The following study tips are from the Orientation Leaders of 1996 (with just a bit of editing). Remember that different students use different study strategies with equally positive results. Try several approaches and see what works best for you.
| *Reading Strategies | *Lecture Notes |
| *Where to Study | *Studying for Exams |
| *Time Management & Motivation | *UIC Resources |
| *Writing Papers | *Math Strategies |
| *Science Strategies | *Stress Control |
Marko: In high school I didn't have to read. I could get by just studying my notes. In college you can't do that. Many tests and quizzes are based on the readings.
Alana: Before reading a chapter, I go through and look at anything in bold letters (ie. headings and definitions) so I'll know the general ideas of the chapter.
Erika: Sometimes I scan to prepare myself. I estimate the amount of time needed to cover all the material and that helps me avoid procrastinating. If my mind wanders, I'll take notes while reading.
Marko: I don't highlight everything because everything won't be on the test. I highlight the most important points in the text. When I finish a chapter, I read the summary. Finally, I skim through the chapter one final time.
Kesha: Read the chapter summaries and look over the bold terms because evidently the author feels those things are the most important. Also, time yourself! Then go tell someone what you read about to make sure you understood it.
Sanobeia: Study whatever is boring early in the day because if you study at night after a hard day, forget it, you're going to go to sleep!
Priyanka: Don't get stuck on specific words or specific statements you can't grasp. A good idea is to get a sense of the text as a whole. As you read, make connections with other parts of the book.
Miguel: I don't sell my books back. I sometimes use them for future reference.
Kamilah: The more you read, the faster you'll read. You need to find something you like to read and then read more often.
M.: Do not miss a lecture, ever, no matter what. Read the chapter before the lecture and bring coffee. Professors don't care if you bring a whole gallon if it helps you keep alert.
Prince: Reading the chapter once before the lecture helps you understand the material and stay interested in the lecture. Also, try to stick around in the lecture room after class and fill in what you missed or left out.
Kesha: I try to read before the lecture, but if not, I just bring my book to class and highlight what the professor talks about.
Erika: Always sit in front and just keep taking notes. Try to write throughout the entire lecture.
Melissa: I outline my notes as I am taking them and then later I highlight important headers.
Sanobeia: It's better to pay attention and write good notes in class, rather than taping lectures. Also, highlight headings in the notes because when you are studying for an exam, then you can immediately pick out important information you need to know.
Belia: I use the Cornell Method for taking notes. In my notebook, before class, I draw a line, making a 1 1/2-inch margin on the left. Then I take notes on the right side of the paper and add questions pertaining to the notes on the left side.
Evelyn: I underline main topics, definitions, and anything the professor repeats or emphasizes.
Kamilah: If you miss class, get notes from someone you know is a good note taker.
Erika: If I feel I'll become distracted in my dorm room, I study elsewhere -- away from the phone and TV.
M.: I study in the Honors College study room and lounge, the library, and empty classrooms. I like to vary the location. It's important to be comfortable -- not too hot or too cold. It's also important to get away from nagging family, friends, phone, TV, etc.
Michele: I like to study in the library at least once every day. Why? Because I'm surrounded by other UIC students, some of whom may be in the same course. In the library there are certain sections for quiet and not so quiet studying. There are also private rooms available for studying in groups.
Sandra: I have my own office at home with a big desk and a big chair. There are no phones or TV's in my office. When I'm studying I keep the blinds closed to keep distractions out. If my mind starts to wander, I just remind myself how much time I'm going to save by learning this now and not having to cram later.
Teayonia: I like to study in a not too noisy and not too quiet environment. If it's too noisy I get distracted. If it's too quiet I might get bored.
Kathy: I like to study at home, but I'm trying to get away from that because there are too many distractions at home -- the phone, my bed, the fridge, the radio, the TV. It's a good idea to study at a library close to home or with friends in a group.
Marko: I like to study in the quiet areas at the library and I also like to close myself up in a room at home away from any possible distractions.
Priyanka: I like to study in bookstores. When it's time for a break, I can browse or go get some coffee. That's a nice incentive.
Kamilah: Study a little every day and make it fun. Do it with friends and order a pizza.
