<p>I am having problems studying. Although I am a freshman in college I am having difficulty studying for my classes or retaining the information. Don't get me wrong, I literally study ALL THE TIME, but I don't know what it is. I especially can't retain info for Biology. I took a test before spring break (I am back now) and she handed it back today. I got a 70/100. The first test I got a 64/100. I don't know what the problem is. I am a very visual learner and write things down repeatedly, highlight in my books, use dry erase markers when studying and even make outlines and study guides and go over them repeatedly. When I get to the test or quiz it is like I don't even know what I am putting down. I keep getting B's, low A's, and high C's on everything! The only class I have an A in is my writing class and we have a paper due every week. The rest of my classes I have B+'s or B's. I can't seem to get them higher and I don't know what to do. I take full responsibility for my grades but I don't know why my effort and time put into studying is coming out terribly in my GPA. Please someone help me. I don't know what else to do- stay up later studying or what? Are there any other methods I can do to get higher grades?</p>
<p>You should make an appointment with Academic Support Services at your college. They have a professional staff who will help you learn more effective study techniques. Support services also has tutors available for most classes.</p>
<p>I have a tutor for Biology. That doesn’t help much since I mostly know the material when we go over it. I think I may have test anxiety but that still I need help with figuring out how I will be able to really grasp the material. Like I said, I don’t know how or why I know the information but sometimes it really doesn’t stick no matter how much I study. I know the material for Biology but it is like its a foreign language with test taking and sometimes I will study for hours on end, understand it and then won’t remember it later on. Sometimes it stays, sometimes it doesn’t. </p>
<p>Have you taken a study skills class offered by the college? Have you had a individual consultation with study skills specialist at Support Services to determine how to improve your study skills? Have you consulted a counselor regarding possible test anxiety? (And how to deal with it?)</p>
<p>Everyone learns differently. What works for Person A isn’t going to necessarily work for you. You may need to try a variety of techniques to find the one that works best for you. (Which is why I suggested getting a consult with astudy skills specialist. They will know more approaches than some random stranger on the internet.)</p>
<p>You need to study smarter, not necessarily longer.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t really offer a study skills class. They offered a short test anxiety seminar in the first semester but it didn’t do much for me. I think I will try to stop by Academic Services tomorrow to discuss my issues I am having. I only have one class tomorrow and I am pretty flexible throughout the day.</p>
<p>Use flash cards and go over them all the time. Everywhere. You will train your brain for recall that way.</p>