Study Tips

There is a famous Chinese saying about when the journey of a thousand miles begins. For me it begins when I start complaining about having to get out of bed. I am a creature of comfort. I like my food hot, my coffee fast and my work load to be light. Imagine what a shock it was when I entered college and saw the required reading list, including summer texts.  It seemed like my thousand miles just added 3000 more steps.  Managing the reading required for a degree course makes all the difference between having a rewarding college experience or making the hardest walk of your life.

College degrees require a high volume of reading in almost every class. Professors do not care if you have 4 or 5 classes. Their job is to see that you learn what you are required to in their class.  The volume of the assignments and variety of reading required will make you an accomplished juggler in no time.  First get the syllabus from each of your professors and write down on a calendar when things are due. The soonest due gets the highest priority.  If you have a novel to read, look at the number of chapters and split it evenly between the numbers of days until the day before it has to be finished (that way you get an extra day in case of emergency). If you get absorbed in the novel (it could happen) you can read over your allotment, but if it’s a struggle at least you get it done.

For each day’s required reading, put the hardest reading first. Anything that requires strong concentration and critical reading should be your first thing to tackle in your study session. Material you are going to speed read or skim can go last because you won’t need that much concentrative energy to go through it.  Finally, after a reading break to clear your head, review any class notes or related material. That will make your reading time more efficient.

No matter how much you whine, the ancient wisdom is still correct. The journey through your required reading begins when you open the book.