22 Brilliant Study Tips For College Students to Get That 4.0 GPA

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Hate studying and need some help? Here are the best study tips for college students to ace this semester.

Developing good study habits at the beginning of each semester is the secret of every successful college student. The later you wait, the harder it is to stay motivated to get that 4.0.

Studying can be time-consuming and just boring. We end up pushing it to the last minute. Let’s be real those late-night cram sessions were not helping.

As someone who hates waiting until the last minute for things, I will share my no-BS secrets on how to stay motivated while studying and effective study methods to ensure you actually learn than memorize. After learning about these study tips for college students, you will see a massive difference in your grades.

This post shows you 22 study tips fo college students to ace this semester.

Study Tips for College Students

Create an Effective Study Schedule:

Figure out your learning style: There are four different learning styles: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic. Everyone learns differently. For example, I’m more of a visual and auditory learner. So I like to watch Youtube videos and make flashcards. Make sure you tailor how you study that benefits you.

Here are some different study methods for college students:

SQ3R Methods: The method is a reading comprehension technique to help retain information from textbooks.
- Survey: Don’t read every single word. Just begin by skimming through your textbook and take notes on things that stand out to you.
- Question: When you are surveying your textbook, come up with questions about each chapter to test what you know and already know.
- Read: Begin reading each chapter and answer the questions that you had.
- Recite: After reading, try to summarize the chapter in your own words that work best for you. Try recalling the key points and important facts.
- Review: Once you finish the chapter and summarise. Take the time to review what you need more time on and quiz yourself.
Color-Coded Notes: This is pretty self-explanatory. Study shows that color can improve someone’s memory and engage with the learning materials.
- Red: Important information and tips
- Yellow: Vocabulary
- Green: Formulas or Examples
- Don’t color everything, just essential topics
Mind Mapping: This study method is perfect for my visual learners. First, you grab a blank sheet of paper and write your study topic, for example, “plant cell,” connect one of your main ideas using your notes to your study topic, then connect your supporting ideas to your
Leitner Method: This study method makes students learn through repetition using flashcards. You keep your flashcards in different boxes. For every card you get correctly, you move to the next box. If you get any wrong, you move it back to the previous box or keep it in box 1.
- Box 1: review daily
- Box 2: ever two days
- Box 3: every four day

Get a planner: I know what your thinking. I’ve heard this all before, but I promise you it will change your study game. This is the one thing that I think that no one should procrastinate on.

At the beginning of each semester, I go over every syllabus and write down assignments and exams. I usually like to schedule my study sessions throughout the week. I will assign each day a task and the amount of time to do that task. Here are some more tips on how to organize your planner at the beginning of the school year.

Time Blocking: Utilize time blocking. Block out chunks of time during your day to designate time for a particular assignment, study sessions, or personal scheduling. Check out this youtube video on a step by step guide for time blocking.

Don’t Overstudy. Study a little a day: Surprisingly or not, there is such a thing as too much studying. Over studying does not benefit you at all. Know when to put down the book and take a break.

How to Study Efficiently For Exams

Here are some effective study techniques to utilize before and during studying. Also some tips on how to stay motivated while studying.

Change your scenery: When I'm preparing for an exam, I like to break out of my regular study scenery.

When looking at the same four walls of your room, you get tempted by distractions. Grab your backpack and find a quiet place to study like your school's library or cafe

Create a distraction-free zone: Remove anything that distracts you. If you are tempted to go on your phone, place it in another room with do not disturb. Or download self-control on your laptop. It's a free app that blocks websites for a certain amount of time.

Make a friend in each class: I know that this study tip is overwhelming. But making a friend in each class benefits you for so many reasons. You can set up times to study with each other or play.

Have a specific goal each time you study: When you're studying for your class, create a goal for your study session. For example, a language learning class "to understand how to conjugate for -er verbs."

Exercise and eat healthy: A recent study shows the healthier you are mind and body will ensure full functionality

Study Tips for Students

Listen to music: You can listen to any music you like, but I suggest playing instrumental, jazz, and lo-fi music because it makes good background music and helps you pay attention while studying.

Utilize Flashcards/ Quizlet: Quizlet is perfect for the on-the-go if you had the app and has fun games for you to use. I like to write things out, but having Quizlet available anytime makes it nice.

Take Timed Breaks: Honestly, studying for hours straight sounds awful. It's always easier to focus but having breaks in between each task and subject. What I learned that I like best when doing assignments is using the Pomodoro Technique, which is you set a 25-minute timer and work on that assignment, then take a 5-minute break; every four rounds, you take a 15-30 minute break and repeat the cycle.

Study Tips to Maintain Grades

Do extra credit even if you don't need it: If your professor is offering extra credit, utilize it. Most professors give you the grade that you aren't throughout the course. It's so rare that the professor is offering extra credit.

So even if you are making a hundred in that class, I recommend taking the time to do the extra credit.

Study with study guide: Your professor gave you a study guide for a reason. Take the time to go over it and review chapters over that study guy. It will help your study sessions go so smoothly because you know it's going to be on the test.

Go over old lecture slides: I always found reviewing old lecture slides to be helpful while I'm studying. It helps me figure out what chapters to look up and answer any questions that I have.

Watch YouTube videos: If you're an auditory learner looking up YouTube videos will be your lifesaver. If you don't understand a specific topic, I promise you you can find it on YouTube.

How to Stay Motivated While Studying

Create study rewards: Ward's is the best method of studying for me. Having something to look for at the end of the week after a long week of studying well boost your motivation to get everything done. Here are a few ideas:

Fun solo date night to your favorite restaurant
Rent a new movie
Buy your favorite candy

Release and reduce stress: Try to set aside an hour or two weeks to release some pressure. trust me, you're going to have some of those days that you feel so overwhelmed, and having this time will change your life. Here's a list of a few ways to reduce some stress:

Drawing
Yoga
Taking a bath
Exercising
Play with pets.
Watching a movie
Prayer

Make sure you take care of your mental health while you're in college. Don't get too overwhelmed worrying about grades, saving money, and things you can't control. Here are some self-care ideas for college students to feel refreshed.