We all know studying is not the most fun part of college, but it will eventually help us to get our degrees and pursue our careers. Here are some tips that will make studying more fun and help you to lock in for that upcoming exam. 

First, set important reminders. It is crucial to get enough sleep the night before an exam. Eat food that will fuel your body before your exam or test, because the last thing you want is to be mid-test and realize you are too hungry to focus. Drink enough water throughout the day before and the day of the exam. Remember to take breaks, because you deserve to take the time to fully understand a new and challenging subject. Set realistic goals for each specific study session. And finally, reward yourself for locking in and studying hard by doing your favorite hobby, eating a snack, taking a nap or chatting with a friend. 

One of the most important parts of ensuring your studying time is productive is taking well-made notes. However, taking notes can be confusing because of how different each subject is. To combat this, use colored highlighters to brighten up your notes and make them easier to engage with. Do not underestimate how useful it is to draw a diagram or a map on a whiteboard at the end of your lecture to ensure you understand the concept you just learned. 

Now that we have established crucial factors in preparing for your future exams and tests, let us get into how to study all the information you have learned. A couple of studying techniques are the Pomodoro technique, active recall, spaced repetition, Feynman technique, body doubling and the parking lot technique. Although there is not enough room to describe each of these techniques in detail, they encourage strategies such as breaking up your studying into timed intervals of studying and breaks, learning the content then teaching the material you learned and studying with a partner. 

Some other basic tips are implementing flashcards for definitions, mind mapping, utilizing multiple techniques each time you study to ensure you do not get bored and minimizing distractions by putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb.” 

When it comes to studying for your classes here at Creighton, it will be difficult and time consuming, especially when you are first trying to get into a schedule for studying. But your professors and TAs are there to help you. Find out when all your assignments are due to ensure you are not surprised by any of your exams or quizzes. 

Overall, remember not to be too hard on yourself, especially at the beginning of the semester. Everyone is trying to get back into the swing of having to study again; you are not alone in your struggle, and you will find the note taking and studying strategies that work the best for you.