<p>1) make a list/calendar of due dates, test dates, etc. and display it prominently where you can see it so nothing will ‘sneak’ up on you</p>
<p>2) go to recitation. Every single one of them, even if you think you already know the material</p>
<p>3) don’t let routine homework slide–work on it as soon as possible after it’s assigned. Same day if possible. This includes assigned readings.</p>
<p>4) pick a place with minimal distractions to study (your dorm room is probably not the best place) and go there regularly–like every day, even weekends–to concentrate on getting your work done. Consider turning off your cell phone while studying. Or at least shut off the ringer.</p>
<p>5) read all assignments twice. First time to get a general feel for the material; second time to take notes.</p>
<p>6) prioritize–don’t spend all of your efforts on one class. Plan to have at least 1 day EACH week for getting the big stuff done for each course. Every week, spend extra time prepping for that class on its day. Spend a full 1-4 extra hours on it. Start reading for the research paper, start writing your paper’s first draft, redo some old problem sets (esp focus on the problems you got wrong), do a few extra problems from the text which weren’t assigned, organize and review lecture notes, re-read/review past chapters in the text.</p>
<p>7) when studying take a 10 minute break every 2 hours. Get up walk around, stretch, have a snack–but then get back to work when the time is up. Time yourself if necessary. (Cell phones have a timer feature.)</p>
<p>8) go to the academic support center at your school. They offer study skills seminars</p>
<p>9) consider going to the counseling center. Procrastination may be due just to poor study habits, but it can also be due to self-doubts, anxiety, perfectionism or a fear of success. You need to stop sabotaging yourself. If you can’t improve your study habits after making a sincere effort at it, maybe you need to explore the underlying reason why.</p>
<p>You developed a whole lot of poor habits in high school. You won’t survive college unless you ditch them. Start now. It’s not too late to start replacing your old bad habits with new good habits.</p>