As the semester starts, I try to get a feel for all my classes. What is the final grade in each class composed of? Is it mostly tests? Is there a lot of homework or only a little? Are there other random assignments such as iClicker class participation, pop quizzes, essays/papers, or required participation in self-directed projects or research? (for example, my Psychology class required us to earn around 10 "psych research credits" by participating in psychological research programs on campus, each worth about 10 minutes of your time. I arranged some studies pretty quickly and got it done early.) Once I get a good feel for the classes, I put all the test dates in my calendar so I can plan work around my academic schedule. I then look for any assignments I can do immediately and do all of them at once. (ex. my ochem lab requires us to do a "pre-writeup" in a notebook for each lab procedure before doing it based on some documents the professor posts online. I did writeups for all of the experiments over the course of a couple days) This allows you to save more time for assignments later on without getting clogged by busywork to augment midterm study. Most of this can be done within the first week of the semester.
Once I've done all this, I try to get any extra helpful material I can (for example, practice questions or sample exams from past classes). If this isn't available, the syllabus will often describe to you the professor's test types (multiple choice, short answer etc). The types of tests given in a class can dictate how you study. For multiple choice-heavy exams, I'll just read through the notes I got from class quickly and get the general ideas, and I'll usually recognize the correct answers when I spot them among the answer choices. With short answer, you need to thoroughly read your notes, and generally skim the text a couple times as well. In general, if your professor does give you practice materials or study guides, work the crap out of these things. Your text may also provide practice problems. These are good to use, but unless your professor teaches specifically from the book, take these with a grain of salt as they may emphasize different concepts than the professor. (ex. my orgo text questions were generally more convoluted and tested more difficult/obscure mechanisms than my professor's actual exams did)
Be very perceptive for clues from your professor. You can often predict test questions based on the enthusiasm with which s/he teaches a certain topic. Thus, I generally recommend showing up for class as well, especially for the medical prereqs (chem, phys, orgo and bio) but different classes will require different judgement calls.
Set aside one day a week where you won't do anything school related. This helps and applies to MCAT study as well. Get adequate sleep as many nights as you can, but this sometimes won't be possible. Listen to your body on this one.
Once past the initial part of the semester, start to identify problem concepts and talk about them with a TA/other students. If you are a visual learner, draw pictures. If auditory, google some lectures/get podcasts about the topic, and go to class and listen. If you learn by doing, repetition of problems and drawing diagrams/pictures usually are helpful. Khan Academy videos are also good for both visual and auditory learners and help clarify difficult topics. If the TA gives any recommendations on what sorts of things to study, it is generally good advice. This can condense a lot of study time into more efficient time used reviewing more things that will actually be tested and fewer things which won't.
This has worked phenomenally for me. Try some of the strategies and find what fits and what doesn't - study habits usually don't come with 100% generalization.
Nah man, I'm just playing.
