Take action (with texts and lecture notes)While you may have depended on rereading chapters and rewriting your notes as your main study plan before, things will be different at the college level. "You may have to read 250 pages a week. You can't reread that three or four times," says Nist.Instead, adjust the way you read and take notes. "Since college is a passive activity (you sit there, listen to lectures, take some notes), anything you can do to make it more active is a benefit." For example, jot notes in a textbook's margin to highlight key points, reflect on your reading, and review class notes. "Your high school history teacher may have given you a study guide before a test, and all you had to do was memorize it," says Nist. "Professors in college assume that you know the content; they expect you to synthesize and analyze issues."Test this! Some tips and techniques:Make some mega-flashcards. "When you used flashcards in high school, they contained factual information. Go beyond that with additional information and examples," advises Nist. Then group cards together by topic to study the concept as a whole, instead of memorizing isolated tidbits.Savvy study groups. Sure it's a great excuse to order pizza and get some work done, but you and your study buddies should power up the prep. "Don't just quiz each other. Don't just give the definition of schizophrenia--provide how it is diagnosed and treated, too. Think about the 'why' and the 'how,' not just the 'what,'" says Nist. By becoming totally immersed in a topic as a group, there will be fewer surprises come test day. Speaking of tests...Ace exam anxiety. "A lot of students who say they have test anxiety have it because they didn't study," says Nist. However, she adds, there are many legit cases of freezing up once the papers are distributed, which mostly stem from a lack of confidence in a subject you find tough. How to cope? "Learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing; don't participate in talking with students about the exam right before the test; tell yourself that you're prepared for the test and know the material."Recognize clues and cues. So how are you supposed to know what to expect from a college exam if you've never had one before? Even worse, what if you only have two or three for the semester, and can't afford to mess up? The best way, says Nist, is to simply ask the professor. "Most professors are willing to share sample questions before the exam." Of course, if you pay close attention, you can also get an idea of what your prof considers a hot topic, by the emphasis he or she places on a particular point. Beyond that, carefully looking over the syllabus and speaking with students who've taken the class already are great ways to get an academic edge, adds Nist.Stop school stress before it starts. How, you ask? Do whatever you can to maintain a good balance of classes. "Try not to put three or four reading-heavy classes (such as sociology, history, and political science) into your schedule," says Nist. You can get a book-break by interspersing performance classes like speech or computer science and/or problem-based courses like math or biology into your semester. Nist says that as a first-year student, "It's hard when you're at the bottom of the food chain, so to speak, to get the schedule you want, but try as much as possible to have balance."
