Find a place to study. While your dorm room may seem like a private, quiet place, Dartmouth College advises against studying in the dorms, citing the many distractions in your room and on a hall. Consider studying in the library or an empty classroom.
Gather your supplies. This typically includes textbooks, notes from class and any handouts from the teacher, as well as index cards, pens and/or pencils and highlighters. Some students also find it helpful to have a bottle of water or mug of energizing coffee to sip on while studying.
Read the assigned reading. "U.S. News & World Report" advises college students to read the text prior to the assignment rather than on the day it is assigned or, worse yet, after the corresponding lesson. To accomplish this, many professors include the scheduled reading on a syllabus handed out at the beginning of the semester. If you did not receive a syllabus, speak to your professor about upcoming readings.
Read any handouts and worksheets given to the class by the professor. These often supplement what is taught in class, and can include information not featured in the textbook.
Answer a set of questions about the topic, for instance math problems or discussion questions for a literature or history class. The textbook or your professor will usually have a list of these sample questions. Answering these questions helps to prepare you for an upcoming exam, as well as developing your logical thinking skills.
Review with a classmate. Not everyone studies well with others or groups, but it is a good idea to have someone else check your work. Speaking out loud is a way to reinforce what you've learned while reading. Additionally, getting feedback from another person is a way to introduce yourself to different thoughts and ideas than your own.