Belia: After about an hour of studying I take a 10-minute break. You need to take a little break and relax, then go back to the books.
Manuel: I like to study in the same location with a friend. About an hour into studying I check up on my friend or he checks up on me. We do this to make sure our minds don't wander. We take a 10 or 15-minute break and then continue studying for another hour or so.
Terrell: Get to know your TA's because they can give you good study techniques. My art history TA gave me a study technique in which I used an outline to record important information about each work of art. It helped me to study for the quizzes and final.
Kira: I like rice krispies treats, so before I go off to study I make a batch of treats and take them with me. After I've been studying for awhile I'll eat one.
Brian: After the first test you get an idea of what the instructor wants and so you change your study habits to what you think the instructor will ask on the following tests.
Priyanka: Talk to your professors regularly. Exploring verbally what you learned during lectures helps you retain things.
M.: Don't just memorize; understand key facts. Try to remember things as stories to be retold, like the hottest gossip that you're going to repeat. A lot of students study in groups, but I prefer to work on my own.
Prince: The best way to prepare for an exam is group study, because two heads are better than one. Start studying at least three days before the exam. Also, don't just memorize; that lasts only a few days and gives you limited knowledge. You really have to sit down and understand the concept, formula, or theory.
Erika: I use note cards when studying for an exam.
Kesha: I constantly quiz myself on the material and try to answer questions from the book.
Kamilah: I use my UIC Daily ritually. It lists all important dates, holidays, and upcoming events around campus. Also, staying at school late helps me accomplish more.
Kira: I use two planners. In one I list my homework assignments and in the other my appointments and work. I highlight each item as I finish it.
Dawn: I write a "to do" list once or twice a week. I decide on priorities and try to do the items in order of importance.
Belia: I write out the assignments from each syllabus in my UIC Daily. I use a different color ink for each class. Each day I also write down my reading and other assignments to do.
Melissa: I use a 16-week calendar and plot out all exams, papers, and major projects. This allows me to see where my busiest weeks are and to plan accordingly.
Nancy: Writing assignments in my Daily helps me plan which days I may need to take off from work.
M.: Check and reply to E Mail once a week. Get an answering machine; don't get a TV.
Kathy: Resisting friends is important. You have to learn to say no. I hate to miss things. I want to be there having fun, but I remind myself I have to keep my priorities straight. School has to come first. There will be other times to see my friends.
Marko: I tell my friends to leave me alone during the week. Weekends are for friends, but during the week is for school. I shut off the TV and leave the phone unplugged.
Michele: With a lot of jobs on campus it's possible to get some studying done at work. I limit my work to 10 hours a week.
Teayonia: To keep myself motivated, when I finish studying I reward myself with food and different activities. I also think about what happened to my friends who didn't keep focused on their grades.
Evelyn: I reward myself by shopping! It's something to look forward to when studying.
Brian: I keep a daily reminder. My friends laugh at me when I have to check my book to see if I can hang out with them, but if I have a test coming up -- or a paper -- I have to prioritize.
Tyesa: I tell my friends not to call at certain hours. If they don't listen, I tell them that I am paying too much money not to get an A out of my classes.
Miguel: I think the most important thing is not just going to class and reading the book, but whenever you have a question, it's absolutely necessary to speak to the professor. He's the one that knows the topic and he's the best one to answer the question.
Kathy: See your TA's during their office hours and talk to your professors. The first semester here I sat in the back and was an unknown face. This semester I got to know my T.A.'s and professors and went to see them during their office hours. I feel more comfortable now and I think it's helped me do better.
Dawn: Get help right away. Don't wait until you're doing badly in a class and have to catch up.
Teayonia: Get tutoring at LARES, ACE, AAAN, or the Honors College. Go to different TA's, not just your own.
Priyanka: The Student Development Office has a program called "Take Your Professor Out To Lunch". You get a chance to talk with your professor and exchange ideas. Always get to know your professor. Verbalizing your ideas helps you remember more.
M.: It's a good idea to get to know professors and T.A.'s. I've actually gotten to be on a first name basis with a couple of my professors. They want to help. Reach out when you need them.
Prince: The only way to get to know a professor is to sit in the front row of class every day. Then go to her/his office hours. Also, get to know the T.A.'s. You spend more time talking with them, and they know you well enough to help you.
