BE ORGANIZED.

When you prepare to study make sure you have your lecture notes, textbooks, study guides, a pen or pencil and some blank paper. You may also want to have some snacks close by to avoid being tempted to break your study schedule to go out for food.

TEST YOURSELF.

Study actively by quizzing yourself or classmates to determine information that needs more attention and to test your level of comprehension. Study to understand the material, not just memorize it.

CREATE YOUR OWN STUDY GUIDE.

If the instructor does not provide study guides, or even if he/she does, create your own. The act of constructing questions, answering them, and actively writing down information aids you to remember the material better.

KNOW YOUR LEARNING STYLE.

If you are a visual learner, flash cards may work well for you to learn facts and mind maps may be best for larger concepts. If you are an auditory learner, you may prefer to tape lectures and listen to them again or read your study guide/notes aloud. If you are a kinesthetic learner, creating examples or real-life scenarios that relate to the information or working through challenging material with a classmate may work for you. For a reading/writing learner, rewriting your notes and study guide may help you learn the material better. Refer to http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp for more tips based on your strongest learning style.