Develop good studying habits Herndon VA

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(NC)-With the new school year just around the corner, students go out of their way to buy new books, pick a new wardrobe and meet new people. But adopting new study strategies? Not so much.

Why not start the year off fresh with a new approach to studying? Here are a few tips to help you stay on course:

• Designate a study area. Maybe it's a quiet corner of a library or your favourite cafe. Whatever space you choose, avoid doing homework at home in bed. Stealing a late night snooze might cost you precious study time.

• Banish clutter. Piles of books, strewn papers and dirty dishes from yesterday's takeout all distract you from the task at hand - schoolwork. Create an area of calm by keeping your study area clutter free. It won't take much effort to tidy up as you go.

• Prioritize, prioritize. Invest in calendaring software like Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to help keep your agenda on track. Creating an electronic to-do list of class projects, essays or exams can motivate you to check off tasks. Use coloured flags to determine priorities, and set reminders for key deadlines so you never miss an important assignment.

• Find the best time to study. Are you most productive in the morning or do you like to stay up at night? Determine your most productive hours and devote it to homework.

• Don't procrastinate. Studying for tests and exams should begin the first day of class. Strive to keep up with the readings and review class notes regularly. That way, when it comes to exam time, you can recall the information much easier.

• Collaborate. Try buddying up with some friends to exchange ideas and get different perspectives. Collaboration software like Microsoft Office Live Workspace lets you work together on assignments and share notes.

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