Sandra: Don't put off writing your papers. I learned this the hard way. Problems can arise at the last minute. For instance, your computer might break down.
Kira: When I get a writing assignment I make copies of the articles that pertain to the topic of my paper, I highlight important information, and write notes in the margins of the articles. Then I compile all the information and begin my outline.
Priyanka: I am the Queen of Procrastination, so I thought the best idea would be to take advantage of the services offered at the Writing Center, in Burnham Hall. As soon as I get a topic, I go to the Writing Center and start brainstorming with an adviser there. After that, I go back with a rough draft.
Prince: The Writing Center is like a workshop where you take your injured papers and get them fixed. The people at the Writing Center are very nice and friendly. It's helpful to work with just one person; don't take the same paper to three different people for a critique.
Kamilah: It's a good idea to turn in a rough draft to your professor for comments.
Miguel: Write, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit ... final copy.
Marko: After you've finished researching a paper, make an outline and confer with your professor. Next, write the rough draft, give the draft to your professor, correct the rough draft, and finally write the final copy.
Marko: Do your homework whether you have to turn it in or not. At first I figured that if I didn't have to turn it in I wouldn't do the homework. I got a 46% on my first exam. For the second test, I did all the homework and did several chapter reviews and practice tests. I got a 94% on that exam.
Sandra: You should expect math to be a time consuming class. Doing the homework is the biggest thing and the Math Lab located in Taft Hall is helpful. Also, I studied with classmates when the opportunity presented itself. This was nice because when we explained things to each other we found out how much we didn't know.
Teayonia: I keep candy close by and every time I finish a problem I reward myself with a piece of candy.
Michele: To do well in math, definitely study in groups. There's also a Math Lab in Taft. There are a lot of places on campus that have practice exams available (library, professors, etc.). These practice exams are very useful.
Kira: If you don't understand something, go see a tutor. Honors College offers tutoring and it's free!
Miguel: Always, always do the assigned problems and then also do other problems that weren't assigned. I've noticed a pattern with my professors. On the tests, there always seem to be some of the problems that weren't assigned.
Kathy: I not only went to my own discussion but I also went to other T.A.'s discussions in hopes that something would stick.
Nancy: Always take at least two practice tests and talk to the professor and T.A.! The Math Labs are very helpful and so is the workshop which counts for one credit hour.
M.: I always do practice tests and go to review sections.
Sanobeia: The T.A.'s and professors know what you need to know and they will work with you -- not to mention give you helpful tips. You can't shy away from them when you're dealing with math. They'll help you pull up your grade.
Dawn: For chemistry, I read whatever is in bold face first and then I go back and read all the text, highlighting the most important information. To memorize chemical reactions, I use index cards. I can take them wherever I go and look at them whenever I have free time. I see a tutor twice a week.
Sandra: When reviewing a chapter, make sure you understand the diagrams, pictures, and charts. Diagrams are the most important thing.
Miguel: Do some looking around in the bookstore for good study guides and review books.
Sanobeia: When reading science books, make sure you read the examples because that's how you understand. If you don't read the examples you'll be lost during class.
Priyanka: Working out or playing sports relieves stress. You should have incentives after your homework is done: go out, talk with a friend, read for pleasure, have fun. You could try a workshop on stress reduction offered by Psychology Live (Counseling Center).
Evelyn: I work out to relieve stress. Before a test I practice breathing techniques. If I'm still anxious during a test I chew some gum.
Kamilah: I read "Love Is ... " in the Sun Times every day. It makes me smile.
Kesha: I pray, pray, and pray!
Alana: To control stress and remain positive, I call people in my family or my boyfriend. They'll usually talk to me and make me feel comfortable about any situation.
Teayonia: I go to church, participate in positive activities, and surround myself with positive people.
Tyesa: I stay in constant contact with my adviser from AAAN. I also gain support from older students as well as my positive peers.
Terrell: I play a favorite game or joke around with my friends. A good laugh can help relieve stress.
Sandra: I study as much as possible until I have an adequate understanding. Then I don't think about my studies while I'm doing other activities.
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Comments: Cecelia Downs