Studying Like A Boss

DAY 7

My parents used to nag me all the time in high school about studying and doing schoolwork. I was stubborn and thought I had all my knowledge down. This was because I would do everything last minute, but never failed. All this ego hit me in the face when it got time to apply for universities. I was lucky enough to get accepted into a program that I wanted at a great university. Since then I had changed my study habits to never restrict my opportunities again. No one told me how to study and I had to find out on my own. Since no one told me how, I would like to share my top 5 university study tips with you guys.

Treat Study Like A Job

Work from nine to five and don't get distracted. Focus all your mental energy on schoolwork during this time. Go straight to the library and review notes or do assignments between lectures/labs. Don't waste time texting on your phone, watching videos, general procrastination, and etc. Treating your student life like a job is crucial for discipline and diligence. You can relax and enjoy your leisure time after you work, but you need to really focus when you work.

Go To Class and Listen in Class!

Skipping class is one of the worst things you can do. The lecturer is there for a reason. Their slides cover only half the content so you can't just rely on them. Lecturers explain ideas and concepts that aren't on the slides all the time. You need to be there to record this information and succeed. If the concept or idea did not make sense to you in class then you have the option to ask the lecturer about it.

I see so many people messing around on Facebook and online shops in class. Don't be tempted by this! Focus on what the professor says thats not on the slides and write notes down. This will save you so much time when you review lectures. It will also stick in your mind longer - reviewing reinforces this.

Ask Questions

You are paying for this in some way or another so don't waste a single drop of the education. Take advantage of this fact and squeeze every drop of knowledge from the professor. Check their office hours and seek them out if you are unsure of anything that they taught. They may even emphasise on something and give you a hint about what's on the exam. If you didn't already know, they are the people who write the exams.

Try to get to know the top students of your class. This is really helpful for asking questions about your specific paper. They don't have office hours and are just a Facebook message away from contact.

Hard Work Trumps Talent

Alright, we all know that kid that aces every test with minimal effort. F**k that kid. We aren't as gifted as him/her so we need to work a little harder to achieve their level of academics. It's 100% possible for anyone to ace any course with hard work. Trust me on this one, I've been there.

Get Enough Sleep

You work better when you get enough sleep. You will also pay more attention in class and won't be dozing off every couple minutes. Honestly, concentration in lectures is a very demanding process and a good night's sleep makes it noticeably easier. 

Coffee can only do so much and your sleep deprived days will add up. In time you won't be able to deal with the fatigue and will start skipping classes. Like seriously. Prioritise sleep.