We’ve made it a few weeks into the school year, which means that it’s time for exams to start popping up here and there. Everyone wants to do well on these exams, but most of us dread the studying that leads up to them. Studying may never be the number one priority on your to-do list, but here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your study time!

Leave the House

I get distracted by every little thing in my apartment. My mind wanders to things I could be doing instead of studying- even laundry. If you go to a coffee shop or somewhere else on campus to study, it will seem easier to stay focused. You know you left your house for a reason, so you might as well get stuff done while you’re out.

Stick to One Subject at a Time

There will be many times when you have multiple exams to study for in one night. I’ve found it helpful to focus on one subject at a time. Study that one subject front and back before you move on to the next. This keeps your thoughts from getting too jumbled up in your head.

Plan your Breaks

It can be easy to get so caught up in studying that you wear yourself out. It can also be easy to stay on your phone and check social media ten times in a row when you’re supposed to be studying. Schedule breaks for yourself every half an hour, or even every fifteen minutes if that’s all you can handle. This allows your brain to take a break and breathe a little, but it also keeps you off of your phone the whole time that you’re supposed to be studying.

Go to Review Classes

While you should always pay attention in class, many people even skip the review class. Many professors will tell you exactly what you need to know for your upcoming exam during a review class or review session. These classes can help reduce your overall study time because you will know exactly what you need to focus on.

Studying may never be your favorite thing to do, but it will be a part of your life for a long time. Help yourself out by figuring out what works best for you. Good luck on your upcoming exams!