arcadefire1027

Well, I wasn't really looking for an analysis of my abilities. I was just looking for advice on gaining good study habits as well of stories from people who had gone from bad at studying, to good at studying.

I got a 1900 on the SAT's, I didn't study. And I'm going to UCR.

nontraditional

Start with the assumption that for every one hour in class you should be studying for two hours outside of class. What you'll actually need will depend on a lot of things and you'll modify how much time you spend as the course goes on, but you're better off not starting by seeing how little you can get away with.

Realize that not everything that's important will be in the books, and not everything that's important will be covered in the lectures. This will get more pronounced as you progress, but you'll need both in almost every case.

Keep a record of how much time you spend studying. Actually studying, not sitting in the library randomly Googling things with your textbooks open. A lot of people (I'm one of them) sometimes overestimate how much actual studying is happening between the time they open their books and the time they close them. Set yourself up for success by not trying to study in places where there are a lot of things that are distrcting to you. If you can focus while listening to music or while other people are coming through the area where you are working, that's fine; but if you can't, then don't do those things. The more disciplined you are about focusing on your schoolwork during the times you are studying, the more time you will have to do other things.

Try to use pockets of time during the day. If you have classes from 9 to 10 and from 11 to 12, spend the time from 10 to 11 either studying (it's a great time to go over the lecture you just sat through) or doing something else important (like eating something if you're also in class from 12 to 1 and 1 to 2).

Try to figure things out for yourself as much as possible (it's an important skill to develop) but ask for help (in class, in discussions section, in office hours, or in a private appointment if you can't make office hours) as soon as you realize you need it.

Start major assignments as early as possible and create (and stick to) deadlines for each piece of the task. You'll learn more and be less stressed if you're not trying to write 3 term papers in 4 days.

If you need to reward yourself for doing your work, that's fine. But make sure you're picking rewards that you actually want and that you aren't giving yourself for any other reason.

msl2008

I think that if you just go to lectures and pay attention and take good notes and prob study the day b4 an exam, you can prob do well in college. I didn't do that great in high school, got about the same SAT score as you and did very well in college b/c I took good notes. people always say you should study 2 hrs out of class for every hr in class. I found out that didn't work for me and just taking good notes and studying them b4 an exam was more effective. however, i made sure that i understood the material. you should be fine unless you're in one of the killer majors like engineering or pharmacy. but if you NEVER study for a test, not sure how well you'll do. cramming should be fine.

mikemac

actually what the OP says is fairly common for kids at many state schools, including the top ones. They got good grades in HS without much effort or interest in the material. But they get to college and all of a sudden all the other kids are the ones that were doing well in HS, so the pace can/does step up. I'd echo the advice about 2 hours outside of class for the hour in class; how you spend the time will differ depending on the subject, but I'd say err on the side of caution and start by putting in the time. You can always trim back if its overkill, but one thing that's almost impossible is to catch up when you've fallen behind.

There's a book I recommend to all college students called "What Smart Students Know". It is written by one of the co-founders of the Princeton Review prep service, and explains how to prepare for and study different subjects. Really a great explanation of how to use your time effectively, take notes, etc. This is exactly what the OP has asked for.

Also a web page with links to lots of useful handouts on the subject is at Helpful Study Skills Links