By Isabella Escobar

Studying for your high school classes is completely different than college. In college, you are going to need to put in a lot more time and effort. Studying the night before a test does not cut it in college. College tests include more material and are weighted the majority of your grade. It’s important to begin studying at least three days in advance to make sure you master all the material. Therefore, it is important to learn what the best methods of studying work for you. Below are some study tips to help you prepare for the college workload: 

1. Stay Organized

It is important to stay organzied during college because it is very easy to get distracted or overwhelmed by classes. The best method to staying organzied is having a calendar or a planner with all of your due dates, exams, social events, and extra curricular events. My favorite method to staying organized is placing a big monthly calendar on top of my deks with all of my events and due dates. This method is helpful for me because it forces me to stare at my calendar and see what I have to do for the month. Here’s a link to my favorite desk calendar. 

2. Environment 

Your study environment is very important in order for you to be the most productive and comprehend the most. Depending if you thrive most in a quiet environment or a loud one, here are some study spots on FSU campus.

• Robert Manning Strozier Library: FSU’s main library located in the central of campus is great for everyone. The noise levels vary by floor, as you go up the library the quieter it gets. There are also study rooms you can rent for a few hours with your friends or individual study rooms to be the most focused. 

• Dirac Science Library: Another one of FSU’s main libraries that is located in the among the science and math buildings that supports STEM related research. Here you can also find individual study rooms, check out laptop, chargers or even buy a coffee at Starbucks. 

• Innovation Hub: The innovation hub is apart of FSU’s iSchool, it is a more lowkey spot where you can find a collaborative working environment. 

3. Note Taking 

Finding the best way to take notes varies from person to person. Try out different techniques to find the best solution for you. The best way to take notes during lecture is to write down the key points and supplement them with information from your textbook 

4. Study Techniques

This may not be for everyone but my favorite study technique is to create a Google Document and takes notes of the material as I am learning it. This method works because it acts as a study guide for when it is time to study for a test, you will have all your notes in one place. Another method study method is Quizlet, it’s a simple learning tool that has flashcards and games to help you master the material. 

5. Health

College can be very stressful and taking care of your physical and mental health is very important. Don’t forget to take a break, sleep, and eat healthy in order to be the best version of yourself. 

College is an exciting but also stressful time, make sure to enjoy the transition between high school and college and make sure to get involved as much as you can!