Gordon College Counseling Services
Student Center Room 212
678-359-5585
Study Tips for Succeeding in College
Most first year students discover that even if they did exceptionally well in high school, they
often need to adjust or improve some of their study habits once they reach the college level.
Below are some tips for developing effective college study habits.
 Participate. Show up to class each day, it is your responsibility; the professor won’t
send a note home if you are in danger of failing from non attendance.
 Be prepared for class. A general rule of thumb is to spend 2-3 hours studying for each
hour you are in class. Complete reading ahead of time so you are ready to discuss it in
class and ask questions if you need to. See study skills on the counseling website for help
with effectively handling assigned reading.
 Find a note-taking system that works for you. See study skills on the counseling
website for helpful hints on taking good notes.
 Get organized. Keep all class notes and study materials together and in order by date.
Be sure to include handouts received in class and any other relevant class materials.
 Use a calendar or planner. Write down all assignments (including assigned reading)
and tests and set study goals for yourself so you don’t end up cramming at the last minute
or forgetting an assignment/test.
 Develop/Improve your research skills. Many college papers and assignments will
require a fair amount of independent research on your part. Be careful when using the
internet, make sure the source you are using is reliable (academically credible). There are
many resources in the library, if you are unfamiliar with resources such as Galileo (online
academic journal database) ask a librarian for assistance; they are there to help you.
 Draft papers. It is almost never a good idea to turn in the first draft of a paper. Always
leave time to make adjustments and improvements before your professor sees it. Have a
friend/classmate proofread your paper for errors, or visit a writing tutor in the Student
Success Center.
 Know your learning style. Often being aware of how you learn can help you determine
the best ways to study effectively. See study skills on the counseling website for tips on
discovering what your learning style is.
 Pace yourself on tests. Try to be aware of the time so you can finish each question but
do not rush; read each question carefully. If you think you may be suffering from test
anxiety consider making an appointment at the Counseling Center for help.
 Manage your time efficiently. For many students, college is the first time they have had
complete freedom over their schedules. Make time for fun, but also learn to prioritize
tasks and avoid procrastination. See adjustment tips on the counseling website for
resources and techniques to help with time management.
 ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT. Tutoring is available at the Student Success
Center (Student Center Room 235). In addition, a counselor from the Counseling Center
(Student Center Room 212) can help you work through test anxiety and/or time and stress
management.
Student Success Center
678-359-5156
Counseling Center
678-359-5585