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Whew! The fall semester has come and gone, and winter break has closed. How do we get back into studying after we finish stuffing our faces with all of our Christmas candy or holiday leftovers? Do I procrastinate and wait until finals to really kick it in gear? Do I study every night from day 1 for 8 hours a day?
Below are my top study tips that have helped keep me afloat, and I recommend them to any student looking to get back into the classroom.
1. Build a Community
Engineering is a challenging degree that we all know for certain by now, but if you surround yourself with people who share the same goals or major as you, it can really help you out. As a freshman, I remember always doing work on my own and relying on myself to keep my grades up. This was a mistake! I recently surrounded myself with like-minded individuals who can keep my head on track and correct me when I am going down the wrong path.
2. A little goes a long way
Have you ever studied for an exam for hours on end just to be so tired for the test you couldn’t focus? You likely suffered from burnout. Burning out on material is a real problem for engineers who think that studying every day for hours is the key to success. The key is to make sure you check your understanding and focus on the parts that you are confused about. Take 1 or 2 hours a day to refresh over material you simply don’t understand, take notes over them, and attend office hours if you are still stuck. Sitting on one problem for 3 hours will only result in a loss of motivation and a loss of sleep.
3. Make breaks for yourself
Speaking of burnout, if you only think and focus on school, you are likely not going to succeed. Make time to play some pool with your buddies or karaoke a little with your girls. Taking time to focus on what life offers outside of the library can loosen your brain and refresh you before you hit the books again.
4. TAKE EXAMS SERIOUSLY
Exams are no joke. As you have probably noticed, one exam can make or break your grade and really throw a wrench in your motivation. Make sure you give yourself at least 7 days to study before an exam over the material you know will be on it. Take 1 or 2 hours over a chapter or so each day to round out your understanding before exam day and spend the last 2 days reviewing what you have gone over previously. Make sure the night before you don’t overpack either; make sure you give yourself a good night’s sleep and not overwhelm yourself.
5. Treat yourself
Exams, homework, and quizzes can drag us all down. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your victories with a casual ice cream or dinner with friends. Without something to look forward to, you may go insane. Take care of yourself and ensure that you are happy with your progress.
Petroleum Engineering, Class of 2026
If you found this blog post interesting, you may consider reading “Digital vs. Paper Notes: Which One Should You Choose?” and “How I pulled off an internship, travel and two classes in one summer.”