The aftermath of a failed exam can be devastating, but there is still hope. With the sixth week of classes, and the second round of exams quickly approaching, it’s time to address this crucial part of college life. At this point in the semester, second exams and midterms are more than likely to appear. Facing a second exam when the first had disappointing results can be intimidating, so how does one face this? Though this seems like a complicated question, the answer is quite simple. The best way to prepare for an exam and to succeed in a class is to study. While this may seem easy, studying can be harder than it looks.

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“I definitely did not study in high school. Like, does anybody? No.” Becki Leonard, an academic advisor within the Academic and Career Planning Center (ACPC), explains. Many college students are just beginning to discover the importance of strong study habits in a new academic environment.

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“I think a lot of students got into college because they had good grades in high school and you didn’t really have to work too hard for them, but now that’s totally different,” Leonard continues. Most of the coursework in high school is completed during school hours. However, in college, the majority of learning takes place outside of the classroom. This shift can be jarring, causing many students to avoid studying entirely, or worse, study ineffectively.

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“If you sit down and study your psychology for four hours, eventually your brain is just going to stop retaining the information. You’re not really doing yourself a favor,” Leonard says, showcasing the ways that students burn themselves out. She continues to explain that research has shown that students may be better off switching subjects every hour to vary the information and increase retention.

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“I know a lot of people like to study with Netflix playing in the background, but what most people don't realize is that it often does more harm than good. Personally, I would advise against trying to multitask, even if you think you're good at it. I like to study where it's quiet and I can focus solely on what the content is that I need to know,” says Ashley Glass, a senior English major and peer writing tutor at the Learning Resource Center (LRC). To study effectively, it is necessary to identify a specific learning style.

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“I'm a visual and repetitive learner. To study, I like to rewrite notes and read them over several times in order to move them from my short-term memory into my long-term memory,” Glass said, when asked about her own study habits. On the topic of study skills, Glass also adds, “It's all about time management, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices for things that are more important.” Both Glass and Leonard agree that the most important part of developing study skills is to try out a variety of methods.

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“My advice would be to always try new ways to study. Just because one way does not work does not mean that another way won't. I find that people give up too easily and too often,” according to Glass. “I think it’s important to dabble in a little bit of everything, and try out, to find what works for you. Because everyone is so individual, so what works for me won’t work for you,” Leonard adds.

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If a student does fail an exam, Leonard urges them to visit professors during office hours. “Your professors are here because they’re experts in their field, so they know what they’re talking about, so if anyone’s gonna help you, it can be them. They want you to be successful; no professor sits there and says, ‘how many Fs can I give out?’” Leonard recommends visiting during office hours (listed in the course syllabus) for quick questions or making an appointment for more in-depth help.

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Studying for an exam may seem impossible, but identifying study methods that work for you will help you to succeed. With the proper preparation, anything, even acing an exam, is possible.