Preparing for College Study Sessions

Study sessions are one of the best ways for students to prepare for tests. In fact, studies have shown that students who schedule study sessions and study in groups before big exams earn better scores. Study sessions are not only helpful; they are the prime way students prepare for important academic hurtles. Study sessions, however, can quickly go from good to bad when not handled correctly. To make sure that your study sessions don’t go awry, simply prepare for them in the following way:

• Choose a good place to work. You won’t be able to focus well during a study session if you’re constantly surrounded by noise, people, or located in an uncomfortable place. Find somewhere quiet where you’ll be able to focus. Also make sure that there’s space to sit, work and spread out your materials. A nook in a library or someone’s college dorm room may be good selections, as long as you can avoid distractions. Remember, the first step to a great study session is selecting a dependable and appropriate place to work.
• Have a to-do list. When you come to a study session, make sure the goal of the session is clear. What topics are you covering? What are you hoping to achieve? By having an end goal (or possibly several end goals) in mind beforehand, it will be easier for your group to focus when they’re studying. Plus, you can check off your goals at the end to ensure that all things were covered, which needed covering.
• Have all the materials you need. All subjects require different materials and different skills; you should remember this during your study session. Everyone should bring their class notes and other relevant personal material. You should also have needed tools like rulers, protractors and other materials that are relevant to the study. You don’t want to study for a trigonometry exam, for interest, without a calculator!
• Take scheduled breaks. If your study session is supposed to last for two hours, don’t sit and stare at your books for 120 minutes – no one can endure that. Schedule in needed breaks where you can use the bathroom, have something to eat or just relax from studying. These little lapses will help refuel your mental energy and prepare you for tackling more work.

As long as these considerations are taken into account before you enter into your study session, you’re likely to have a fruitful studying event! Remember, study session success depends on you; it’s up to you, and your study mates, to determine the success or failure or your learning venture.