Most students will find that the requirements at university are higher than what they have been used to in earlier schooling. Even those who have studied little previously, will now find themselves in a situation where they have to study on a regular basis in order to keep up.

Your study habits will determine how successful you will be. Good study habits are a key to success. They will allow you to learn the material more quickly and easily, as well as provide that extra time to enjoy student life. The following are some general study tips to make your year more efficient and productive.

1) Prepare for every class by reading ahead in the textbook or lab manual.

Though seemingly an impossible task, it is well worth the effort. You’ll be able to recognise some of topics in the lecture. Not only will this help you to understand the material, it will also cut down on the amount of notes you need to take and the time required to review your material for an exam.

Remember: You have paid good money for your textbook - use it!

2) Go to your classes.

This one seems obvious, but there will be several times during the year when you will be tempted to bunk off. If at all possible go to your classes. Don’t depend on someone else's notes. Your notes are as personal as you are. Some items will seem obvious to you but not to another classmate. Errors in someone else's notes are a definite hazard. In any case, just being in the class and hearing the lecture will mean some of it will be familiar to you when you are reading the textbook, notes, or doing an assignment.

3) Read your notes as soon as possible after class.

This way you can spot possible errors and you will be looking at something that is still fresh in your memory. If you have time rewrite your notes. Your new notes will be tidier, better organised, and can include additional material and clarifications from the textbook. Although this may seem like a lot of extra work, it will guarantee you better success in your studies.

4) Read your notes and textbook many times.

Instead of going through a chapter slowly and trying to understand every sentence and equation completely, read the chapter at a slightly faster pace but several times. Every time you read the chapter it will re-enforce what you already know and you will gradually pick up a few more things that you did not quite understand before. Not only will your comprehension increase but your retention will be much better. The more you do something, the better you remember it.

How often have you forgotten something in an exam that you thought you knew? In pressure situations, such as writing exams, you are more likely to become confused and doubt what you thought you knew. Going over your study material again and again will give you confidence and reduce stress in those crucial situations.

5) Use the university’s resources.

Your campus will have many relevant resources available to you. Use them. Not only do they have libraries, they have people as well. If you need help with something ask your lecturer, tutor or teaching assistant. That’s what they’re there for. If you came across something in your textbook that you didn’t understand and it wasn’t brought up in class, ask your instructor or your tutor about it.