Study Tips From Upperclassmen

The Advice USD Seniors And Juniors Wish They Knew

Ashley Nichols / Assistant Arts and Culture Editor / The USD Vista

Packed tables in Copley, no empty study rooms, and three tests in one week. Sounds like midterm season. Every single college student is swamped with papers, projects, and exams within the coming weeks. The middle of the semester is filled with overwhelming stress that makes us want to pull our hair out. To combat this stress, The USD Vista asked a couple upperclassmen to give their tips for studying smarter and working harder.

Shane Wilson, USD senior, gave study tips as a Behavioral Neuroscience major. He practices these on a day to day basis. 

“For all my STEM majors, make sure you do a lot of practice problems, make sure you understand what is applied and why you are applying it,” Wilson said.“To make yourself excel, make yourself understand the why behind what you’re doing.” He also insists on reaching out for office hours even when you’re scared.

The number one thing Wilson emphasized was putting oneself first, that one’s well being should always be their number one priority. Wilson likes doing study sessions with his roommates, studying in the Learning Commons when it’s not too packed, and the Harry Potter room in Copley. Shane Wilson is an avid member of the USD community. He is a part of FUSO, University Ministry, Frisbie team and so much more. These study tips have gotten him through busy weeks and the never ending course load a Behavioral Neuroscience major encounters.

 USD senior, Maggie Valaik, offered a guide of mastering study settings and time management. 

“I always plan ahead and like to stay on top of my work. Procrastination is inevitable, but I always give myself enough time to get the job done,” Valaik said.

Valaik works best in nice lighting from the sun and headphones in to keep her focused. The natural lighting on the top floor of the learning commons and Copley has made her go to places for studying.

Valaik also institutes incentives whenever she is in need of a push to study. To encourage herself, she will grab coffee or a snack. Whatever assignment Valaik has next she can be found coffee in hand studying in good lighting. As a business administration major with a law & ethics minor she finds herself using these techniques and little incentives almost weekly.

Rodolfo Lopez, USD Junior, takes time to dive into what study habits help him as a computer science major with a minor in math. 

“Don’t wait till the last minute to study for tests and read the syllabus,” Lopez said. “This might be a very simple thing any student can do but sticking with the basics can make such a difference.” Lopez also encourages students to stay organized by using a calendar and so every student is always prepared.

Lopez’s preferred study method is the Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro method encompasses timed intervals of study.  For example, Lopez sets a timer for 30 minutes and then takes a 5 minute break. This break can be used to go on your phone, stretch, use the bathroom, etc.  He then sets the timer to 30 minutes again. It all depends on how much he needs to study or how much work he needs to get done. 

In his preferred study environment, Lopez locks himself away from the world with a clean and tidy environment. With his noise-cancelling headphones he listens to music or a light podcast so he doesn’t get distracted.  

Our first two years as college students can be filled with anxiety and overwhelming stress surrounding our grades. We work to get into college, and then we must work to get our first job and maybe even get into graduate school. With these thoughtful tips and advice, the underclassman should be thanking those that came before them.