Ask any college professor and they will recommend three hours of studying for every credit you take. That means 16 credits translates to 48 hours per week spent on studying. We’re talking almost 7 hours a day!

That is just about right. However, if you treat college like a full-time job and follow these tips, you will succeed:

Take notes.

A good study session starts in the classroom. This means go to class – and be awake and alert during class. Taking notes is one of the best ways to most accurately remember the lesson. It also helps to take notes or underline/highlight when you are reading your homework assignment.

Review your notes often. 

A great time to review your notes is right before class. This will quickly refresh your memory of what was discussed last time and help you connect one lesson to the next. Don’t wait until a day or two before the test to start reviewing the entire chapter or section. If you review your notes every few days, you’ll find that by the time the test comes around, you will have a good understanding of the material.

Don’t always study alone. 

Studying with others can be incredibly helpful. Chances are someone remembers or understands something you don’t, took notes on something you missed, or has a different idea or interpretation of the book or assignment. Bouncing ideas off others will help you gain a more holistic understanding of the subject matter.

Fill out a study guide. 

It will take a LONG time, but type out the answers to every single question. When you finally fill it all out, you’ll basically be done with your studying. If you look up every answer and make sure you fully understand each concept, the review process will seem easy.

Ask questions. 

If you don’t understand a concept or assignment, ask questions! If you don’t feel comfortable doing that in class (although chances are someone has the same question), email your professor, or, better yet, schedule a time to talk in person. If your professor is not often available, utilize the tutors on campus (you’re paying for the resource already, so you might as well take advantage of it).

Studying in college truly is a lifestyle choice. Just like exercising your body, you won’t see results if you don’t do it often enough. Cramming before a test is like starting your beach body workout two days before summer. Instead, make studying a habit – it needs to be a long and consistent process if it’s going to be beneficial.