Overcoming Common Academic Challenges

Study Habit Tips and Strategies

• 1. Time Management
  • Create a Schedule: Use tools like planners or digital calendars to organize your time. Allocate specific time blocks for classes, study sessions, and extracurricular activities.
  • Prioritize Tasks: Identify and prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance. Tackle high-priority items first to ensure you stay on top of your responsibilities.
  • Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Large projects can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, more manageable tasks, and focus on completing one step at a time.
  • Avoid Multitasking: While multitasking might seem efficient, it often leads to reduced focus and productivity. Concentrate on one task at a time for better results.
• 2. Study Habits
  • Active Learning Techniques: Engage in active learning, such as summarizing information in your own words, teaching concepts to others, and creating flashcards. This enhances understanding and retention.
  • Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable study goals. An example can be writing a small list of short term goals for each week and checking off the completed goals. This helps you stay motivated and prevents feelings of being overwhelmed.
  • Variety in Study Locations: Experiment with changing your study environment occasionally. Finding a setting that boosts focus and combats monotony is key, but once you discover it, there's no need to change. 
  • Regular Breaks: Taking short breaks during study sessions can improve concentration and prevent burnout. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break).
• 3. Stress Management
  • Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate resiliency and mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, into your routine to reduce stress and improve focus.
  • Regular Physical Activity: Exercise is a great stress reliever. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. The Student Wellness Complex houses a large fitness center with numerous exercise related activities to artifact in throughout the term. 
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and avoid excessive caffeine or sugar intake. These factors contribute to overall well-being. Recreation and Wellness provides excellent nutrition services and resources.
  • Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a counselor if you're feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, sharing your concerns can provide valuable perspectives and support. The Counseling Center focuses on providing diverse counseling, consultations, and learning resources rooted in cultural understanding. 
• 4. Preventing College Burnout
  • Set Boundaries: Know your limits and learn to say no when you feel overwhelmed. It's okay to prioritize self-care.
  • Diversify Activities: Balance academic work with extracurricular activities and hobbies you enjoy. This provides a well-rounded college experience.
  • Reflect on Goals: Periodically review your academic and personal goals. Adjust them if needed and celebrate achievements along the way. 
  • Connect with Others: Build a support network by connecting with classmates, joining clubs, or participating in campus events. Shared experiences can help combat feelings of isolation. Perch Portal can be a starting point for joining a club and frequently checking events held by Student Life can help you connect with the UNF campus.