Studying Well as a Hillsdale Student

Written by Kate Cavanaugh

Sitting in Philosophy 105 my first day of freshman year, I doodled as people introduced themselves. As the professor gave a brief introduction of the study of philosophy, it occurred to me that I didn’t know the difference between Plato and Socrates—I just knew that they were “morons,” according to the wise Vizzini from The Princess Bride.

Three weeks into my first semester, I realized syllabi were not just for class rules—they also included the reading schedule and exam dates for the whole semester (whoops!). From syllabi to Socrates jokes, many things we take for granted are wholly unfamiliar to freshmen on their first day of classes.

Learning to be a Hillsdale College student does involve learning about who the most influential philosophers were, but as you go, you’ll also have to learn how to study well. Here are some tips to give you a head start:

The perfect notebook: To thine own vibe be true

How you compile your notes has a surprising influence on your academics. If you’re a bit absent-minded, try the massive five-subject notebook for all of your classes. Many Hillsdale students swear by this. If you’re motivated by aesthetics, find a notebook that fits your vibe, or even DIY it.

It took me until second semester of my junior year to find the truly perfect notebook: blank, unlined paper leaves room for a creative layout. I add color with the Tombow calligraphy pens my freshman year roommate recommended to me, and I still doodle (but I try to make the doodles relevant to the lecture). If you’re not going for the Middle Ages manuscript aesthetic, keep it minimal with a black pen: underline, box, and indent new words, key points, and subtitles.

Personality of pens: In black ink my notes may still shine bright

School supplies are still relevant in college: start with the basics, and don’t overbuy. Do you play it safe with a pack of yellow Ticonderogas (the world’s best pencils!)? Or are you willing to live with your mistakes and write with a pen? Nearly every Hillsdale senior will tell you that the Pilot G2 0.5 gel pen is the most elite. If you want to take notes easily in the margin, hunt down a G2 0.38 pen: the tiny point allows you to write extra small.

Annotating: To underline, or not to underline

I know you can hear your 7th grade teacher admonishing you, but don’t let that stop you from writing in your books. When your philosophy professor cold calls on you at 9 a.m., it helps to see key points highlighted on the page. Don’t feel pressure to highlight whole sentences: highlight the most important word. Doodle something relevant in the margins. Add big stars next to inspiring or intriguing paragraphs.

Scared to leave a mark in that crisp new book? Be minimal and use little brackets at the start and finish of an important sentence. Draw a vertical line along the edge of an important paragraph. Try color-coordinating in class: make your own notes in pencil, then use pen or color to mark everything your professor reads aloud in class. This will be life-changing for quote IDs, I promise! And remember to track themes with sticky tabs to prepare for writing papers.

Study spots: Students who want to focus ne’er to heaven go

Behind on reading? Consider your study spots. If you’re always in Heaven (the top floor of the library) or AJ’s Cafe, then that might be why. Heaven and AJ’s are highly trafficked areas—often filled by your favorite people on campus. Study there when you have a low-pressure assignment that requires minimal focus, when you need teamwork, or when you have writer’s block. It can make studying less tedious and give you built-in breaks when a friend walks by.

But if you’re feeling stressed and can’t see the end of your to-do list, find a quiet space.

Lock yourself in a cubicle in Purgatory (the library’s middle floor), escape to a local coffee shop by yourself, hide in your room—whatever it takes. Add essential oils to a diffuser, listen to a boppin’ study playlist, and learn to enjoy deep-focus work. When it is not a last-minute, post-midnight panic, studying can soothe the soul. You chose Hillsdale College and your particular major for a reason: start early so you can enjoy the work!

Planners, please: Organization should be made of sterner stuff

In high school, you might not have needed a planner. At Hillsdale, you will. Four to five classes, one-credit courses, clubs, Student Activities Board events, and new friends will make for a busy schedule.

Start by adding the important dates from your syllabi to your planner or calendar. If you know you have an annotated bibliography due two days after Parents Weekend and an exam right after that, you can plan ahead so that you can enjoy your time with your parents. Otherwise, assignments will sneak up on you and you’ll end up staying up late, not submitting your best work, or having to miss out on the fun plans you made.

A bullet journal gives you freedom because it’s 100% customizable. I’ve had the same bullet journal since sophomore year. Write out weekly tasks, semester timetables, and poems you need to memorize. Pro tip: write office hours here, too. If you’re not ready for a bullet journal, an artsy planner from a local boutique shop or Amazon will do the trick.

Asking for help: It is not in the stars to hold our GPA but in ourselves

Big paper due? Confused about a lecture? Go to office hours! Weekly meetings with my Greek professor freshman year saved me. Don’t be intimidated; just sign up in Delp Hall or schedule a meeting. Don’t know where to start on a paper? Visit the Writing Center to discuss ideas. Killer Western Heritage class? Start a study group with your classmates; meet in a classroom and cover the boards with timelines and facts.

Most of all, have fun with what you’re learning. If your Great Books lecture was profound, tell your friends about it in the dining hall. If your professor said something hilarious but insightful, quote them on it.

Staying organized in college is a process. Start by building a system that works for you so you’re not procrastinating or forgetting assignments. When you get deep into your major classes, you’re going to want to be organized enough to enjoy the reading, think deeply about the papers, and study well for the exams.

Kate Cavanaugh, ’23, is an English major who flirts with graphic design in her spare time. Besides writing for the blog, she can be found mastering the creation of faux London fogs at Saga. She can also be glimpsed power-walking to her one o’clock, as the making of faux london fogs can be time consuming.

Published in January 2023