Study Smarter, Not Harder: A Guide to College-Level Learning for New Students
Starting college is a big step and learning how to study effectively is one of the most important ways to set yourself up for success. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. At Le Moyne, our Student Success Center is here to help you uncover your learning style, develop smart study strategies, and feel more confident in your classes.
Why Studying in College Is Different
In high school, reviewing notes or cramming the night before may have been enough. But in college, classes move faster, expectations are higher, and independent learning plays a bigger role. The way you study can make all the difference.
Find Your Learning Style
Everyone learns differently. Understanding your strongest learning style can help you make better use of your time and energy.
Visual learners do well with diagrams, color coding, and charts.
Visual learners do well with diagrams, color coding, and charts.
Auditory learners retain more by listening, joining class discussions, or talking things through.
Auditory learners retain more by listening, joining class discussions, or talking things through.
Kinesthetic learners learn by doing: think movement, hands-on activities, or physical interaction with the material.
Kinesthetic learners learn by doing: think movement, hands-on activities, or physical interaction with the material.
Rewriting notes using different colors (visual), explaining a concept out loud (auditory), or walking around while reviewing flashcards (kinesthetic) can all help solidify what you’ve learned and help you see what kind of learning style works best for you.
Rewriting notes using different colors (visual), explaining a concept out loud (auditory), or walking around while reviewing flashcards (kinesthetic) can all help solidify what you’ve learned and help you see what kind of learning style works best for you.
Five Questions to Help You Build Your Study Plan
Will solo or social be the best way for you to study? Study groups, peer tutors, friends, or even faculty office hours all can play a role.
Will solo or social be the best way for you to study? Study groups, peer tutors, friends, or even faculty office hours all can play a role.
Use your learning style to guide you: study maps, flashcards, rewriting notes, summarizing readings visually or verbally.
Use your learning style to guide you: study maps, flashcards, rewriting notes, summarizing readings visually or verbally.
The best time is before you’re in a panic. Review your notes regularly, especially at the end of each week. Don’t forget to sleep, stretch, and eat healthy.
The best time is before you’re in a panic. Review your notes regularly, especially at the end of each week. Don’t forget to sleep, stretch, and eat healthy.
Find a space with few distractions. Your dorm room, a quiet corner in the library, or even a tucked-away classroom can do the trick. (And yes, you need to put your phone away!)
Find a space with few distractions. Your dorm room, a quiet corner in the library, or even a tucked-away classroom can do the trick. (And yes, you need to put your phone away!)
Start with your “why.” What do you want to get out of your study session? When your studies feel meaningful, your motivation gets a boost.
Start with your “why.” What do you want to get out of your study session? When your studies feel meaningful, your motivation gets a boost.
This simple framework helps you study with intention:
- Approach: Set a positive tone and eliminate distractions.
- Survey & Study: Preview the material, break it into manageable chunks, then dig in.
- Put Aside: Close the book and recall what you’ve learned, summarize what you understand.
- Inquire: Ask questions, research, and seek help if something’s unclear. (we have many resources to help you)
- Reflect: Consider how this knowledge connects to your goals.
- Evaluate: What worked? What didn’t? Adjust as needed.
This simple framework helps you study with intention:
- Approach: Set a positive tone and eliminate distractions.
- Survey & Study: Preview the material, break it into manageable chunks, then dig in.
- Put Aside: Close the book and recall what you’ve learned, summarize what you understand.
- Inquire: Ask questions, research, and seek help if something’s unclear. (we have many resources to help you)
- Reflect: Consider how this knowledge connects to your goals.
- Evaluate: What worked? What didn’t? Adjust as needed.
You're Not in This Alone
Whether you’re tackling your first college exam or just figuring out how to get started, we’ve got your back. Visit the Student Success Center on the first floor of the Noreen Reale Falcone Library. Our academic coaches, peer tutors, and friendly staff are here to support you (no matter your major).
Take a Deeper Dive
Want to Learn More?
Your academic life at Le Moyne isn’t just about handing in papers and taking tests – it’s learning about yourself and what works for you.
Thanks to Le Moyne’s Student Success Center, Maryland Community College’s Developing Effective Study Habits and Bridgewater State University’s Tutoring Central
