Everyone in SPIA understands the difficulties of continuous dense readings, analytical papers, and tests that require active knowledge of the material, not just a passive understanding. It is a whole new world of education, and it certainly took me a minute to adjust to this style of
learning. After several semesters of honing my study routine and regimen, I am here to share the tips that have helped me gain a complete understanding of the difficult material in each of my courses.
For one, the time of day I set aside for reading, homework, and studying is incredibly important to me. I have found that I consume information much more easily early in the day. This is why I often devote the early hours of my day to completing readings or studying for big exams. This
keeps my brain fresh for the somewhat dense information conveyed by the political scientists or legislation I am studying. Not only that, but location is especially important for my attention and focus. I, for one, am a sucker for a good coffee shop, but I have come to realize when and when not studying at one is a good idea for me. For example, I know that when I go to Molly’s early in the morning, there is just enough noise that I can crank out a well-written paper or take notes on a certain reading. Other times, it may be too busy, with too many meetings and coffee dates occurring around me, making it an incredibly unproductive usage of my time. Establishing a supportive environment has always been a crucial step towards complete focus and informed intent in my schoolwork.
In terms of my approach to the work, I have found two techniques especially helpful for my understanding. Firstly, before a big exam, I always rewrite all my notes by hand. This allows me to outline the content in a way I can visually understand, highlight any gaps in my understanding,
and further reinforce my memory. Secondly, I will study the material by pretending to teach a class. It sounds silly, but I know that if I can teach the content to someone (even if they are imaginary), I will be fully prepared to answer any test questions. Sometimes I even record myself explaining the content and listen to those recordings on my walks to class. This is simply further reinforcement that allows the content to play in the background, even if I am not actively studying.
My last, most crucial piece of advice is that going to Office Hours truly does matter. This is such a cliché saying in college, but it is a fundamental foundation of excellent study habits. Attending Office Hours allows you to discuss the content in a much more informal and informative manner,
fill in any gaps in your understanding, and truly show how much you do or do not know. Even more, as a Political Science major with many papers to write, I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is to talk over a rough draft of a paper with your professor before making final
tweaks. Not only are they the ones who will eventually grade your paper, but they also have experience and insight into the aspects of previous papers that set them apart. Every time I have discussed a paper of mine in Office Hours, I have left with crucial feedback that has most definitely elevated my work beyond its original status.
While these are just a couple of techniques that have brought my schoolwork to the next level, there are many other niche ways to support your learning. The key is to establish a routine that works for you, while taking into account how your education looks now compared to high school. An SPIA education approaches knowledge with active consideration of its practicality in the real world. Because of this approach, it is crucial to establish habits that go beyond memorization and truly integrate your SPIA knowledge into your future endeavors.
Written by:
Ella Chapman
