Open a new word document and pull all your sources together -- formatting, alphabetizing, layout on the page (indenting every line after the first one), etc. I started using this trick in grad school to give my brain a break during crunch time while still managing to be (somewhat) productive.

edit: removed a reference to a specific bibliography aid website because the post got flagged for recommending a product for its intended use.

edit 2: in response to everyone's suggestions of various apps / Word features that compile references as you go: http://i.imgur.com/VcSMtE0.jpg

Believe me, I know how easy it is to throw a bad homework in the garbage when you get it back or throw a test away that you killed it on but resist those urges. Keep everything that got a grade until at least the end of the semester. Professors aren't perfect, they do lose things and when they do your grade suffers unless you have proof.

Just today, I check out my grades at the end of the semester and see that two of my homework grades were missing. Send the professor an email explaing that I did them and he tells me "oh well." I look through my book bag and find both of them. Saved myself from getting a failing homework grade.

TL;DR Save your graded work. At the end of the semester you will thank yourself.

Edit: Didn't realize how many people don't keep graded work while at school. Nonetheless, helped me pop my front page cherry.

For me, this method is more effective than reading the sentences in reverse order, printing out the document and reading it on paper, or other such methods offered on LPT before.

The more obnoxious the font, the better. It should make you feel like someone else wrote the text and that you don't like them very much, allowing you to be very critical of "their" work. I use comic sans, freestyle script, or ravie.

If you normally write in one of those fonts, then pick a font that a normal person would use and also be aware that I don't like you very much.

Edit: Other methods provided here

1. Read the sentences in reverse order

2. Read it aloud

3. Have a text-to-speech program read it aloud to you.

4. Put it down and come back to it later.

None of these are mutually exclusive, mix and match what works for you.

As a part of my preparations for a test required that I improve my English vocabulary. However, the meanings of some words were really difficult to remember. I used to do a Google News search of the word to see examples of the word used in context (an earlier LPT I saw here). One day I clicked on Google Images by mistake and saw a picture related to the word 'contumacious' and instantly knew that I wouldn't forget it. I had similar results with the word 'alacrity'. Now I do a Google Image search of every new word I come across.

Note: The less common the word, the more effective Google Images search

It's not like I'm writing down trade secrets but if you want to cross something out, you might as well do it properly. I usually throw a couple scribbles in there as well to really seal the deal.

When it comes time to study, you only have to search them on your computer instead of searching for them amongst all your things.

Some programs will actually recognize the typed text in the documents as well, which can lead you to searching the document for what you are looking for.

A lot of universities offer free software for students that you can use forever. I made sure to download Microsoft Office before graduating for example.

It's a simple shift from "I'm going to learn this stuff" to "I'm going to teach this stuff", but it puts your mind into a state where it picks up on a lot more nuance, and by going over in your head about how you'd explain the stuff, you'll focus on what's important, how everything connects together, what the important details and the big picture are...

Online classes can seem deceptively easy. But, with other courses and the responsibilities of being a broke college student, two weeks without logging in can slip by surprsingly quickly. It's easy to let discussion posts or quiz freebies become missed assignments, and to damage your GPA when you could've strengthened it.

Instead, try making your classes the homepage on your computer browser so every time you're tempted to waste time on Reddit, you have a reminder that you need to stay on top of your academic game. I've found just forcing myself to log in once a day has been enough so that I don't slack off or convince myself I haven't missed any important deadlines.

When taking the test, they will ask you for an email address so they can send you the results.

They then send this address to every college in existence, so they can send you spam mail with 'helpful pamphlets to choose your college' and tons of superficial crap like that.

Though I'm sure some of it is useful, it ends up flooding the inbox of whatever email you gave them. Don't be like me. Make a separate email.

This isn't a pro tip I came up with, but one that my professor told me last semester. It's been a huge help when it comes to grades- by putting yourself in that mindset before the night of, you tend to get a lot more done, and then the night of can be used for review (or at least you'll have less on your plate!)

Link: Panelboard, the smart alternative to whiteboards.

My roommates and I needed a huge whiteboard to work on problems together. A whiteboard the size of your bathroom mirror will cost $35. Instead, go to Home Depot or a similar place and have the worker cut you a piece of panelboard. Panelboard works just as well as white board, just Windex it once a month. We got a piece of panelboard the size of our wall for $20.

This will hopefully engage students before asking the question and there will probably be a higher participation rate. This can also be used outside of the classroom.

That way you'll make a whole lot less of those rustling noises while you sit down and get ready, and avoid annoying all your neighbors who are trying to listen.

Most professors get their exam problems from test banks; and even if they don't the material that they taught followed the textbook just like other professors teaching the class using the same textbook.

Many profs have their course material on their own websites along with solutions to assignments, midterms and final exams, which can be great practice.

If you are stuck on a certain piece of work and take it as a sign to take a break, it could result in being reluctant to get back into it. If you stop in a place where you are comfortable, you will find the transition back to work much easier.

I recently had to sign up for a lease for an apartment. Being a broke college student, I was short by $20, but my piggy bank pulled through :)