Study Tips for a UConn Super Student!

Hi Everyone, Jessica here!

As the semester gets underway and midterm exams start to creep their way into students’ planners, it’s important to prepare oneself adequately and efficiently for upcoming quizzes, projects, and exams. In my years at UConn, I’ve come to learn what works for me in terms of learning the information, and what I have to do in order to retain the knowledge and apply it when it comes to a lab practical, test, or assignment.

First of all, go to class. Learning starts in the classroom. Yes, it might be easier to simply read a textbook and wake up three hours later than originally planned, but professors and teaching assistants (also known as “TAs”) are valuable resources when it comes to providing information that will not only be on a test, but also answering questions and showing their students helpful services and tools that will ultimately contribute to success in one’s studies.

Go to class!

In conjunction with attending regularly scheduled classes, I’ve found that professor office hours and review sessions offered outside of lectures are critical in finding the answers to specific questions, or clarifying exam topics. Every professor and TA at the University of Connecticut is required to hold office hours throughout the week, and all are willing to meet outside of their regular hours.

A student meets with her professor to prepare for her exam.

Over my past five semesters, I’ve also learned a lot about time management. Leaving work to the last minute is never a good idea. I suggest looking over the material a week in advance, organizing notes, gathering materials, and making sure all problems are cleared up at this time. If you’d like to utilize some new study techniques, I advise visiting the Academic Achievement Center, located in the Center for Undergraduate Education.

Finally, it’s time to get cracking. I’d suggest rewriting class  notes, going over lecture slides, and reviewing assigned readings. It’s good to do this in a place where you can focus the best, with minimal distractions. My personal favorite location is the fourth floor of the Homber Babbidge Library (the silent study floor) but there are plenty of other places across campus if dead-silence doesn’t excite you.

Time to get to studying on the fourth floor of the Homer Babbidge Library!