Read smart
Do you have a reading strategy? If not, develop one.
Assess your writing and quantitative skills
- Graduate students must have exceptional skills, so start building them now.
- Take courses that challenge you, and seek a lot of help in doing your homework.
Take good lecture notes
Do you review your notes within an hour of taking them, or do you store them away to prepare for exams? Studies show that you get the most out of rereading your notes soon after taking them. Consider working with a study skills strategist at the Student Learning Center.
Manage your time
- Use a time planner.
- Note how many hours you study each week and increase your study hours. You should spend two to three hours outside class for every hour in class. Visit the Student Leaning Center for develop your time management skills.
Assess your communication skills
Ask people for honest feedback on how you communicate, both verbally and in writing, because it is important to be understood.
Learn about the academic resources on campus
- Take a tour of the campus library.
- Look into study skills courses on campus through the Student Learning Center.
- Sign up early for tutoring at one of the many study skills centers on campus such as the Student Learning Center.
- Attend exam reviews.
