It's time to hit the books, and those report cards won't see shining A's without a little help. Before you bury yourself alone in the library (again), consider a few strategies to make studying a bit more enjoyable. Get some fresh air this semester and invite the gang for some group study time.
Location, Location, Location
Of course, the obvious place to study is the library, and it does promote a good study atmosphere. But if you spend all your time in the library, you'll go stir crazy. This semester challenge yourself, and your buds, to check out some other locals for your study pow-wows. Coffee shops are nice, as are bookstores. You can always invite the group to your pad, just be sure the roomies won't be a distraction. And as the weather turns sunny, it'll be time to take your studying to Mother Nature. A little vitamin D with a side of studying is good for you and your grades.
Feed the Tummy While You Feed Your Brain
You can't study over the sound of a growling stomach, and you can't retain the all important materials if you aren't at your best. Rather than waste precious time debating with your pals about what to munch on mid-study session, it's best to plan in advance for the inevitable study break. When planning your gathering, show off your organizational skills by creating a sign up with SignUpGenius. Make everyone responsible for something, or rotate the job among the group. Either way, you'll stay organized, well fed and not lose time debating whose turn it was to bring the pizza.
Organize study group with an online sign up. SAMPLE
Between sporadic class times, intramural obligations, SGA and a little fun, it may be next to impossible to get everyone together for every study session. Don't stress over picking a time that works 100% of the time for everyone in the group. Getting a small group together most of the time will do just fine. Create a signup to offer up study time suggestions and have people sign up for times that work into their busy lives. That way if you find a time no one has signed up for, you can quickly and easily cancel that time slot and reschedule a better one.
The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
The dreaded group project. When group study isn't just about being together to study your own material but to work together for one grade (gasp), it's important to be clear about who is doing what. Make a sign up work for you. Assign chapters and materials to divvy up the project equally. Now everyone can easily login to coordinate and the team captain, that's you naturally, can make sure everyone stays on target and works together.
Armed with good study habits and a reliable team of studying pals to back you up, you're sure to have a successful semester. Plus, you'll be so organized that you'll avoid wasted time and be able to get even more accomplished, which means there might just be a little extra time for some good-ol'-fashion college fun!
Jennifer Burg is a flip-flop wearing, Gator-loving, picture-taking, deal-hunting Florida gal. As an overachieving mom of two awesome daughters, making to-do lists helps her remain calm and (somewhat) organized. When she's not planning events and party sign-ups, you can find her blogging at www.TheSuburbanMom.com.
