Study Less, Study Smart

All of the tips you need to maximize your time managenent and studying - and your grades

Table of Contents

Videos to Get You Started

Using Books and Textbooks

Thought Organizers

Thought organizers, including graphic organizers, diagrams, concept maps, and more, are ways to help you map out ideas, connect concepts to each other, and understand what you know and what you should review. While these are most commonly used in writing, they can be used for any subject.

Take a look at some different types of thought organizers and use any that are helpful to you! (Sources: Technobabble and Microsoft Word SmartArt)

Prezi can be used to help you create digital concept maps using multiple resources at once. If you use Google Docs, you could also install Mermaid as an extension to create concept maps, diagrams, and other thought organizers directly in your document. 

Other tips for organizing your thoughts:

• Map out your thoughts before starting an assignment - you can always change formatting later.

• If the problem seems to large or complex, try to break it down into more manageable pieces and address each piece one by one.

• If you're having trouble getting started with a complex writing assignment, try writing down your initial thoughts, taking a 30-minute break to organize them, then trying to start writing. This can help you find a starting point and organize your thoughts logically in advance, rather than as you write.

• If you're having trouble getting started, start by re-reading the question. Is it clear what you're being asked to do?

  • Paraphrasing a question or prompt can help determine whether you understand it - if you have trouble doing this, you likely aren't understanding what's being asked of you.

Other Study Tips

• Find a study spot with minimal distractions and interruptions. Good study spots on campus include:

  • The ACE tutoring centers

  • The libraries (including a Zoom room and some private study rooms in Bedford)

  • Chairs around the hallways

  • Open classrooms

• If you're having trouble finding things within your backpack, study space, course materials, etc., you may need to reorganize - clear everything out and replace things in a way that makes sense to you and that you can reasonably maintain.

  • An ACE tutor can help you brainstorm how to do this!

• Make sure to study each week - the less often you review the material, the less likely you'll be to remember it later.

• Study with a buddy or a group: explaining the material to someone else is a great way to reinforce it.

  • You can have group appointments in ACE!

• If your professor records their lecture, try listening to them on your way to campus for the next lesson. This can help you review the material ahead the new content you will be covering.

• Use notecards to make a personalized set of flashcards to help remember specific equations, vocabulary, or concepts.

  • You can also make a set based on errors you've made in the past to teach yourself how to avoid them in the future.

Need More Help?

Advice from Student Leaders