College studying tips that might help!

I just graduated college and with my meds (topamax, then I switched to tegretol because of weight loss) I found it very hard to find the energy and brain power for studying and doing homework. I found some simple techniques that worked for me, maybe they will work for you to. This also helped me because I was a procrastinator (and still am!)

In high school I was a straight C student. I graduated college with a 3.5, and I had a 4.0 my last two semesters.

 The obvious, make time to study- I found it hard to sit down for two hours and study, so I would study for 20 minute intervals. In between studying I would make my lunch, watch a good show on TV, go out for a short walk around the block, or go to the store to pick up some groceries. I was able to retain the information better, and making studying a good habit.  

Find a place to study- I searched the campus for a place I could be by myself, and a place that wasn’t to cold, to hot, to loud, to quiet. I found the upper level in the library best. Go study spot hunting, see what you find. Every time I got up there I became ‘in the zone’, and wrote my more important papers up there.

Make a list- I make a list of everything anyways, but make a list for school work. Prioritize what needs to be done first. On this list you can include writing the outline for a paper, writing the actual paper, reading chapters, and so on.

Use folders- For every big paper, I used one of those 10 cent folders from walmart. On the cover of the folder I wrote the class, what the paper was, and the criteria it would be graded. In the folder I would put my notes, outside sources, and drafts. Once I was done I would put the folder in a box, and it felt to nice to have it complete. This is handy if you have to go back and revise, you have everything you started with already!

Stay positive- A positive attitude is a must. Don’t get discouraged, and do not get frustrated. School is hard, it’s not meant to be easy. What you get out of it is up to you, and anything worth getting is worth earning.

Talk to your professors- This might be very difficult for some of you, but trust me, with 99% of your teachers it will help. You don’t have to walk up to them and say “hi, I have epilepsy” but there are ways you can get to the point. For example, if you are having a trouble with the reading because it is too much, make an appoint with your professor to talk about it. You can simply explain to them that you are not fully understanding the information, and you would like to discuss it further to get a better grasp. Now, if you do want to tell your teacher about epilepsy (I told a few of mine) I would make an appointment with them and say something like this: “I am really enjoying this class and the subject if very fascinating, I just don’t think I’m understanding it write. I have epilepsy and the medications I take slow down my thinking, and I’m not keeping up with the reading like I want to”. From there you can ask for suggestions on how you can understand the material, some subject have little tips and tricks your teacher will know about. Don’t be afraid to stay 5 minutes after class asking questions about the subject, make sure they are all answered. With professors from larger schools, this might be hard, but they have assistants that are there to help you.

Take notes while you read- If you are reading and you think something is important, write it down. Highlight it to, but you have to do both. It helps so much to have the short notes on a page, and if you have to go back and see where the information was to put it in context, its highlighted. This made things so easy.

Pencil in some fun time!- Every once and a while you have to blow out some steam. Going to the gym is good, but going out with friends is good to. Stay out late one night, be daring and adventurous. Its good to be a ‘bad kid’ every once and a while, you will strengthen relationships with your friends, and have time to leave the school work aside.

I studied interpersonal and public communication, and I wish I could go to college for another 4 year with this major, it was a lot of fun. If anyone is taking a communication class and needs help (topic ideas and such, especially for speeches) but message me, I would be more then happy to help!! I also can offer tips on public speaking that works! Public speaking was a terrible fear of mine because I was afraid I would have a seizure in front of everyone, but I learned how to keep my cool and get an A on over 20 speeches I gave my senior year.