How to Get the Most Out of Your Study Time
As an adult considering returning to college, you're probably worried about how to manage work, family responsibilities, and classes as well. Without a doubt you're wondering how in the world you could possibly find time to study when you already juggle the demands of work, housekeeping chores, and the needs of your spouse and children. I'm sure you feel that just finding time to yourself is nearly impossible as things are, so how could you manage study time as well? Fortunately, there are answers!
Stake A Claim To "Your" Time
First, lay claim to a certain part of each day as your time, and devote some of this time to studying! Maybe it's in the afternoon when your little one is down for his nap. Maybe it's at night, when the kids are all in bed. Maybe it's in the morning before your husband is even awake, or perhaps it's during a slow night shift at work. Most of us tend to opt for studying late at night, but if you can get up earlier, your brain will be fresher and you'll get more accomplished.
But what if you're always on the go? What if you can't set aside a time for studying? It's important that you realize that going back to school (or perhaps going to school for the first time!) was a decision that was important to you. Therefore, setting aside time for studying is also important to you. It's easy, especially if you're a mother, to put everyone else's needs above your own. But you need to realize that it's not unreasonable to say, okay, this little patch of time is mine, and I'm going to use it to study.
And that's the thing; it is a little patch of time. We're not talking about a six-hour straight study marathon! Your study time should be at least an hour a day, but it doesn't have to be more than two hours.
Does two hours sound like a lot of time? The good news is, you can break it down. Do an hour in the morning before the kids wake up and an hour in the evening before you go to bed. If you absolutely cannot do more than an hour a day, break that hour into half-hours of study time. Just be careful when you're dealing with such a small amount of time, it's easy to whittle it away getting a cup of coffee or answering the phone or going to the bathroom. You need that study time to be uninterrupted. If that means taking the phone off the hook, going into the bedroom and locking the door, do it. Go to the bathroom and get your cup of coffee before the half hour starts ticking away. Your grades will thank you for it.
You don't have to have a huge patch of study time. You do, however, have to be consistent. You will never have to "cram" if you set aside a little bit of time each day to study.
Get Organized
Plan ahead and have all your study materials " books, papers, pens, pencils, etc. " together in the same place. This will not only cut down on the time it takes to get everything together, it will also help you get into your "now it's time to study" mindset. Your place can be a desk, a set of drawers, a backpack, even a designated corner where you pile your things! The important thing is to have a spot where you keep your study materials and nothing else.
With your time set and all your study materials in place, you're ready to get started. But with such a small amount of time, how do you make the most of it?
Making The Most Of Your Study Time
Begin by dividing your study time into "slots" for the different subjects you are studying. This could be twenty-minute segments within an hour of study, or it could be a different day for each subject. Some classes will require more work than others, and you need to be able to allow more time for those classes. But you should always spend at least 20 or 30 minutes on each subject. This allows your mind to get into the "mindset" of the subject and lets you be more productive.
At the same time, you probably don't want to spend a whole hour on one subject. Changing subjects allows your mind to "refresh" itself and gives you a new perspective on your material that's almost as good as taking a break.
While you're studying, try to minimize distractions. If you like to listen to music while you're studying, listen to music without words. Avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages if caffeine tends to make you jittery or hyper. Turn off your cell phone and take the house phone off the hook. If it's really that important, they'll call you back.
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- Online
- Sacramento
- Tucson
- Roseville
- St. Louis
- Phoenix
- Sarasota
- Hollywood
- Mesa
- Reston
- Maitland
- Houston
- Pasadena
- Troy
- Oakland
- Sugar Land
- Las Vegas
- Spring
- Los Angeles
- Livermore
- Ann Arbor
- Aurora
- Orlando
- Rancho Cordova
- Jacksonville
- Nashville
- Beachwood
- Flint
- Palm Beach Gardens
- San Antonio
- Lone Tree
- Irving
- Clearwater
- Costa Mesa
- Lathrop
- Chandler
- San Diego
- San Jose
- Baton Rouge
- Grand Rapids
- Lancaster
- Daytona Beach
- East Lansing
- Miami
- Fairfield
- San Francisco
- Bakersfield
- Murrieta
- Saint Paul
- Plantation
- Arlington
- Westminster
- Diamond Bar
- Manassas
- Temple Terrace
- Killeen
- Henderson
- Westlake
- Hurst
- Clinton Township
- Fairfax
- Elk Grove
- Fresno
- Tampa
- Fort Lauderdale
- Woodland Hills
- St Louis Park
- Salida
- Gardena
- Saint Louis
- Southfield
- Dallas
- Livonia
- Ontario
- Littleton
- Independence
- Palm Desert
- Portage
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Medical Assisting, AS
- Fort Lauderdale
Keiser University Campus
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, BS (Online Only)
- Nursing, AS
- Nursing, MS (Online Only)
- Jacksonville
- Orlando
- Fort Myers
- Sarasota
- Tampa
- Melbourne
- Fort Lauderdale
- Tallahassee
- Lakeland
- Port Saint Lucie
- Hollywood
- West Palm Beach
- Daytona Beach
Sanford-Brown Institute
Campus
Get everything you need for the medical career you want. Sanford-Brown Institute's advanced programs allow you to complete your certificate or degree program in as little as 9 months. Learn more today.
