Study Skills

Welcome to our resource page dedicated to helping you develop and enhance your study skills. Whether you're a first-year student just starting your college journey or a senior preparing for your final exams, Cowles Library is here to support you. An important part of our mission is to provide you with the tools and resources you need to succeed academically. Below, you'll find a comprehensive guide to essential study skills and how our library services and resources can help you master them.

Time Management

Time management can be particularly challenging for college students due to the many and often competing demands on their time. Balancing coursework, part-time jobs, social activities, and extracurricular commitments can create a hectic schedule that feels overwhelming. Procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the time required for tasks can add to this stress. Developing a set of effective time management skills is critical for academic success.

Tips for Time Management

• Create a study schedule - Plan your study sessions in advance and stick to your schedule. Consider using free tools like Google Calendar, Todoist, MyStudyLife, or Microsoft To Do to help you stay on track.
• Prioritize tasks - Focus on the most important and urgent tasks first.
• Use a planner - Keep track of assignments, exams, and deadlines. Again, apps and tools like those listed above can help with this.
• Don't forget break - Include recreational activities and breaks in your schedule. It may seem silly to schedule a 15-minute walk, but breaks like this can help you reset and recharge, both mentally and physically.
• Visit the Drake Access & Success page on time management and organization, where you can find additional tips, tools, and help.

Crash Course Video: Time Management

How the Library Can Help

Study Spaces - Explore the various study areas in Cowles Library for focused group or individual study sessions.

Note Taking

There is more to note taking than simply writing down what is being said. There are different methods and strategies that can enhance comprehension and retention of information. Learning effective note taking helps you identify the most important information and filter out less relevant details.

Tips for Note Taking

• Stay organized - Use notebooks or digital tools to keep your notes in order. Apps and tools like Evernote, Google Keep, or Simplenote can help.
• Hiighlight key points - Focus on main ideas and concepts.
• Review regularly - Regularly review and revise your notes to reinforce learning.
• Visit the Drake Access & Success page on note taking, which includes a self-assessment tool that can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as additional tools and tips.

Crash Course Video: Note Taking

Active Learning: Cornell Notes

How the Library Can Help

• Explore library books, articles, and videos on note taking skills.

Research Skills

There are numerous library services and tools in the rest of the Research Support section to help you with your research skills, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start early - Give yourself plenty of time to gather and analyze information.
• Use credible sources - Utilize academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
• Organize your findings - Keep track of your sources and notes in a systematic way. There are a number of free citation managers that can help with this.

Library Help

• Librarian Consultation - Get personalized assistance from Cowles Librarians to refine your research strategies and find quality sources.
• Research Guides - Use our subject-specific research guides to find relevant resources on your topic.
• Research Databases - Access a wide range of academic databases for scholarly research materials.
• Copyright guide - Information to help you understand copyright and Fair Use.

Reading & Comprehension

Reading and comprehension are essential study skills for college students because they form the foundation for academic success across all disciplines. Effective reading allows you to absorb and understand complex materials, from textbooks and research articles to lecture notes and case studies. Strong comprehension skills enable you to grasp the main ideas, arguments, and details presented in texts, which is crucial for participating in class discussions, completing assignments, and performing well on exams.

Tips for Reading & Comprehension

• Active reading - Engage with the text by annotating, highlighting, and asking questions.
• Summarize - Summarize sections in your own words to ensure understanding.
• Discuss - Join study groups to discuss and deepen your understanding of the material.
• Visit the Drake Access & Success page on Reading, where you'll find information about reading strategies and additional resources to improve your reading comprehension.

Crash Course Video: Reading Assignments

How the Library Can Help

• Explore library books, articles, and videos on reading comprehension skills
• Midnight Hall provides ideal space for study groups to meet, and its collaboration stations make it possible to display a single device on a large monitor for the entire group to see.

Writing Skills

Strong writing skills enable clear and effective communication of ideas and opinions, which is essential for academic assignments, essays, and research papers.

Tips for Writing

• Plan and outline - Plan your paper and create an outline before you start writing.
• Draft and revise - Write multiple drafts and revise your work for clarity and coherence.
• Cite sources - Properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.

Crash Course Video: Papers & Essays

How the Library Can Help with Writing Skills

• Writing Center - Visit the Writing Center on the library's lower level for one-on-one consultations and feedback.
• Citation Guides - Our Citing Sources section will guide you in creating and organizing proper citations in various styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, and others).

Test Preparation

Many college students struggle with test taking, and it is sometimes difficult to know how to best go about studying for a particular exam. Effective test preparation can help reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Tips for Test Preparation

• Review regularly - Avoid cramming for a test. Regularly review your notes and materials to reinforce learning.
• Practice tests - Take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and identify areas for improvement. If practice tests aren't available, try creating your own test questions from lectures, notes, and course materials.
• Healthy habits - Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
• Visit the Drake Access & Success page on Test Taking to learn more about test taking strategies, test anxiety, and additional resources to improve your testing skills.

Crash Course Video: Studying for Exams

Crash Course Video: Test Anxiety

How the Library Can Help with Test Preparation

• Practice Tests - Ask your professor if any practice exams are available from Course Reserves.