Studying: Easy to Do, Hard to Master
by Dr. Anahid Kassabian
published for U-WIRE* Feb. 19, 2001

*U-Wire member papers have full permission to reprint all or part of this column. Enjoy!

• Why don't my old high-school study habits seem to work anymore?
• How do I stay afloat when I can't keep up with my readings?

I was always a really really good student in high school, but all of a sudden at college I am always confused and no longer get good grades. I don't know what has gone wrong. I study so hard, and get my work done. Sometimes when I'm reading I feel like everything is going in my head and coming right back out. How can I learn to read better and understand the content?

Study skills change, as you've noticed, and it's good that you've realized you need to develop some new ones. But how to do it?

There are several basic approaches:

1. Listen carefully to what the professor says at the end of class. In my classes I often mention things that connect to the next reading, which can serve as hints to what I think is important in it. I'm pretty sure other faculty do this, too, though perhaps not everyone.

2. Look at the way your reading materials are constructed. Often the books themselves will tell you what's important to know, possibly by italicizing or bolding words, dividing chapters into sections or by providing discussion questions. Don't overlook such blatant tips.

3. Look at the quizzes or tests and talk to previous students. Try to get a sense of what *kinds* of questions each of your professors asks. I'm notorious for asking big conceptual questions, whereas others of my colleagues ask for names and dates. If you know which one you're studying for, it makes the work a lot easier.

4. Test out several different note-taking methods to find out which suits you best. Try using a highlighter, note cards, taking notes in a notebook. You'll probably find that one of them works better with how you read and think than others.

5. Study in groups. I've said this in previous columns, and I really believe study groups are important. They help you get a more rounded perspective on the questions and issues.

6. Talk to your professors or TAs. Ask if they have any suggestions or recommendations. Some faculty know fairly precisely how students should study for their classes in order to be successful, so don't shy away from tapping that resource.

I hope one or two (or more) of these suggestions help - let me know!

I study my butt off for exams but I never get the grade I want. I can't figure out what the problem is. I study up to the night before the exam. I review my notes, do practice problems from old homework assignments, and read over the sections that will be covered on the exam. Is this the wrong way to go about it? I have a hard time keeping up with the reading assignments, so I don't cover everything until the night before.

This is a complicated question, so let's tackle it in stages.

First of all, a question. Do you have a harder time with some kinds of courses than others? Is literature worse than math? Are lecture courses worse than seminars? Multiple choice tests worse than essays? From what you wrote, I wonder how much you know about your own weaknesses and strengths. This really bears thinking about.

Second, you can't leave the reading until the last night. No matter what. So if you can't keep up with the reading, you're either taking too many courses, or you're inadequately prepared for the courses you're taking. If you've always had trouble with reading, consider a few possibilities:

• Is it a language question? Do you simply need more practice with the language in the text?
  
• Have you had your vision checked?
  
• Have you been tested for learning disabilities?

Any one of these issues can make reading difficult, and all can be resolved. But they require different strategies and approaches.

Third, going over examples is an excellent strategy, as is rereading textbook sections. Do you take notes? Do you study them? Perhaps you should rewrite your notes as part of your studying; some students find it very helpful. If you can't take notes in class, have you considered taping class and then taking notes afterwards at home? This is time-consuming, but for some students it's a make-or-break method.

Fourth, have you studied with other students? Conversations and cross-checking your memory can be crucial.

Fifth, what do you consider a lot of studying? Might your expectations be inappropriate? I certainly expect my students to spend more than a few hours studying for an exam...

Finally, if you've done all these things and you're really working as hard as you can, maybe you're taking the wrong level courses or wrong subject area. Make sure you know what you're taking and why.

Dr. Anahid Kassabian is a professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in New York.

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