Tips for Studying

I get asked a lot how to study for tests in econ courses. Some advice:

  1. Start early: set aside at least an hour or two per week to study. Eat an elephant one bite at a time. Don’t wait until right before a test to cram (which is stressful, and stress never helps on tests).

  2. Write your own study guide: before tests, write a personalized study guide

    • Don’t ask for one or use someone else’s. Only you know what your strengths and weaknesses are, so write a study guide designed for yourself. This includes generative AI: ChatGPT, Claude, etc. don’t know what you should focus on studying (and are wrong more often than you should be comfortable with).

  3. Actually read the book, but also…

  4. …do practice problems: econ classes (both micro and macro) are not classes where simply reading the book is enough to do well

  5. Be active in class: ask questions! Even if you feel confident about a topic, ask a question you’re pretty sure you know the answer to anyway (because you might not!)

  6. Go to office hours: they’re there for you. Use them.

  7. Teach what you learn: it sounds awkward, but tell your mom, roommate, or whoever will listen about what you’re learning. It’ll help you review, organize topics and concepts in your head, and figure out what you do know vs. what you don’t.