The times in which you study are very important to retaining information. Most people are more alert during the daytime, which means that most people also are more likely to retain information that they study during the day. If you wait to study at night or some other time in which you are sleepy or physically tired, you may not be able to comprehend or retain material very well. It's also important that you study regularly over the course of a class instead of trying to cram the day or two before an exam. The amount of material for which you are responsible in terms of most college tests and exams is vast. If you want to recall a large amount of material, you need to review it every day.
The place in which you study dramatically affects your ability to focus. If you are in an area that has frequent distractions (such as people entering and leaving, phones ringing and various background noises), you may not be able to concentrate. Find an area in which you can turn your attention solely to what you are studying. Libraries are usually good choices. If you would rather not study in a library, try an outdoor location that is quiet. Wherever you choose to study, try to free yourself from any temptations to talk, text, surf the net or watch television.
How you should study depends on your learning style. Some people are visual learners, some are audio learners and some lean toward tactile, hands-on learning. Many people respond to a combination of these styles. If you learn visually, try condensing your notes from class onto index cards. Use a different color of ink for each section of notes. Draw a shape around the notes that you write onto the index card. If you like hearing the material that you're trying to learn, ask your professor for permission to tape him during class. Listen to the audio tape when you are studying. If you prefer tactile learning, study your notes while performing physical activities. For instance, if you're studying music history, you might clap while reviewing material on Baroque composers and pat your feet while reviewing classical composers. Using different physical motions for various sections of material helps your brain to associate the information with the movement, which can help you to recall the material later.