How to Effectively Study for a College Exam

I was overwhelmed when I first started studying in college. In high school, studying for tests never seemed to be that big of a deal. In fact, as long as I attended class, listened to my teachers, and did my homework, it was likely I did just fine in school. College was a whole different bag though.

I’ll never forget my very first college exam: it was a U.S. history class and I figured since I had attended class, listened to the professor, and done all of my assignments, I would do great. Yet that afternoon as I sat down in my desk and took my very first college exam, I realized quite quickly that I was in no way, shape, or form prepared for the intensity of college exams. When you first start out in college, studying for a college exam can feel quite confusing and distressing. For those of you who want to effectively study and prepare for college exams, utilize these seven helpful tips.

1. Find a study buddy

Studying alone can be quite lonely, boring, and confusing. It’s always great to have people you can bounce ideas or questions off of. Also, finding a study buddy will help you cover much more test material than you would if you were on your own. 

2. Make flashcards

When all else fails, resort to memorization! Flashcards are great because they help people store key facts and major concepts quickly and efficiently. Try studying with flashcards once, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can recall information during exams. Once you realize how useful flashcards are, you’ll never want to stop using them.

3. Give yourself plenty of time to study

I always made sure to prepare two weeks in advance for an exam. I know what you must be thinking, ‘Isn’t that absurdly early?’ Well, it’s actually not. By allotting yourself enough time, you’ll be able to cover the test material much more in depth, and by the time the test comes around, you’ll hardly have to study in the days prior to the exam.

4. Don’t resort to all-night cramming

A lot of people think part of being in college is staying up all night studying. Believe it or not, there is no reason you should ever have to neglect sleep in order to prepare for an exam. Even if you don’t feel fully prepared, do not stay up the night before a test. Get a good night’s sleep and wake up early the next morning to prepare if you have to. You don’t want to be so tired during an exam that you forget all the material you’ve learned.

5. Ask the professor questions

If you haven’t already, make use of your college professor. They aren’t just people who stand up in front of the classroom spouting nonsense every day. They’re there to answer your questions and help you understand the class material. During your preparation for the exam, set aside time to ask the professor any questions you might have. In all likelihood, they’ll be able to bring clarity to any concepts or details you don’t fully understand.

6. Relax

I was a bag of nerves during many of my first college exams, but looking back, I wish I had taken the time to relax. Remember, if you put in the time and work you’ll probably do fine on most of your college exams. There is no reason to get so worked up over something that is such a miniscule fraction of your college experience.

7. Go over all your assignments and notes

Professors assign homework and readings for a reason: they’re preparing you for their exams. If you neglect to do your assignments and readings, you’re likely not going to do all that well on exams. Before each and every test, go over your class readings and assignments. No, you don’t have to redo them in their entirety; you just need to familiarize yourself with the material so it will be fresh on your brain.
College exams have a tendency of terrifying some people, but if you put in the right work and effort, in all likelihood you’ll do quite well. These seven tips are a great manual to follow in studying.

Nadia Jones is an education blogger who specializes in writing about online colleges. She also enjoys writing on topics of education reform, education news, and online learning platforms. Nadia welcomes your comments and questions at nadia.jones5@gamail.com.