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Specialist
- Melville
- Orlando
- Austin
- Monroeville
CollegeAmerica
Campus
Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration (Online)
- Phoenix
- Denver
- Fort Collins
- Colorado Springs
- Cheyenne
- Flagstaff
Stevens-Henager
Campus
For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.
*Check each campus for program availability.
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing Education
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration
- Boise
- Layton
- Ogden
- Lehi
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Logan
- Orem
- Murray
- Saint George
Medtech
Campus
Start your career with an education from Medtech. We offer programs in biotechnology, health care management, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, medical lab technology, and nursing, plus several short-term career courses.
Programs:- School of Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Fort Wayne
Colorado Christian University
Campus
With a heritage dating back to 1914, Colorado Christian University is committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. As the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities located in the mainline Rocky Mountains region, and just a few minutes from downtown Denver, CCU is uniquely positioned to offer students a distinctive variety of educational opportunities and experiences. CCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs designed to equip students to become leaders in their careers, communities, families, and in the world. CCU students are enrolled at the main campus near Denver and at satellite locations throughout Colorado.
Programs:- Nursing: B.S. Nursing (BSN)
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Sterling
- Grand Junction
- Denver
- Englewood
- Colorado Springs
Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus
Lincoln Technical Institute provides career-focused, hands-on training programs with industry experienced instructors. Get the skills for a rewarding in-demand career.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Mount Laurel
- Paramus
- Shelton
- Hamden
- Casselberry
- Edison
- Lowell
- Allentown
- Brockton
- Lincoln
- Saint Petersburg
- Philadelphia
- Somerville
Harrison College
Campus
Get started on your career with an education from Harrison College. We offer more than 30 degree, certificate, and diploma programs in the fields of health sciences, veterinary technology, information technology, criminal justice, and business, in addition to our culinary arts academy.
Programs:- Nursing - Associate of Science
- Medical Assistant
- Indianapolis
- Fort Wayne
- Lafayette
- Elkhart
- Terre Haute
- Columbus
- Muncie
- Grove City
- Anderson
- Evansville
Florida Career College
Campus
Train for the real-world skills that help you launch a successful technology or healthcare career with a degree, or diploma from Florida Career College.
Programs:- Associate's Degree - Nursing RN
- Diploma - Patient Care Technician
- Diploma - Medical Assistant Technician
- Boynton Beach
- West Palm Beach
- Miami
- Clearwater
- Hollywood
- Pompano Beach
Marian University
Campus
At Marian University, our vision is to provide an education that profoundly transforms lives, society, and the world. Our mission is to be a Catholic university dedicated to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. We welcome students of all faiths who seek an educational experience framed within the context of our Franciscan values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship.
Other schools may prepare you for a career. Marian University prepares you for life.
- Accelerated BSN
- Indianapolis
Lincoln College of Technology
Campus
Our mission at Lincoln College of Technology's Marietta Campus, is to provide focused, short-term career training designed to allow graduates to enter their career field sooner while increasing their experience, marketability, and earning potential. Our career placement department works with each student individually and teaches, trains, and coaches them in all areas of the employment process, including resume writing, interviews and job selection. Graduates will have the ability to take what they learned in the classroom and either apply it on the job, increasing their individual job performance, or open themselves up to new and better job opportunities in a variety of rewarding careers related to their training.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Florence
- Columbus
- Franklin
- Cincinnati
- Toledo
Keiser University Graduate School
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, MS (Online)
- Fort Lauderdale
Kaplan College - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Associate of Science: Nursing
- Diploma: Practical Nursing
- Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician
- Las Vegas
- Indianapolis
- Corpus Christi
- San Antonio
- Charlotte
- Clovis
- Phoenix
- Lubbock
- Fort Worth
- Columbus
- Dayton
- Laredo
- Midland
- Bakersfield
- Stockton
- Mcallen
- Arlington
- Beaumont
