<p>I've heard of studying for 5+ hours per day. The truth is, I don't even know HOW to study since I've developed poor skills from high school. I can't concentrate when I'm reading and it'll surely hurt me in the future.</p>
<p>Any tips or things that you do to study would be interesting to learn and may help many of us who have no studying skills.</p>
<p>I too have trouble concentrating while I'm reading which is unfortunate since I have to read a lot at Cornell. I've started going to the library to study, something I've never done. There's less distractions and it's easier to get things done.</p>
<p>different methods will be revealed to you at times of desperation</p>
<p>One thing I have found that works for me: break up assignments, including reading assignments, into chunks. Try to read the first section or chapter, depending upon it's length of course. When your mind starts to wander, take a break. Then come back and read more. The breaks, as long as they don't extend too long, should provide time to get up and move around and I find they also give me time to think and reflect on the reading. When you go back to the reading, you'll probably be more refreshed and able to concentrate better.</p>
<p>I study with my headphones on listening to zeppelin, stones etc. I find that it helps me concentrate more. But each person has his/her own way of studying. You just have to find yours. Also I take frequent breaks, half an hour, to eat or watch TV or whatever. Studying for too long at a strech hurts my brains..hehe.</p>
<p>There's a book I recommend to every new college student, whether they think they know how to study or not. Its called What Smart Students Know by Adam Robinson, written by one of the founders of the test prep service Princeton Review. I have never seen a better explanation of the steps you need to follow to really <em>learn</em> the material, and if you've learned it well you will have no trouble with grades. </p>
<p>If you do a google search you can also find many web sites with tips. For example, <a href="http://com.pp.asu.edu/classes/jerryb/howimprovegrades.html%5B/url%5D">http://com.pp.asu.edu/classes/jerryb/howimprovegrades.html</a> and <a href="http://www.studygs.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.studygs.net/</a></p>
<p>Finally, if its true that "I can't concentrate when I'm reading" then you should get testing for learning disabilities.</p>
<p>i'd suggest studying in groups.</p>
<p>i had this one course last semester that everyone said was awful (2-4 a's given out total to all sections combined), and i studied for it with a little study group like once a week, and 2 of the 5 of us got A's, while the other three were closely behind with b's. it really makes things much easier, because your weakness may be someone elses strength, and they can help you out with it.</p>
<p>I can vouch for the 7 tips to improve your grades as I have used the same approach in both my undergrad and grad school lives.</p>
<p>One other thing I suggest is incorporate the reading into your note taking when rewriting your notes. It could be something as simple as referencing the corresponding pages to the reading, a great help when you use your notes to write papers because everything is in one place. If there is an antecdote, given in the lecture it also helps, as a side note in rewriting your notes. (the process of rewriting it self helps to make the learning more meaningful, thus moving the material from short term memory to long term memory).</p>
<p>I am also one of those people that "kill" textbooks with notes in the margins, highlights and post-its.</p>
<p>You have to take breaks. Reading 200 pages of dense material is not going to be the same breeze as reading 200 pages of your favorite best seller, as dense reading will make your mind drift off. </p>
<p>If you don't like or do study groups, discussing the lessons with someone who may know nothing about your topic also help you to remember what went on and cements your own understanding of the topic.</p>
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<p>I do the same thing; I study with music or noise. If there isn't any noise, I usually create some: tapping my pens, talking/joking to myself, laughing randomly, sing, hum, something. I also use outline form to take note, and I write down keywords, definitions, dates, etc. </p>
<p>I think its important to learn study habits early. One of my friends is up at the University of Delaware and he never really learned to study - one of those people that didn't have to to get awesome grades. Now in college, he tried to so hard to learn HOW to study instead of actually studying.</p>