Student life can be an amazing period in our lives. We’re jumping on a new stage, making new friends and anticipating the great things that await us. We are thinking about our careers, expanding our networks and exploring new possibilities. 

That’s the fun part. But then there are the responsibilities; the many assignments, the group projects, the tests, exams, jobs...  

How many times have you felt overloaded? Sometimes, it seems like we'll never finish everything in front of us, and instead of facing the mountain of work what do we do?  We become overwhelmed, try to run away from it all, and procrastinate. 

Below are some study tips which I hope will be as helpful to you as they’ve been for me. 

1. Believe in Yourself 

Believing in yourself is the most powerful thing you can do to achieve your goals. For me, fear undermines my self-confidence. 

One of the things I do to overcome anxiety and boost my self-confidence is to read success stories that inspire and motivate me. Reading these accounts gives me strength and perseverance to push myself, and it helps me understand how strong I truly am. 

2. Make a Schedule and Follow It 

I make a schedule for everything I do. I get a calendar and plan my semester, writing down every task. Making a list is the easy part; the more difficult thing to do is to stick to your schedule. There’s no point in creating a plan if you are not going to pursue it, so promise yourself you’ll see it through. One of the ways I keep myself accountable is by writing down a promise to myself to adhere to my study schedule, and then I read it every day. 

3. Don’t Procrastinate 

Procrastination adds more stress. You can avoid the stress by moving away from thinking about how much you need to do and just start doing it.  

Do your best to avoid checking social media or answering texts while you’re studying. I did an experiment noting the amount of time it took me to study with my phone on and then compared that to the amount of time it took with my phone off. It came as no surprise to discover that studying without distraction was more efficient. 

4. Create a Reward System

I learned to motivate myself by using a reward system. For example, if I finish a task in the time I’ve allotted, I reward myself. The reward can be big or small depending on the task. For instance, if you’re determined to spend an hour studying, reward yourself with a half hour of Instagram once you’re done studying.    

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes 

Unfortunately, I was taught in my childhood that making mistakes was a bad thing, but making mistakes is another way to learn. We’re going to make mistakes, but by recognizing, analyzing, and pinpointing the issue, we learn how to evolve and grow as students and people. 

While working on the lightbulb, Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”    

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

In general, people enjoy helping one another. If you're scared to ask questions among your peers, visit your instructors during their office hours. However, don’t wait to request help until it’s too late. If you procrastinate until right before an exam, or just before an important due date, there’s only so much a professor can do. As students, it’s important for us to be proactive and take responsibility for our learning. 

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