Study Tips (Score 1)

As a fellow university student (COMSCI,INFS, LLB) I know the feeling. Although I now study, I used to be exactly the same - I never had to work at school even up to the point where I left to go to university at 16. Even then, I didn't do it properly until one day I realised that although my marks were good, I still had unrealised achievement potential and decided to exploit it. I embarked on a strict study routine (a totally new experience!) involving doing the work as it came along, and studying progressively rather than doing it at the last minute - it's a much less formidable task that way (you don't have to concentrate on those bits of paper for so damn long), and does away with the daunting task of ploughing through vast amounts of material imperfectly just before exams. I take my notes roughly during the day, then at night I sit and type them up. This is perfectly sufficient study in my opinion, and there is the additional bonus of a nice set of notes to study from at the end of the semester. Although it does take some getting used to for a lazy night-owl like myself, I made myself do it by focussing on the rewards of such a regimen....to wit, better grades and no guilt about how I wasn't trying. The other thing is exercising regularly. You will concentrate much better and for a longer period of time if you go to the gym or for a jog before you sit down to work. The exercise break also has the effect of creating a gap between lectures and study. If you don't take a good long break, it is almost impossible to focus. One should also avoid studying on a full stomach, as blood flows to the stomach to digest and one's ability to concentrate is dramatically reduced. However, although the above will help, the only real solution is to kick yourself into it - I had to. All you need to is to make yourself start studying effectively, and it will eventually become a routine.