Study Tips: Reading Comprehension

Devote some time to reading every day.
(Photo by Matt Katzenberger)

Succeed In College: Read To Understand

By Texas State SLAC

Love it or hate it, you have to get familiar with academic reading in college. Your exams may include questions about readings that professors assigned but never discussed in class, so learn to read to understand. The more active your reading, the better your chance for thorough comprehension. Use a structured reading method involving forethought, performance, and reflection.

Study Tips: Pros and Cons of Summer Classes

Summer classes require balancing relaxed mood with intense pace

Summer on campus: There’s more room to walk but more need for focus.

By Texas State SLAC

It’s summer at Texas State. Parking’s closer. Traffic’s lighter. The river and its banks are less crowded. On campus, you can walk without dodging skateboards and bikes. Classrooms seem bigger — you don’t trip over backpacks as you squeeze between desks. If professors don’t mind, you can even prop up your flip-flops.

Only one problem: The seemingly relaxed pace doesn’t extend to studying for summer classes. If you don’t get your textbooks and the syllabus early, you may saunter unprepared into a lecture on two chapters — or an entire book! 

Study Tips: Your Financial Future

As semester closes, consider how finances affect academic success

Plan now for success down the road.

By Texas State SLAC

Preparing for finals is probably the biggest thing weighing on your mind this time of year. But whether you’re continuing at Texas State University in the summer or completing your degree and moving forward with graduate studies in the fall, now is a good time to think about your financial plan for future semesters. As this semester’s end draws near, consider the following:

Study Tips: Mapping an Essay

Use a Google Maps approach to find your way through essay tests

By Texas State SLAC

Map your way through composing an essay.

When you read an essay question, do you get a headache? Does your brain go blank? Try comparing taking essay tests to using Google Maps. Principles that achieve good map search results also work for answering essay questions.

Study Tips: Spring Break

Plan ahead to maintain your academic rhythm over Spring Break

By Texas State SLAC

Plan time to study over Spring Break.

Spring Break is almost here! Unfortunately, semesters don’t always end when a college student’s vacation begins. Learning to manage working while enjoying your time off is an essential skill for college life and beyond.

First: Make a plan. Since your brain is still in college mode, take advantage of it. Just as in the regular semester, put what you have to get done and related deadlines on a calendar and make a schedule to be sure you study some each day and more on days you aren’t actively involved in extracurricular fun. Making a plan now will prevent stress later and keep you from completely losing the rhythm of academic life.

Study Tips: Office Hours

Office hours: Take advantage of time to get help from your professors

Need help? Don’t forget to ask your professor!

By Texas State SLAC

It can be difficult to converse with professors before or after class. There may be too little time because the professor may have to go to another building, or another class may be waiting outside. That’s why professors designate office hours to meet students outside of classes. Yet many professors say few students use this time.

Take advantage of your professors’ willingness to help. Your professors may be formal in class yet friendly and approachable one-to-one. Follow these tips to make your approach to office visits a little easier:

Study Tips: Get Back on Track

Start Smart: 9 Ways to Get Your Semester and Studies on Track

By Texas State SLAC

Start smart! Reconnect with study partners from previous semesters.

Welcome back, Bobcats! As you kick off another semester at Texas State University, you face the task of re-establishing your academic routines and habits. To help you get your semester started right, the Student Learning Assistance Center (SLAC) has a nine time-tested suggestions.

Study Tips: Finals Prep 2012

Finals: How to prepare
without going to extremes

By Andrew Osegi (@AEOsegi)

Alkek Library: Your home away from home.

It’s that special time of year again! As the 2012 fall semester winds down, Texas State students are gearing up for their biggest academic challenge: finals week.

Indeed, the quest for a stellar final grade will push many students to extremes, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If students take advantage of their time and resources, finals can be one of the smoothest weeks of the year.

The following tips were collected to help Texas State students shine light into the looming shadow of finals week so they can finish the semester strong.

Study Tips: Preparing for Thanksgiving Break

One reason to give thanks:
No homework over the break!

Complete classwork ahead to avoid a hectic Thanksgiving break.

By Texas State SLAC

The days are getting shorter as your to-do list is getting longer. You might be tempted to postpone your class work until after Thanksgiving because you don’t want to be doing homework while visiting family and friends, eating turkey, and sleeping off the tryptophan! But if you put off your studies, you could find yourself neck-deep in homework — and facing low motivation because the semester is almost over. Plus you’ll have the added stress of studying for finals.

Choose a better course of action by doing homework ahead of time so you can relax over the Thanksgiving break. Here’s what we suggest:

Study Tips: Keeping Up With Goals

Don’t procrastinate! Keep up with your goals by planning ahead

The PACE Center provides mentors and academic coaches for freshman students. Take advantage of the free help to stay on top of your grades!

By Texas State SLAC

It’s never too late to remind yourself that staying up to date with school work now is crucial—especially considering extracurricular activities you may have committed to this fall. Make sure to keep up with all of the readings and homework for your classes. The longer you put them off, the harder it is to catch up, and the more likely you will become overwhelmed the night before a test or project due date. Bad grades at the beginning of a course are very hard to bring up at the end.

Here are three tips to help you keep going: