9 Tips for Helping You Keep on Track with Your Coursework.

Here are the successful study habits which have helped so many Penn Foster graduates:

  • Stay organized. Misplacing a book, study guide, learning aid/tool, notebook, or even a pen or pencil, can waste precious study time.
  • Don’t procrastinate. There’s no “perfect time” to do anything. Just get started. You’ll be surprised how much can be accomplished.
  • Set study goals. Decide how much material you would like to cover weekly. Then estimate the number of hours you’ll have to study. Determine how much material you will have to cover each study session to accomplish your goal. Your instructor can help you with preparing a schedule.
  • Deal with distractions. If there are distractions, eliminate them or, if possible, move to a study area where there are none. Many Penn Foster students use the public library as a quiet “home away from home.”
  • Make learning manageable. If the assignment is overwhelming you, break it down into tasks — a number of pages to read, a time period to study, or a particular topic to cover.
  • Understand the big picture. Don’t get frustrated and waste time trying to understand a single concept or idea. Make a note and continue reading. Understanding the bigger picture may clarify the details. If not, you can always come back to it.
  • Keep working. Reward yourself with short breaks if that keeps you working. Challenge yourself to surpass your study goals.
  • Review. Make a note of any information you found difficult to understand or retain. Before you begin your next study session, briefly review the material.
  • Get help. If you’ve read and reread, and still can’t understand the material, try an alternate source of information, or contact us for help. Remember, we’re here to assist you in the completion of your coursework.