What Are Some Tips for Learning How to Study at The University of Alabama?

Learning how to study and prepare for classes can be a big transition from high school to college. For high school students, classes and homework are very structured. Assignments are given and classes meet daily. This forces students to be aware of the course schedule and allows them to form strong relationships with teachers and other students. Transitioning to college includes learning that this is not the case for college courses. Some students at The University of Alabama find it is difficult to learn how to process and retain information as it is given in the structure of more advanced courses. The following are a few tips to help incoming students with their study skills.

Time Management

Learning time management is likely the most important skill to foster once students start college. When classes go from a full school day to hour-long blocks, it can be difficult to continue to self-motivate and complete assignments, study, and prepare for other classes. Successful students often say that their time management skills go hand in hand with learning discipline, which allow them to sit down and get work done between classes or after their school day has ended. To do this, try looking ahead on your course schedules, creating calendars that will show you what assignments and exams are due on what days, and allotting a certain time every day to sit down and get some homework done in your Tuscaloosa apartment.

Study Groups

Another valuable resource for learning how to study is study groups. Especially for freshman, classes are often large lectures with one hundred or more students. Having this many peers that are all learning the same content can be extremely valuable to the individual. Often, the students in the class will create group messages to ask questions about upcoming assignments, tests, and unfamiliar content. This is also the perfect space to create study groups and ask other students if they would like to meet- either over Zoom or at a common space like a study roomor the student center- to go over new content and prepare for upcoming exams.

Online Resources for UA Students

Utilizing online resources is another valuable skill that will assist students in studying and learning which type of studying allows for the most retention of information for them. Websites such as Quizlet, Chegg, Grammarly, and even Blackboard Learn all hold endless resources for students to use from the comfort of their UA off-campus housingresidence. First and most important, students should get used to checking Blackboard daily. Not only does the site hold all their upcoming assignments and course information, but teachers often link resources for textbooks, studying, extra information, help videos, and access to teacher's assistants. Using Quizlet and Chegg is another valuable resource because they allow students to create study sets and have access to other student's study information that can help to memorize and retain new or confusing information.

Office Hours

Attending the office hours of your professor or teacher's assistant at the University of Alabama is a great way to establish a relationship with professionals in the departments in which you are studying. Not only does this allow for students to build connections, but it also creates the space for students to ask questions, discuss new content, and learn how the teacher prefers to run their class.