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20 Tips for Academic Success at UT and the School of Nursing

  1. In higher education, it’s standard advice to allow two hours of study time for every hour spent in class. For instance, if you have a 3-hour class, you will probably want to spend about 6 hours a week studying for that class.
  2. Set goals for yourself. Effective goals are specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-bound. Setting goals allows you to take charge of your life as a student.
  3. Consider making a schedule. Schedules can help you clearly visualize and better understand what you need to accomplish each day, and so they allow you to make the best use of your time.
  4. Plan ahead and prioritize! When you get the syllabus at the beginning of the semester, mark all the dates on your calendar. If you have a test and a big paper due on the same day in different classes, plan on getting the paper done early. Keeping a weekly and/or monthly planner helps keep you focused.
  5. Do something daily. It’s hard to catch up once you fall behind. Don’t overdo it; leave some blank space on your schedule for spontaneity.
  6. Do not wait until the last minute to do your homework or study for a test. Cramming for tests does not work. Also, do not stay up all night the night before a test. Your body and brain perform best when you remain on a regular schedule.
  7. Get a good night’s sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. A regular routine keeps you in step with your biological rhythms and helps you make it through an entire day without needing a nap.
  8. Form study groups. Sharing ideas with people and helping one another is one of the best ways to learn. Many minds are often better than just one.
  9. Go to class and pay attention when you are there. Arrive on time and stay to the end—important information is often imparted at the beginning and in the last few minutes!
  10. Review and organize or outline your class notes as soon as possible after class. Review the notes periodically, not just in preparation for a test. This way, you will be more familiar with your notes and better prepared when it is time for the test.
  11. Learn how to preview readings and to read effectively. Do the required readings and homework assignments. Pace yourself so you don’t end up doing it all at the last minute.
  12. Find a good place to study, somewhere you can concentrate. The Study Lounges on the 3rd floor of the Nursing Building are convenient, quiet and comfortable!
  13. Be smart with your studying. Study in short concentrated periods and periodically take breaks to give your mind a rest. Studying straight for more than 2 hours without a short break is not effective. Do the homework you least want to do first and get it out of the way. Make sure you do the most important stuff first and when you are at your peak energy time.
  14. Reserve large blocks of time — such as an hour or more — for working with new material or learning complex concepts. Then figure out how long you’re able to concentrate, and divide the large blocks into smaller blocks that cover the same length of time.
  15. Learn the material the first time! The most effective way to study is if you have paid attention in class and understood the material from the beginning. Be an active learner, engage yourself in the material, don’t just “look at it”.
  16. Talk to your Professors and TA’s early in the semester. Visit them during office hours and never be afraid to ask questions. It’s helpful and beneficial to become acquainted with them. Always let them know if you are ill, late with a paper, or having some other difficulty. They are real people and will usually try to do what they can to help you.
  17. To anticipate what will be on the test, try to figure out what the professor spent the most time on or emphasized the most. Collaborate with your study group and create mock questions before the test.
  18. Don’t let yourself become a victim of test anxiety! The University of Texas Learning Center located at Jester A332 is a valuable resource. They offer great seminars on this and other topics, such as time management and eliminating procrastination.
  19. Use the free support services available to you at the School of Nursing’s Learning Center located on the 5th floor: academic counseling, individual tutors, learning skills seminars, APA help, media library, computers and computer mini-courses, etc.
  20. Get involved! Join organizations at the School of Nursing and around the University. It will make you feel more connected and you will meet a lot of people with the same interests.

Resources for Academic Assistance:

The School of Nursing
Learning Enhancement Services
NUR 5.102K
512-232- 4775

The University of Texas Learning Center
Jester A332, 512-471-3614

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