Spring Break
Use your gadgets, dorm room to your advantage in studying
Liz Connolly
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Focus
There is nothing less appealing than sitting on the second floor of Homer Babbidge Library and going through note cards over and over again, to make sure you are prepared for an exam that you have the next morning. Although this way of studying is resourceful and effective, it's also tedious. To make studying more interesting, here are alternative study techniques that are just as effective, and a little more fun.
One way to study involves a gadget that most students don't leave their dorm room without: the iPod. To turn this mp3 player into a studying tool, all you need is a microphone and a computer. Most computers have a microphone built in, so it will make the process that much easier.
Take your class notes, or even chapters in a book and record yourself reading them. Then take your recorded notes and put them into a play list on your iTunes. "I like to record my notes sometimes," said Meghan Harrington, a 6th-semester dietetics major. "It's a lot easier to record them and then play them back, this way I don't miss anything."
You can listen to your notes while walking to class, or even working out at the gym. It's a great way to save time and multi-task.
Another way to save time during midterm season is to make little notes around the dorm room. Think about the time you spend in your dorm. In the morning, you're there getting ready for class, and your free time is spent at your desk or on your bed.
To get in some studying time while you are in your room, try placing flash cards throughout it. This way while doing simple things such as brushing your teeth, you can get some study time in.
"A few days before my test I usually keep a few flash cards by my computer," said Timothy Rosol, a 6th-semester economics major. "This way even while I'm procrastinating I can get a little bit of studying done."
A few strategic places for the study notes are the mirror in your bathroom, your dresser drawers, and the doors you use most often. Any part of the room you look at most is where the notes should be placed.
A final tactic that will help you to understand your material is group discussions.
"Having group discussions is my favorite way to study," said Laura Fasy, a 6th semester communications major. "Being able to discuss the material really helps me absorb everything."
Introduce yourself to a few of your classmates and see if they would be willing to start a study group. Not only does this allow you to talk about the material and develop an understanding of it, it also helps you make connections with classmates. This can be beneficial if you miss a class, or have a question about an assignment.
One way to study involves a gadget that most students don't leave their dorm room without: the iPod. To turn this mp3 player into a studying tool, all you need is a microphone and a computer. Most computers have a microphone built in, so it will make the process that much easier.
Take your class notes, or even chapters in a book and record yourself reading them. Then take your recorded notes and put them into a play list on your iTunes. "I like to record my notes sometimes," said Meghan Harrington, a 6th-semester dietetics major. "It's a lot easier to record them and then play them back, this way I don't miss anything."
You can listen to your notes while walking to class, or even working out at the gym. It's a great way to save time and multi-task.
Another way to save time during midterm season is to make little notes around the dorm room. Think about the time you spend in your dorm. In the morning, you're there getting ready for class, and your free time is spent at your desk or on your bed.
To get in some studying time while you are in your room, try placing flash cards throughout it. This way while doing simple things such as brushing your teeth, you can get some study time in.
"A few days before my test I usually keep a few flash cards by my computer," said Timothy Rosol, a 6th-semester economics major. "This way even while I'm procrastinating I can get a little bit of studying done."
A few strategic places for the study notes are the mirror in your bathroom, your dresser drawers, and the doors you use most often. Any part of the room you look at most is where the notes should be placed.
A final tactic that will help you to understand your material is group discussions.
"Having group discussions is my favorite way to study," said Laura Fasy, a 6th semester communications major. "Being able to discuss the material really helps me absorb everything."
Introduce yourself to a few of your classmates and see if they would be willing to start a study group. Not only does this allow you to talk about the material and develop an understanding of it, it also helps you make connections with classmates. This can be beneficial if you miss a class, or have a question about an assignment.
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