember and most likely to appear on a test.

• Professors will usually repeat information that they consider most important. Note any repeated information/material.

• If your professor utilizes WebCT, check online for class notes prior to each lecture. Many times the professor will post class PowerPoint presentations prior to class. Print the notes in notes format and bring them with you to class so that you can follow the lecture/discussion easily and add information to the posted notes.

• Create your own abbreviation system for words that are frequently in your notes. ...just make sure you remember what your abbreviations mean!