What skills did you need to study effectively at university?

Question

This is for people who have studied in higher education.

Aside from the content of your courses, what personal attributes and study skills helped you most in getting through your degree studies? What advice would you give someone starting studying?

Serious answers only please.

Answer 1

well for starters, its important to show an active interest in your chosen subject. you also need to have some prior knowledge of the course that you're studying and an understanding of some of the theories, ideas around your subject area whatever that might be. before i was at university studying for my degree, i undertook an access course and thus, the skills and knowledge that i gained from it was something i had to apply and utilise to my current degree. in terms of study skills, you have to be able to plan, construct and write an essay and an essay plan. this is essential when you come round to writing up your essays. i also learnt how to do an oral presentation, communicate effectively with my fellow students, being literate and numerate, as well as working in a team on a project. and whilst when i was on the access to media course, i did a research project, of which the skills i obtained would have prepared me for planning and writing up my dissertation during my final year at uni and where i am going to get round doing.

i'd say to set aside some time to study and work hard on your work. people have their reasons for going to uni, but mine's was to study hard and concerntrate on the work at hand. to be honest, speaking as a final year university student, i'd have to say that the work you do is not that much different than at college. and besides, all the knowledge and skills you have obtained through school and college are still as relevant and crucial when studying your degree. so don't assume that once you get into university, all that knowledge and those skills from secondary and further education will be of no relevance to you and that you don't need to apply it, because the truth of the matter is you do and you have to. if you want to succeed at university, then you must concerntrate, work hard, learn the jargon, read the books that your lecturer reccomends, turn up at lectures and seminars, and just as importantly to enjoy studying what you are studying. there's no point doing a course that you're not happy with and to end up dropping out because you've lost interest in it.

i really hope it goes well for you and i wish you all the best in whatever course you decide to pursue.

Answer 2

What you first need to figure out is what type of learner you are. Are you a
Visual Learner-(see it to learn it)
Audio- (hear it to learn it)
Hands On- (do it to learn it)
Literary-(read a book and understand it)
once you got that down it's easy to study because you wont waste your time doing things that dont help. Find out how you retain information the best, a curtail your study habits to that. Plus, college isn't any harder than high school it is alot of the same stuff, and the stuff that is different is usually what you major in, so it should interest you enough to keep your attention

Answer 3

Be patient, don't rush work, if you need more time ask for an extension.
Talk to your lecturers, many students see them as unapproachable ogres, when in reality they are very approachable and extremely helpful.
Use your free time wisely, don't just sneak off to the pub because you have a free couple of hours, use the time to read through yours and other peoples work.
Have confidence in your own abilities, it is so easy to get caught into writing what you think that you lecturer wants you to write, an essay should have your ideas of the answer, not just what he has asked you to write.

Answer 4

Seriously? I hardly study. I put things off until the last minute. I still excel in all my classes. I'm sure if I studied more and didn't procrastinate, I'd probably have less stress but otherwise, I think as long as you breathe and put effort into your work, you'll succeed.

Of course, I'm in no way telling you to do what I do. It would probably be best if you did the opposite.

Answer 5

well, first of all, where are u currently living?? i just came to korea a few months ago, but my speaking has improved A LOT. (it may be because i knew it before i came, but i was very um, awaward with speaking... like i wouldnt be able to express myslef and get my self misunderstood...) if u live near seoul-itaewon- or anywhere in gyeongido, there are plenty of classes that u can find. Try asking people around universities,(they might have weekend lessons) and ur friends. If u live anywhere near a Foreign lanugaes academy school (외고) there are plenty of classes to take near there. (But i still advice itaewon... even tho its kinda dangerous there...) and: make a friend. like not the kind of friends that u already have, but a friend that's going to help u out in ur speaking. Like go to parties, go shopping, etc and speak. It doesnt matter if u cant express urself, as long as ur spitting out anywords that enter your mind. (i still have trouble with that, but i got adjusted now..) and then when u listen to what other ppl say to each other (using slangs, etc etc) listen and remember. basically, just hang out with them a LOT. like, spend a lot of time with them to adopt their way of speaking, and dont be afraid to ask whenver u want to know how to spell that word, or what that word means, or just, how u say them. I'm sure they'll be kind enough to tell u :) u said u teach... so why not ask for some words of wisdom from ur fellow students? when u speak in korean, it might make them feel closer to u. so just ask :P oh. watch. A LOTTT of dramas :P and read 인소 when u have time. and read webtoons. They may be silly on some parts, but u can learn a LOT. especially when u pracitce reading them aloud. and who knows, u may find good phrases xD (i totally reccomend 귀여니) and do u watch Gag Concert? its at nineish to elevenish at sat to sun on tv. watch and just repeat what they say :P

Answer 6

Time management is first and foremost. Strong ability to "just say no" (to being distracted) is another. Listening skills and good notes taking are third.

For me, rewriting, outlining, and writing "self tests" were critical to success.