My current methods of studying, and ways of making sure I’m prepared are simple. For me, flashcards and 1 on 1 peer review work best. My roommate and I like to get together and pick designated days to study for certain classes. For each class we will sit down, coordinated and recognize what we need to review, quiz each other, and even read to each other. If one of us is confused, we help the other work it out and vice versa. For example, for Intro to Chemistry Lecture, we worked practice problems out together on a whiteboard and bounced information off each other as we viewed the slides from that day. In class however, I like to use colorful pens to brighten and highlight information I feel will be of value to me. I also like to stop, listen, and put into my own words what the professor is saying if there are no slides present. Outside of class, on my walk back to my dorm for example, I replay the class in my head and think about what I understood and didn’t understand and make a mental note of each thing to review when studying later. Even though the library is available, I like the comfort of my study room on my hall to do most of my work.

                One class I believe I’m doing well in is Intro to Sociology. A big reason for that is because I find the topic interesting and can relate the material to my personal life. Honestly, I don’t study much for that class only because I feel that thinking about it alone helps me remember what I already read and learned about during lecture. I guess my methods would be that I’m actively engaged and listening during lecture. When I’m excited to learn something, I retain the information without hours of studying.

                One class I’m currenting struggling in is Interpreting the American Past. Currently my study methods have been meeting with a group of three, not including myself, and discussing the lecture and comparing notes throughout the week. I normally plan 2 hours of studying for each class, if I feel I’m confident with the information or still need more time to review. During her lectures I take notes that are presented on the slideshows while trying to also listen to what’s being discussed. I need to focus more on what she is saying and looking at the exam review. Since I don’t like history, I tend to put off studying for it out of fear that I won’t be able to understand it, or that I will fail. I like to take advantage of the resources given to me along with notes I take in class, however I don’t use the library much. I am struggling with my motivation to study because of factors like my friends wanting to go out, my phone, or the TV. Why I’m doing this goes through my head every single day without fail. Why I’m in college, why I picked this major, it’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. There’s nothing else I want to do. If I have confusions, I will schedule office hours with my profession or perhaps it may be a problem one of my peers could answer. I currently am not confused about anything specific. I haven’t taken any exams yet, but I have 2 week 5. I pray I’m prepared and if not, it’ll be trial and error.

                The five tips I reviewed were order tasks from highest to lowest priority, user a planner, eliminate distractions, promise myself a reward for finishing a task, and don’t forget the necessities for a well-balanced life. One tip I think I could use to help my understanding is ordering tasks from highest to lowest priority, such as what is due first and what I need to focus most my attention on. One task I believe I could use  outside the classroom is eliminating distractions, which I stated I have a lot of.