Study Tips

Five tips to study efficiently.

1.Preparation for the class by watching prelecture is fundamental. So you can come to the lecture with your question and save time on understanding basic concept. Therefore leverage the class hour and what you learned before class to tackle with harder problems.

2.Sleep in your apartment, not you classroom. Don't waste you time and money to sleep in such uncomfortable seat.

3.Don't just listen; take notes. Notes embody professor's thoughts.You can follow the professor closer by taking them.

4.Make full use of your homework, quizzes and practice exams. Those materials are made to check whether you understand the knowledge. You shouldn't be  upset when you got questions wrong. Exactly those questions tell you where you should focus and pay more attention to.

5.Go to office hour. If you stuck on a questions for too long and still have no clue how do deal with it, then you should ask you TA or professor. Don't be afraid or ashamed about doing this, it is perfectly normal to have questions.

Study Spots

There are a lot of great places to go in Champaign-Urbana. There are places to have fun, relax, play games, etc. But the most important place any incoming student should get to know is their ideal study location. Some people prefer quiet places over loud places, some the opposite. Some people prefer to study with others. Here is a list of a few good places around campus to study.

Your Dorm:

This is the obvious first choice. You climb out of bed, go to your desk and cram for your test. There can be drawbacks though. Your dorm is full of distractions. There’s probably a TV, games, a radio, and all of these things can take away from what you need to be doing. If you really do want to study in your dorm, some helpful tips include keeping it very clean so there’s room to study. Turn off your TV and tuck any game consoles and other things away until after you study. Definitely do not study in your bed, you will fall asleep.

Your Floor’s Lounge:

Many university housing buildings include lounges on each floor used for community meetings, hanging out, or studying. These can be great for studying. If the door’s closed, then many of the noises from outside are blocked and you have a peaceful environment. There are no distractions, just a few chairs and desks. However, if a friend or hall-mate decides to join you, it could ruin your study time.

Pine and President’s Rooms at the Union:

These rooms are for the students who prefer (near) absolute silence for their studies. These rooms are completely full of couches, chairs, and desks all meant for students to go to between classes and study. There are barely any distractions. It is usually completely silent. There are many work stations as well. It is a great option if you need to focus completely on your work.

The Building for the Class you are Studying for:

Studying in the building your class is in has many benefits. First, it’s full of other students studying the very same thing. You can get help from these students and figure out problems. You’re also a short walk away from your professor’s office if any problems come up that you and fellow students can’t solve.

Libraries Around Campus:

We’re at college, and one thing you’ll never be short of at college are libraries. It provides the silence some people need, and it’s also full of all the information you’ll need as well. Many individual schools have their own libraries too, so if you need to study for a math test, you can go to Altgeld and walk into the mathematics library. If you can’t find what you need there, you may be in trouble.

Restaurants/Diners Around Campus:

Say you’re walking around with your friends one day and you stop in somewhere to have a snack. You end up really enjoying the atmosphere in there. This could be a great place to study. It’s great to study in a place that you don’t hate being in, and if you stumble upon a place that fits your style perfectly, that could be very beneficial to you.

There are dozens of options for places to study here at U of I. The key is finding a place that matches your study style and sticking to it. Whether you’re just a natural studier and don’t need anything special, or you need a specific environment, chances are you’ll find your place sometime in your time on campus.