Study Habits and the College Investment

College costs a lot of money and it isn't getting cheaper. For a student, there is really just one option: you need to maximize the investment of tuition by maximizing the return on your investment of time and money into school.

Good study habits are essential to success in any level of school. Regardless of the class and its individual difficulty, the proper level of preparation and research is going to coincide with the total educational value you achieve when learning a new subject. This return will also be visually realized with grades and a GPA that you can use to find more choices for scholarships and financial aid.


What is the right study habit? Basically, it is unique for every individual student, but I will give you a few hints to get started figuring out what works for you. Listen to your mind and learn the environment that allows you to read uninterrupted and contemplate the content.

Avoiding outside distractions is essential. Try turning the phone and instant messengers off for an hour or two and let the battery charge a bit.

Some people like quiet, but I personally like to listen to music. Some people like to sit at a desk, some people like to stretch out on a bed. There is no right or wrong on matters of comfort when you're studying , just be sure to be respectful and mindful of the noise if you're at a library.

Take notes: In class or at home reading, one of the most essential ways to retain knowledge and expand your ideas is to take notes on key topics, events, people, dates, theories, or formulae. Memory retention increases exponentially if you take the time to write a fact down, so bring several good pens and a blank notebook any time you're going to study or do homework.