Lisa Spievak

1. Start an assignment AT LEAST 2 days ahead of time so that when you run accross questions (which is inevitable for me) you have time to talk to the prof or a classmate before the assignment is due.

2. Take homework assignments seriously. Doing well on homework consistently throughout the semester really can boost your grade. It shows the prof that you are trying, and you also steadily learn the material throughout the semester rather than attempting to learn it all the night before the test. This makes studying for a test a piece of cake--all you need to do is review the materieal rather than learn it.

3. When studying for finals spread studying for a particular course out over a few days. There is a lot of information that you cover over the semester, and once again, slowly reviewing it allows you to focus your attention on smaller amounts of material at a time which, for me at least, allows me to better retain the info. Starting early also alleviates the anxiety the night before the test and allows you to get a good night sleep.

4. Choose a good study environment. What works best for me is someplace away from my room and my friends. Studying in my room gives me to many other temptations to prevent me from studying, i.e. the phone, tv, stereo, and roommates.

5. Plan good study breaks to get your mind off things for 30 min - 1 hour. I like to exercise, get something to eat, watch tv, hang out with friends. Breaks are tough though because you have to be disciplined to make yourself return to studying which is at times really hard.

6. Do NOT rely on caffeine to keep you awake studying. If you are that tired than you are better off going to bed for a few hours and then waking up and studying. Studying while you are tired or high on caffeine for me is counterproductive.