Hitting the Books: 8 Essential Study Strategies for New College Students

Many students don’t feel prepared for the pace and rigor of college-level work, according to a 2024 survey by CollegeData. But learning time management techniques and building good study habits can help students adjust to their new workload and avoid all-night cram sessions.    

“College students who find the most success in their studies are often proactive at building on strategies that worked in high school,” says Leslie Doolittle, assistant dean of academic achievement and access in Bentley’s Office of Student Success. “They’re also open to exploring new tools and techniques to tackle a different kind of course load than they’re used to.”  

The combination of adjusting to campus, making new friends, carving out time for social activities and managing academics can often feel overwhelming. But with some good study habits, you can stay on track and feel prepared for the college coursework ahead. Below, find eight strategies Doolittle recommends.  

1. Take a Deep Dive Into Your Syllabus 

When a new class starts, one of the first things you’ll receive is your syllabus outlining the professor’s expectations. Read the syllabus so you have a sense of the course’s learning objectives, pacing, readings, assignments and deadlines. Is there an assignment due each time the class meets? Or maybe there’s a paper or test every few weeks. Learn what the faculty member’s priorities are in terms of course content, participation, classroom behavior and grading. Consider making a spreadsheet of due dates for all reading and assignments. Then plot the deadlines on your calendar.   

2. Attend Class (and Read Beforehand) 

There is a lot to be gained from not only doing your coursework, but attending each class as well. You'll understand the course material more thoroughly and have opportunities to connect with your classmates and instructors. Bonus: Completing reading assignments before class will provide background knowledge, so you’ll feel comfortable asking questions during class — potentially boosting your participation grade and furthering your understanding and connection.   

3. Find Your Study Style 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for study strategies. Explore your personal style by asking questions such as: Are group study sessions your thing or do you need to work alone? What time of day do you work best? Do you like to work in a quiet library or busier campus space? Your approach may evolve over time and across courses, so be open to changing it up, too, depending on the course and the kind of assignment.

4. Break Down Larger Assignments 

Big projects can be more manageable when you break them down into smaller tasks and set deadlines along the way. As you complete tasks, you’ll build toward your goal of finishing the project and avoid feeling overwhelmed by one looming deadline.   

5. Stay Away from Cramming 

For long-term retention of information, cramming isn’t a helpful strategy. Missing out on sleep to make room for last-minute learning can negatively impact your memory and cognitive functioning, which can make you less effective in your work. Instead, create a plan to break up blocks of studying over the week or two leading up to exams or project due dates.   

6. Take Breaks 

Taking breaks between study sessions helps you retain information. One approach is the Pomodoro Technique: Alternate 25 minutes of focused work with 5-minute breaks. After four of these work sessions, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.  

7. Keep Track of Patterns 

Notice if there are patterns when you miss a question on an exam or get points taken off your essay rubric. Are they due to careless mistakes, unfamiliar material, misunderstanding concepts or misreading the question? Do you do better with multiple choice, short answer or other types of questions? By identifying consistent mistakes that are getting in the way, you can develop specific strategies for addressing them.  

8. Ask for Help Early 

Make note of material you’re not quite grasping and reach out as soon as possible for extra support. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to catch up. Your professor’s office hours and study sessions are great resources. Bentley’s Office of Student Success also offers academic support services, including a peer tutoring program.   

When you get to college, you may feel the pressure to do everything perfectly right away. But remember that college is a time to learn and grow. Aim for progress, not perfection.