Many high school students don’t realize the major transition they will be making when begin their college career. There are many differences between high school and college, and if a high school student is prepared, that transition can become much easier.
With that said, it is vital that high school students have excellent study habits before they head off to college so they will be more adjusted to the challenging assignments and tests they will encounter.
In a recent article by Cathryn Sloane, she interviewed a variety of college students that say that identifying these study habits or strategies in high school will pave the path to success in university academics.
The following are some excellent words of advice from these college students.
Lexie Swift, a senior at the University of Iowa said, “High school students should try a variety of study methods to figure out what works best for them. That way, when they are in college, they will know what is most effective and won’t hurt their grades trying to figure it out.”
According to Sloane, these study methods may include making and using a series of flashcards for a test, alternating between subjects when reviewing for final exams to avoid overwhelming oneself with one particular subject, or having a friend quiz you on the material so the information is not right in front of you.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges a college freshman faces is the enormous amount of reading he or she will have to do. Most high school students can’t even fathom what they will encounter, so it is a great idea to start practicing now.
Tiffany Sorensen, who graduated from Stony Brook University last spring, says, “You’ll be doing yourself a huge disfavor if you do not get into the habit of reading in high school. Also, you should make a conscious effort to understand vocabulary in your high school readings. The words will only get more complex in college.”
Sloane adds that when students are preparing for exams, they should get into the habit of creating their own comprehensive study guides.
Caleb Zimmerman, a senior at King’s College in New York City, says that you should take all of the information you need for the test and organize it in one spot. “Whenever I have a big test, I get everything I need to know together in one place.”
Entering college with an excellent set of study skills will only help make you more successful. If you need some help learning how to study or need advice on what type of studying best fits you, please contact us and set up an appointment so we can guide you in the right direction.