Top 5 Study Tips for College Students

This blog post is sponsored by Microsoft and ShopStyle. Now that I am entering my senior year of college, I have learned a lot of study tips for college students to have an academically successful semester. I hope these 5 study tips for college help you get through your busy schedule, homework, projects and exams. My number one piece of advice is to invest in a device that is going to work for you and be convenient for your lifestyle as a college student. It is very likely that your professors will assign homework and papers that will have to be completed with a computer. I have even had classes in the past where a device was mandatory for in class activities. Additionally, if you prefer to take notes digitally and save paper, you are going to want a device that will make the process easy and efficient. One thing to consider is the size and weight of the device so you can conveniently travel between your dorm, class, work and any other extracurriculars you may have throughout the day.

I already alluded to this in the section on the Pomodoro technique, but be sure to take breaks while you’re studying. This practice has several benefits. First, taking breaks keeps your study sessions effective. No matter how long your attention span, there’s a limit to how long you can truly focus on difficult concepts or complex mental tasks. Taking short breaks lets your mind rest and then return refreshed once you resume. Additionally, taking a break gives you a chance to stretch and move your body. Even if you’re working at a standing desk, staying fixed in one position for too long is still unhealthy. Getting your blood flowing will help you keep from getting tired or losing focus, as well as keeping you generally healthy. Finally, Find out more about Think Teach taking a break can give your unconscious mind a chance to work on difficult problems. While there is a lot of power in actively concentrating on how to solve a problem, sometimes it’s better to let the question percolate in the back of your mind.

The student is a dependent child of someone who would be eligible. For graduate students, the rules are different and can provide a way for a graduate student to get a tax-free financial break for teaching or research. Graduate students at eligible schools don't have to pay taxes on tuition reductions if they teach or do research there. The first couple of requirements for scholarships, fellowships or grants to be tax-free are easy: First and foremost, the student must be working toward a degree. In addition, the student must be studying at an educational institution that the IRS considers "qualified." The school must be an accredited one that can either grant recognized bachelor's degrees or higher, or prepare students for a job in a "recognized occupation." The IRS specifies that a school must have "regular" faculty and curriculum and must "normally" have students who physically attend classes. If you pass those tests, all or part of your financial aid may be tax-free. The details of the next requirement can be trickier.

Commuting to and from work or school can also be an ideal place to study, thanks to technology. “The subway may not be a great place to study but with online classes that can be viewed from your phone, it can work,” says Malson. Those who drive to work can listen to textbooks or lectures on audio. “Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family for some of their time to help with your test prep,” Blake says. Rather than avoid your spouse, children or roommates so you can study, invite them to help by quizzing you before a test or discussing points from your latest lecture. “Other people around you can provide valuable feedback, questioning and ideas to help stimulate discussion,” Blake says. You can even pretend to be the teacher and give your friends or family a crash course on the lesson you’re focusing on. “If you can explain a concept to another person, you understand the subject matter quite strongly,” Blake says.