The following is a consolidated list of students' favorite study tips for new students to college. The way this list came about is students in the Writing & Reading Strategies classes listed three most effective study habits, and reevaluated them at the end of the semester in terms of efficacy, or what worked best for them. The final list is a consolidation of the students' recommendations.

Use resources.

Tap into support services: DSPS, EOPS, Financial Aid, LRC, Academic, Mental Health and Transfer Counseling, Library.

Be organized.

Know yourself: your strengths, vulnerabilities, and patterns. Have a plan for yourself that fits your learning profile.

Set meaningful goals. Monitor how you are doing in meeting your goals throughout the semester.

Choose your academic load and your out-of-school activities wisely.

Manage time by having a dayrunner and set up a weekly timetable.

Don't rush through things or leave things to the last minute.

Arrive on time to class.

Bring all needed materials to class: completed homework, textbook, paper, erasable pen, spellchecker, notebook, extra articles to read, etc.

Arrange at the beginning of the semester for any services you need, like shared notes, books on tape, counseling appointments, etc.

Make arrangements far enough ahead to take exams with extended time.

Develop good study habits.

Understand the course objectives, what is required, and how students will be graded for each class.

Preview relevant reading before class lecture or discussion. Stay ahead in your reading. Check the course syllabus during every class.

Have all homework completed prior to class.

Separate your subjects into different notebooks or sections of your binder. Organize all new handouts immediately. Keep your notebook in top shape.

Attend all classes.

Sit toward the front of class.

Focus; pay attention in class. Bring attention back when it wanders.

Listen to the instructor when he or she is talking. Try to maintain eye contact as much as possible. Take notes, even if you use a tape recorder or shared notes.

Review your lecture and discussion notes and tape recordings as soon after class as possible. Fill in information so your notes are complete.

Find a quiet place to study that is free of distractions.

Understand what is required in assignments. Read and analyze questions carefully.

Ask questions. Make a list of questions to ask while reviewing homework.

Check out your comprehension by restating what others have said. Use visualization (spatial imagination) to comprehend.

Take advantage of the opportunity to work with tutors in the tutorial lab.

Use strategies and computers to write essays. Get help with editing and final proofreading.

Make diagrams and draw pictures to organize and understand information better.

Use memory devices such as mnemonics to help remember facts, formulae, names, and major categories of information.

Use flash cards to remember vocabulary.

Develop study groups.

Research your topic in the library.

Communicate with others.

Don't let yourself feel all alone on a remote island.

Work with a study buddy or friend.

Call a friend from your class if ill. Ask him/her to tape the class and get any handouts for you.

Attend the DSPS peer support group.

Get support from the right people.

Seek assistance quickly before problems build up.

Speak with instructors in office hours. Share your concerns, check out your understanding, and ask for advice and feedback.

Attitude makes a difference.

Focus on your strengths.

Spend time doing something you love to do.

Be honest about your LD (self-disclosure).

Be kind (or at least polite) to others, students and teachers.

Respect others' rights to hold their opinions.

Do the best you can. Neither use your disability as an excuse, nor be overly self-critical. Believe in yourself. Let go of perfectionism and the fear of appearing foolish. Just do it!

Practice positive self-advocacy.

Health is important.

Balance study time with personal life. Realize your needs may differ from peers. Do what you have to do to help yourself.

Eat right and get enough rest. Everyone knows what over-indulgence can do.

Develop stress management techniques.

Relax and learn to get into things.