Lily: Go through and map out lectures in a way that makes sense to you, whether that be through making your own notes, highlighting the slides, etc., and incorporate active learning as part of studying as early as possible. This could be through making your own flashcards, finding old flashcards that correspond to the chapter of the book that is being taught, or even brain-dumping/ making concept maps. Working with others and having a solid study group is also extremely useful, and explaining the topic out loud or asking friends when unsure will help solidify information even further. Also, make sure to complete as many practice questions and practice exams as possible, but do this a few days before the exam to allow yourself time to review your mistakes and go through each question, understanding why the answer is right but also why the other choices are wrong.

Tim: Practice problem-solving as Chemistry often involves problem-solving, particularly in fields like organic chemistry, biochemistry, and even general biology. Practicing solving problems regularly reinforces your understanding of concepts and develops your analytical skills. This could be through practice problems or even old test questions. Also, remember to take care of your physical and mental health; get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and take breaks when needed. Lastly, engage in active learning instead of passively reading textbooks or lecture notes to engage with the material. This could involve summarizing key points in your own words, creating concept maps, or teaching the material to someone else like a peer lesson.

Sirisha: Remember, practice makes progress! Don't be discouraged by challenges you encounter in math and statistics. Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Take advantage of resources like tutoring sessions, online practice problems, and study groups to reinforce your understanding and build confidence in tackling complex concepts. Break down problems into smaller, manageable steps, and don't hesitate to ask questions when you need clarification. With perseverance and determination, you'll be amazed at how much you can achieve! 

Jess: One thing I recommend is trying to immerse yourself in the new language in your everyday life. When I was learning Spanish, I liked to listen to Bad Bunny and watch telenovelas or news with my friends. I found that over time, I remembered new words that I would not have even known in a classroom setting and it helped me to pick up and hear Spanish words. Beyond immersing yourself, I think using the language is another important component. Try to practice Spanish with your classmates or even your friends and eventually, you will have the confidence to naturally converse with another Spanish speaker! 

Shekhar: My biggest piece of advice is to teach the content yourself! Whenever you study, try reading your notes aloud - the best thing to do is put them in your own words! If you imagine that you are giving the lecture to a group of students, suddenly you have to interpret the words and make them your own, which will help you retain the information way more. Doing this for the material as often as you can (spaced repetition) is a great way to nail down all of the content in a course.

Ria: My biggest study advice includes refraining from comparing yourself to others. Everyone studies at different paces and methods and it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to one of your peers! Remember, you know what works for you when it comes to studying, and to stick with it! 

Ayla: Figure out what study strategies work best for you! Everyone learns differently- just because something worked for another person doesn’t mean it’ll work for you and vice versa. Try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Also, take the upper years’ advice with a grain of salt (including this advice!) While seeking advice is always helpful, it’s important to take others’ advice in the context of your own experiences and observations. Personally, I would recommend staying on top of lectures as they occur rather than cramming lectures the week before an exam (EX: for Year 3, I try to review lectures for both pathology and neuro/micro that week, regardless of which exam is coming up next). Although this can make for a more intense day-to-day workload, I’ve found that I’m more relaxed and have less to do in the days before an exam.