After spending 4 years in undergrad and 2 in graduate school, I have had to learn, sometimes the hard way, how to listen and take notes well.
These are tips that I also have passed on to my students this past year as I taught American Government.
The following 5 tips work, no matter what subject matter you are studying.
1. Go to class! There is nothing like going to class. Getting notes from your friend, listening to a podcast of the lecture after the fact, etc. just do not substitute for the real thing.
Finding out what your learning style is and tailoring your approach to classes, reading, studying and organization to it may help you process information more efficiently, thus becoming more successful in school.
Diablo Valley College’s learning styles survey is helpful to determine what your learning style is.
The survey answers the question of whether or not you are a visual, auditory, or tactile/kinesthetic learner with a series of simple situations (32 questions total).
You can take the survey at the DVC Learning Style Survey for College website.
I took the survey and my results are:
The school year is gearing up, and it is better to get in the routine of good study habits earlier, rather than later.
Below, you’ll find 5 time management tips that work.
These are tested by me, a professional student and approved by my mom, a professional mom and retired teacher. 
1. Start managing your time at the BEGINNING of the semester, not the end. You want to get in the habit of managing your time wisely early, so you will be less stressed at the end of the semester. Be flexible, though. Don’t feel that you have to stick to schedule or habits that aren’t working for you. Change things around and try to find a pattern or schedule that works best for you.
Students (and workers!), isn’t it is a big hassle to reset your regular alarm clock if you just need a quick afternoon nap? The worst part is if you forget to turn the alarm on after you took such pains to reset it or if you set it for 2 a.m., not 2 p.m.!
Don’t despair, though. The Naked Alarm Clock is a reliable and easy to use internet clock. You can use it anywhere that you have an internet connection and a browser that uses Macromedia (Adobe) Flash.
