Being a UTM student means that midterms or finals are always right around the corner. You need to have a good study strategy and a schedule that is tailored to fit your needs in order to keep up with your classes and maintain good grades.
Tammy Stanford, the UTM Student Success Counselor for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, says the first part of any good study strategy starts with taking good notes. Even if the original notes are not the best, rewriting notes helps the brain retain information. A good way to rewrite notes is by color-coding the information into different categories, which is especially helpful for students who learn better with visual stimulation.
There are several different ways that you can improve your academic performance, and utilizing a combination of study methods can lead to the best academic outcome.
“I typically print out the PowerPoint outline before class, and during class I add additional notes … after class I rewrite my notes. To study, I like to make flashcards and also read my notes out loud to comprehend it better,” Erika Yelvington, a UTM Veterinary Technology major, says.
The next step to having a good study strategy is to choose the right time to begin studying leading up to an exam.
Grant Roberts, a Plant and Soil Science major at UTM, usually starts studying three days before an exam because it helps him “retain information better than studying all throughout the week, which can cause you to not remember everything … it’s a good median of still retaining knowledge and getting everything you need to retain.”
Roberts says it is also beneficial to choose a quiet place to study and to turn off all electronics; this reduces the number of potential distractions that may inhibit a student’s ability to focus.
Having a good study strategy is not the only thing that will help you academically. If you are having issues with a certain subject or topic, then you can seek out tutoring to help you keep up with classes and grades.
UTM provides its students with opportunities for tutoring in almost any subject that you may be struggling in. The Student Success Center sponsors several free tutoring centers and programs, such as the Mathematics Learning Center, the Reading Center and the Writing Center.
The STEM lab, located in the Library Media Center at Room 120, offers free tutoring for a variety of subjects like Algebra, Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Engineering and Computer Science. Another tutoring program for students is Supplemental Instruction, which covers many of the same subjects as STEM lab along with History, Nursing, Psychology, Sociology and Applied Animal Reproduction.
Most college students struggle with keeping up with classes and grades because of two main things: procrastination and poor time management. However, Stanford says you can combat these internal struggles by following the five-minute rule. The rule means that if an assignment or task is only going to take about five minutes, then go ahead, do it and get it out of the way.
The pandemic and virtual classes have caused many college students to have a completely different study strategy now compared to before. The best way for students to acclimate to the rapid transition from virtual back to in person classes is to have a well-balanced schedule and a planner to keep up with the schedule.
Daphne Lagrone, a Graphic Design major at UTM, says she has had a “hard time adjusting to being back and having to be somewhere,” in reference to transitioning from virtual to completely in person classes this semester.
Finding the right balance for classes, studying, sleeping, eating, extracurriculars and relaxing is hard, but it is necessary for students to stay ahead in classes and keep good grades.
“Students who are involved on campus statistically do much better in the classroom. When a student gets involved on campus, whether it be writing for The Pacer, whether it be playing intramurals, maybe they want to get involved in the Vet Science Club, or Greek life … that’s an extra layer of support for them; it’s a way to make friends and find people to study with, so getting involved on campus is super important,” Stanford says.
