Find your study method
University study is different from school study in many ways.
Studying several subjects simultaneously
While in some cases you will have to take exams very close in time, you will usually focus on one or two subjects at a time, rather than many. Thus, it will be easier for you to organize your study schedule without interfering topics affecting memory retrieval. On the other hand, you may find it boring to go through similar materials for a long period.
Exams are often the only assessment opportunities
Though some teachers will allow you to take tests during the course to evaluate your knowledge or cut down on exam materials, there are usually few assessment opportunities before the exam. In high school you were monitored by teachers and parents, while at University you are supposed to manage your study time.
New subjects and terminologies
Some subjects are totally new. You will have to learn specific terminologies and achieve a good command of speech.
How can you know whether your learning strategies can transfer to the university arena?
Your previous school achievements are the most reliable success index: good high school students statistically do well at University.
However, what really matters is not how much you have learned in school, but whether you have learned to learn, that is whether you have a good study method. Some students who have developed a personal method during high school will easily adjust for the new reality.
However, it is not uncommon to find out that what used to work very well in the past can no longer deliver as expected.
The University of Milan provides an individual counselling service for students who experience difficulties that can compromise performance and adjustment to university. We will help you develop a personal study method that can work in different contexts, acknowledge your potential and become familiar with different learning techniques and strategies.
After successfully passing your first exams, you will feel more confident - that's why it is always better to start with subjects in which you are strong. However, it is unarguably true that no study method will work if you don't put time and effort into it. There are many ways to make learning more rewarding and effective, but there is no gain without pain.
The University of Milan provides a free individual counselling service for students who experience difficulties that can compromise performance and adjustment to university.