HOW TO: Maximize Your Study Time

Pace Yourself! Don’t cram! Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying for that big test. We know that time is limited, and that sometimes those dates creep up on you, but do yourself a favor and start early. Break up your workload into smaller pieces and try reviewing for an hour or so a day. While it may not seem like a big deal, those hours add up and can take some major pressure off the night before the test.

Find a comfortable spot. Distracted by your roommate? Try leaving your dorm room or apartment and try a change of scenery. This can help clear your mind and help you focus on the task at hand. Find a place that’s quiet and well-lit. Kill two birds with one stone and try out one of these Austin cultural staples.

First things first. Begin by reviewing the most important information first. When there is a lot of material covered on a single test, it is easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of the end goal. If you have given yourself enough time to prepare, as we mentioned in the first tip, there will be plenty of time to make it through all of your lecture notes and reading assignments. Pace yourself and start with the big concepts and main ideas first and foremost.

Take breaks. Along the lines of tips 1 and 3, it is important to spread out your studying and take breaks. Even if you do end up cramming for your test the night before, it is still important to give yourself periodic mental breaks from the material at hand. Remember to get up and stretch occasionally. If you’re studying with friends, try studying intently for 45 minutes, followed by a 15 minute chat or social media break. This is important because it helps you keep a healthy pace as you move through the material.

SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! It is very common for college students to stay up all night before a test, but this is not ideal for maximizing your brain capacity on test day.

Give your brain a chance to shut down and recharge before your exam. Trust us, it’s worth it!