By Leanora Karnath
Amidst the excitement of living in a new country, being in a different environment may pose some challenges in adjusting to new study habits. Participating in the classroom can be just as eye opening as sightseeing in Florence. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet students from all parts of the world to share different perspectives when discussing class material. If you’re having trouble achieving a balance when mid-terms and finals roll around, the following tips may come in handy.
- Keep a planner to track all your assignments and upcoming exams. With traveling plans and to-do lists filling your head, it can be easy to forget about due dates for classwork. Purchase a beautiful leather planner from a local shop or download a simple calendar app that allows you to set reminders. Because your weekends will probably fly by with traveling and exploring Florence, make sure to complete your assignments beforehand and avoid the stress of doing things in a rush!
- Find a space that suits your study needs. Some people are most productive in quiet, secluded areas while some don’t mind the chatter of others. Figure out what works best for you, so you’re not wasting your time in a difficult place to concentrate. Consider stepping out of your apartment to find a cafe where you can study. You’ll also avoid dealing with any roommates who may distract you. The FUA library in Corso Tintori provides a quiet zone for serious reading and reviewing. If you want to go somewhere with a view, take your notebook to Oblate Library to see a view of the Duomo or bring your study materials up to Piazzale Michelangelo (be aware of crowds though). Need to be surrounded by green to power your thinking? Try the Cascine Park, the Giardino di Orticultura, or green squares such as Piazza d’Azzeglio and Piazza Demidoff.
- Wake up early a few days a week. If you don’t have early classes every day of the week, consider starting some days earlier than you normally would. Although most college students may dread the idea, a couple extra hours of the day can help out with completing assignments. Wake yourself up by going to a local cafe. Sit down with a hot cappuccino and flaky croissant while you complete some work.
- Improve time management. Few things are worse than sitting down to read your assigned textbook only to realize you can’t remember anything you’ve just read. Remember to cut out distractions such as social media to optimize productivity and complete assignments when you’ve had enough sleep. Reviewing class material each day helps your brain retain information as opposed to procrastination which oftentimes yields stress and mediocre results.
- Form a study group. If you feel like time is withering away with things you want to do, consider applying your acquired knowledge from a course to your surroundings. Make some friends from class and do something around the city to enhance your learning. If you’re in an art history course, go to a museum and study the intricate details of sculptures and paintings. If you’re taking an Italian class, go to lunch with friends and practice what you’ve learned by ordering in the language. Think of creative ways to reinforce all that you’ve learned.
Hopefully, these and other tips will help you excel in your academics for a memorable and rewarding study abroad experience. Happy studying!
See more of Florence and Italy at FUA’s FB, Instagram, and Twitter.