Studying for college has become the subject of several tip guides and How To’s. High school teachers would preach before and after each class on the difficulty of your college classes in comparison to the ones you were taking at the time. Even as you sit in class today, the workload, projects and exams can feel overwhelming. Luckily, the technology at your fingertips can help you study and succeed on a test tomorrow. With these programs and opportunities, a 4.0 is never out of reach.

####1.Go to class and take specific notes with that shiny computer####

As usual, this tip seems obsolete. For those not going to class, this should really be tip number one on how to succeed and study well. But for those who practice this already, listen close. Note taking has evolved past the standard “Write it all down” strategy. Methods such as non-linear note taking, mapping, Cornell Method or SQ3R — for taking notes from written sources — will allow you to better process the topic in a style that fits the way your brain works. The kicker here is your Microsoft Word application or Google Doc feature can be formatted for quick notation. You can transcribe your notes after class using this method if your professor doesn’t allow computers. A digital copy is more legible and is more easily stored.

####2. Utilize the web, not just Wikipedia####

The Internet is a large, forever-growing place full of websites that fit your needs, including studying. Websites such as Quizlet, OneDrive and Evernote, which is an application for your phone, can offer useful ways to organize your notes and vocabulary words. Take your word lists and course work digital.

####3. Use technology to teach your brain to study better####

It feels perfectly natural to study materials by section, like math for a stats test and vocabulary for your Spanish composition. A theory known as interleaving pushes students to splice their studying with other subjects. This means to keep things light and frequently flip between subjects while studying, But, don’t try to combine conflicting subjects. It could get messy. Use the websites mentioned in tip two to help splice your information better. You can also make two copies of your digital notes and combine one set to make mixed notes to review.

####4.Create a benchmark each study session####

Studying becomes useless once you know the information really well. Refreshing your knowledge of past topics works in overall recall ability, but studying something you’ve known the entire time is a waste. Use websites and Powerpoints to create flashcards and multiple choice questions to test yourself before you begin your study sessions and see what you really know. This will help you focus on the topics you really need help with and keep you from spinning your wheels in one place for too long.

####5. Sleep: the constant struggle of college####

Your 10 a.m. class is a real struggle to pass, but you studied all night and you’re ready for the test. Unfortunately, this actually puts you at a disadvantage. Fatigue in the classroom, regardless of preparedness, will hurt your active recall ability significantly. Instead, power off your laptop and phone and take naps throughout the day. Instead of cramming, study throughout the day and week. This will increase your passive recall and active recall while leaving you with plenty of sleep come test time, allowing for that easy A.

_Edited by Alexandra Sharp | [email protected]_