Here are 5 tips that will help you Survive those classes, and still give you time to party your ass off.

1. Schedule study time between classes - the best time in the world to study is between classes.  It helps you keep your mind on the “class” train of thought, and it gives you a bit of down time between lectures.  If you schedule all your classes back to back, by the time you finish them, you’re completely worn out, and you are much less likely to study.  By scheduling study time between classes you can get the work done during the day – so you can party at night.

2. Find a Place to Study – Don’t study in your dorm – that Xbox will call to you every single time – and don’t study on the can, you’re not really concentrating on the studying in there.  You need to find a place that has a desk, a comfortable chair, and all the things you need around you to get studying done with as few distractions as possible.  The library might be a good choice…just make sure it’s somewhere that you don’t normally go.  Make it your study place.  By doing this, it’ll be easier to stay in that mind frame, and get your studying done more effectively.

3. Study in a Group – Studies tell us that students who study in a small group generally do better on tests than those who don’t.  Now, I’m not talking about getting a dozen people together and “studying” over beers or dinner.  All the previous rules apply.  Find 2 or 3 people that you have class with, take them to your study place, and work together.

4. Schedule Breaks – unfortunately, you’re going to have to do some marathon study sessions at some point.  When that happens, however, you need to make sure you take breaks.  Not giving yourself a breather can burn you out, and make the time you are spending studying less effective.  Take a 10 minute break for every hour or so that you spend studying.

5. Start with the Hardest Subject First – I know, I know – you want to save that one for last, because it’s the hardest one to grasp.  That’s the exact opposite of how you should be doing it.  You should tackle the hardest subject first, when you are mentally at your best.  The fresher you are, the easier it’s going to be to absorb that difficult to understand information…plus, if you get the hard stuff out of the way, the other stuff will seem like a piece of cake.

There are many more tips and tricks to studying that can save you time and energy, and I’m sure you’ll see more here in the future, but these 5 are the most crucial to me.  Hopefully, they’ll help you schedule your study time better, and make it as effective as possible.

For more tips on studying, check out these 5 Tips To Save Time Studying from CollegeCrunch.

5. Join A Fraternity or Sorority – There are two types of people in the world…people that can’t wait to join a frat in college, and people that hate all those people in frats in college.  There are more of the first type, but those of you in the second type list…you need to read this, and pay attention.  Joining a Fraternity or Sorority his a LIFE LONG association that will help you find jobs, get promoted, get into clubs, get discounts on t-shirts – you NAME IT…if you have a fraternity brother or sorority sister, it doesn’t matter if they even know who you are…you’ll still advantages that others won’t.

Is it fair?  Maybe not…but life isn’t fair.  Join up…you’ll thank me later.

4. Befriend a Professor - Not all of your teachers are jerks that are out to ruin your life…and you know it.  You don’t have to start going to dinner with them or anything, but becoming friends with one (or all) of your Professors has its advantages.  When it comes time to get a nice recommendation letter…who better to turn to?  When you need an extention…who’s your buddy?  More importantly, some of these people that are older than we are actually…gasp…know a few things.  They’ve already done some of the stuff we’re thinking about doing…and even though they haven’t lived our lives…they can provide some valuable advice from time to time.

3. Finish a Paper a Week Early – I know, I know…there are so many things to do.  How the hell are you supposed to get finished with something as long and tedious as this early?  Well, you do it by setting your priorities, and focusing on the task at hand.  This is a personal goal you can set that has a very rewarding outcome.  Do this once…just once…and you’ll want to do it every time.  Finishing up BEFORE the deadline is a skill that you need in college, and in almost any job you get in the outside world.  You’ll find yourself more prepared, more relaxed, and you’ll have taught yourself a great lesson in getting ahead.

2. Stop Picking on the Nerds - If you’re not one of them, then you are picking on them…making fun of them, or watching as others do it.  The problem with that is they grow up to be Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or maybe just your immediate Supervisor.  I know it’s fun to mock how awkward they look, act or possibly smell…but remember, if it wasn’t for nerds, geeks, and dorks, you wouldn’t have that cell phone, game system, or car.  Hell, you wouldn’t even have those condoms you SHOULD be using.  Geeks, nerd, and dorks make ALL THE COOL STUFF that you use…so cut them a break.  Get out of the habit now, and you’ll be a better person that is not only more likable, but that can also work better in modern office team environments.

1. Cut Class - What?!? Doesn’t this contradict the rest of the list entirely?  No…because I don’t mean cut class everyday.  I mean cut class at least once.  You have to learn to enjoy life, to do things without planning from time to time, and to have fun.  Have your own college version of Ferris Buller’s Day Off…but then get back to class the next day, and be sure you make up any work you missed.  Life is about a balance between work and play…and if you never play…work will eat you alive.

Keep up with the day-to-day assignments. Do the assignments not like you’re filling out a form, as quickly as possible so it can be crossed of the to-do list, but instead with the focus you need to master the material. That approach can significantly reduce how much time you actually have to study, because once you use a concept enough, it becomes yours, you own it.

For more advice on saving time while studying, check out these articles:

5 College Study Tips to Manage Time, and Maximize Effectiveness

5 Ways to Save Time Studying

1. Try to schedule your most challenging studying for when you are most alert, rather than fighting your natural rhythms. You’ll accomplish more with less effort.
2. Collect what you need before you start – course materials, food, something to drink, etc. – so you don’t have the distraction of having to get up to get stuff.
3. Find your learning style, and capitalize on it. Some people are more visually oriented, reading works. Others need to be more actively engaged, such as through creating outlines, using computer software, or working with a focused study partner.
4. Build upon your knowledge daily, rather a lump sum sort of studying. This enhances the amount you’ll actually retain, you’ll be less likely have to restudy old materials in order to grasp the new.
5. Be firm with yourself and others. Put your full effort in while you are “on the clock” and you’ll get a lot more done than if you are answering the door, the phone, e-mail or instant messages.

Related Article: 5 College Study Tips to Manage Time, and Maximize Effectiveness