Although final exams are still months away, exploring effective studying techniques and methods now can be extremely valuable to students for future quizzes, tests, and exams. The following information derives from two Ivy League universities on the East coast in the United States on helpful ideas to use when studying.

The Learning Strategies Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, provides students with strategies on how to study efficiently. Their PDF document titled “Guidelines for Creating a Study Schedule” highlights nine tips to benefit students.

The PDF document encourages students to balance college life by creating a schedule with their fixed and flexible activities, studying at regular times, having places to establish time-saving habits, reviewing notes after class as they are still fresh in your mind, and planning times to study throughout the day.

They also suggest limiting studying to two hours for one course, reviewing weekly work for courses, prioritizing assignments, taking care of your body and mind, and doubling the amount of time you believe something may take.

These tips from Cornell University, along with many more of their resources, may help students as they continue progressing in school.

Along with advice from Cornell University, advising resources from Yale University located in New Haven, Connecticut, provide students with beneficial tips through their Midterm and Final Exam Study Tips page on their website.

The PDF document titled “Exam Study Tips for Students in Their First Term” covers areas that focus on making the most of your time, respecting the community, and remaining calm during stressful times. These tips from Yale University have the potential to help students as they encounter future assessments.

Like Cornell University, this list from Yale University recommends establishing a sensible schedule, locating a study environment that works well for you, and taking care of yourself.

Additionally, they encourage studying with a clear purpose, writing out key ideas and notes for efficient memorization, reviewing major themes for each course, studying with a friend to keep motivated, and avoiding depressants or stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine.

Yale University also adds that it is essential to get an adequate amount of sleep to think clearly the next day, have academic honesty throughout your time in school, and remember that quizzes, tests, and exams do not measure who you truly are as a person.

Other key recommendations to take into consideration from TheBestColleges.org include listening to music, changing your scenery, taking practice tests, avoiding multitasking, and not focusing on one subject for too long.

These tips and tricks are intertwined with 13 others under the article titled “17 Scientifically Proven Ways to Study Better This Year.”

Along with many other resources, Cornell University, Yale University, and TheBestColleges.org provides students with many techniques to study efficiently.

It is important to acknowledge that all students learn differently, so tips and tricks that may work for one person may not work the best for others.

Help at IVCC available

Additionally, IVCC includes many resources to help students academically succeed, such as the Writing Center and the Peer Tutoring Center.

The Writing Center is where a student may go if they wish to get help or advice on a paper they have to write for a class. If a student is confused on what their professor is looking for, a student or staff member from the writing center is there to help.

Students may also go to the Tutoring Center to gain tutoring from either peers or staff regarding any subject taught at IVCC.

For more tips on how students can succeed, read Caelyn Maltby’s article from this issue that informs students of where students can find help and support at IVCC.