Admission to college is an unforgettable moment. However, it is also very challenging, since many things change, including the teaching method, which, as a general rule, is much more demanding than it was before.
With that in mind, we have prepared an article for you with 5 tips for studying in college that we believe will be very useful to you.
Studying at the College: how you can make this phase of your life more successful
For college years to go as you wish, there are some tricks that can really make all the difference.
There are those who believe that just attending all classes and studying hard to be successful, but the truth is that there are many other factors that directly impact your performance as a student and your general well-being. After all, studying in college is much more than having good grades on the agenda.
1. Create a physical exercise routine
Nowadays, no one has any doubt that physical exercise brings many benefits to humans, significantly improving their mood and reducing depressive states, anxiety and stress.
Establish a weekly exercise routine. Your general well-being will improve and your relationships with others and with yourself as well. In addition, you will feel more alert and able to take in new information when you are in class or studying.
There are a vast array of sports to play at university, and also a wide range of ability levels, so it is easy to find a sport that would suit your abilities. Also, it is a great way to meet new people and bond with your new area of residence.
2. Take some relaxing moments just for yourself
Stress makes learning difficult and affects all areas of our lives. Several studies show that continuous anxiety states cause our bodies to produce corticotropin-releasing hormones that interrupt the process of creating and storing memories. In fact, stress can have a vast impact on your college journey – and your whole life.
Taking deep breaths is a very simple technique that can help you reduce your stress level. You don’t need much time or any specific place. It only takes two minutes to close your eyes, take a deep breath and become aware of your body. Focus on the breath. Feel the air coming in and out of your nostrils and how your body touches the chair and the floor. Do this exercise a few times during your day. Allow yourself to relax.
3. Choose the best places to study
Especially in the early years, studying in college can be a real challenge. New spaces, new people, new experiences and a wide range of things to do and to discover that sometimes take the focus off college and study hours.
One way of not getting lost and being able to combine fun with “obligation”, is to choose the places where you will study. If you live alone, it’s easy to have moments of privacy to focus on. If you live in a university residence in Lisbon, you have the best of both worlds: a space just for you and the common areas for study.
At Collegiate, you have areas where you can study alone or with a partner. But best of all, you don’t have to worry about anything else. You can simply dedicate yourself 100% to the study and trust that everything else is being prepared for you. Feeling that you have no other obligations while studying, giving you all the necessary tranquility to learn more and better.
4. Plan your days well
Planning is essential when studying at college and to maintain a healthy balance between fun and attendance, exams and jobs.
Use a paper diary or even your smartphone and allocate hours for everything you have to do during the week: classes, study times, physical exercise and even going out with friends. Renew the schedule every Sunday or Monday morning.
Of course, it is possible that you will not always follow exactly what you set out to do and there is no harm in it. However, it is important that you do not blame yourself and continue with the planning, as this will help you to feel more relaxed because you know that you have everything under control.
5. Take breaks and have fun
One important thing you need to know is: there is time for everything! Studying at college is demanding and often you can’t seem to see the end of the tunnel, but it becomes easier if you allow yourself to take breaks, relax and have fun.
Explore the capital, go out with your friends, take a getaway near Lisbon to recharge your batteries. Kiss, laugh, dance, explore! This balance between doing your homework and having fun is truly important to make you feel good and motivated. And if you feel happy, you will assimilate the material better and produce better results.
We hope these tips have been helpful to you. Basically, what we really want to convey to you is that studying at college can be a very enriching experience. It allows you to grow not only as a student and professional, but as a human being. You just need to make the best possible choices and we are here to help you make that happen.