45 Learning, Studying, Productivity and Other College-Centric Blogs

College sure has changed in the past decade or so. Used to be, students had to learn to deal with the hurdles as they went along. Now, there are many hundreds of college-related blogs — be they study tips, student blogs, professor blogs, college lifestyle or something in between — many of which can provide invaluable advice, tips, reference information and useful points of view to get you through the college experience — from finding schools to applying, success in college and even preparing for your career after graduation. We’ve put together a resource list of college-centric blogs that we hope will be of value to readers.

UPDATE: As is to be expected, students graduate. Our original resource list, written a few years ago, was in need of a refresh. We’ve updated this resource by removing defunct or dormant blogs, edited information for still active blogs, and added extra resource entries and a new category — now for a total of over 50 blogs in six categories.

Learning, Literacy, Memory, Problem Solving, Productivity, Study, Writing

• Cal Newport’s professor blog, Study Hacks Blog: Decoding Patterns of Success, delves into not just study hacks (as per the name) but also covers productivity, research history, and other topics, as well as echo his three books for students (How to Be a High School Superstar, How to Become a Straight-A Student, and How to Win at College). Recent posts cover topics such as digital minimalism, questioning whether we need smartphones, and whether YouTube is valuable or a distraction.
• ThoughtCo Homework Help blog is likely more geared to non-college students but which if used/ applied lead to good study and learning habits that can stand in good stead in college as well. Recent post topics include productivity tips, and bullet journaling for beginners.
• Improve Your Learning and Memory blog is not specifically aimed at college students, but talks about learning and study techniques, health as relevant to success, etc. — so the site can be of immense value to anyone, especially students. Recent posts include “How Learning and Memory Relate to Free Will” and “Two New Discoveries to Explain Why Exercise Is Good for You.”
• The Reading Workshop blog is for more than just students (teachers, family, etc) and offers tips and thought on more effective reading. While not specifically for college students, the tips can help improve your college studying efficiency. Recent posts include a series of quick grammar tests.
• The Study Blog is published by the University of Warwick Library, with posts written by staff and UW students. While British-based, the site is still relevant to American college students. Recent posts provide tips on setting realistic New Year’s resolutions/ goals, using commute time to college productively, and how to take effective lecture notes.
• Despite the misleading name (explained on the site), the Asian Efficiency blog is about general productivity techniques for everyone. (The main site offers additional training, workshops and hacks, and the blog includes both articles and a podcast entries.) Recent posts discuss a hybrid digital/ analog calendar system, and how to stick to your goals.
• A Life of Productivity is a general site/ blog (formerly A Year of Productivity) that deals with various aspects of productivity, whether or not you’re a student. Published by a business school graduate, its recent posts talk about the value of taking a break after a big project, dealing with guilt when we’re not working, and solving complex problems by not focusing on them.
• Lisa’s Study Guides is a Vlog (video blog) offering advice on studying efficiency, in general. Recent entries cover how to write a thousand-word essay in an hour, determining how many quotes is suitable for an essay, and tips on essay plans.
• Mariana’s Study Corner vlog provides general study tips, as well advice on note taking, motivation and productivity, organization, college routines and lifestyle, etc. Recent video entries offer advice on math study, preparing for a new semester, and top-notch note-taking.
• ArtofSmartTV (formerly MrStudyTV) claims to help students answer the question of what to do after finishing school, and how to get there. Recent video entries include suggestion on the best way to make the most of a new semester in week one, balancing studying and breaks, and setting school goals.

College Planning, College Preparation, Financial

• Planning and Preparing for College posts information on scholarships, internships, summer camps and more. Recent posts include information about the Doodle 4 Google Competition, and a Summer Science Program (SSP, California and New Mexico).
• Student Aid Matters – The Edvisors Blog offers news and views of all financial matters relating to college students, including scholarships, savings plans, loans, the closing of for-profit educational chains, cutting college costs and more. Recent posts include tips on getting more money college, and the new IRS ruling relevant to simultaneously saving for retirement while paying off debt.
• On the Plan For College blog, you can find tips on college planning, application deadlines, leveraging summer vacation as prep for the upcoming college year; reviews of financial aid books and ebooks; mistakes made on financial aid application forms; saving money in college by sharing expenses with roommates and more. Recent posts include tips on verifying and double-checking college applications, and advice on what to expect from a good college planner.
• College Planning Experts Blog is a supplement to the LA-based services the site offers, including college planning, finances, search, etc. Recent posts include tips on getting grants regardless of income level, the importance of college planning, and tips for writing great college application essays.
• RISLA College Planning Blog is published by the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) and covers a range of topics of interest to college students, including college planning, prep, financial aid and education, advice for parents and more. Recent posts include thoughts about whether working during college is negative factor on grades, preparing for student loan repayment, and the benefits of filing with FAFSA.
• Score At The Top is published by ScoreAtTheTop, an academic support and guidance business that offers test prep, motivational tutoring, learning centers, private school, ADD/ ADHD special services, college counseling, grad school admission help and much more. Recent posts offer advice on writing college admission essays, reflection on college admission trends and on the good and the bad of PSAT scores.
• Yorkshire College Planning Blog supplements the services Yorkshire, and covers the planning and preparation for college, addressing primarily high school students. Recent posts include tips on finishing up senior year, and what to do the summer between then and college.
• My College Planning Team Blog is published by a group of educational consultants and financial aid specialists (some being vetted independent 3rd party advisors) for parents and college students-to-be, offering college-planning-related services, including workshops, college search, finding private scholarships, completing aid and other forms, reviewing student loan options and more. Recent posts cover the cost of not graduating in four years, help for filling out the CSS profile, and reducing college costs for families with a high EFC (estimated financial contribution).
• College Planning Blog is published by OnCampus College Planning, which offers service such as college search and planning, test prep, application guidance and more. Recent posts cover top habits of good students, and suggestions on how to use a bullet journal to take notes for campus visits during the college search process.
• College Planning Blog is published by Peterson’s, which offers college-planning-related services, including college search, test prep, funding options, etc. Recent blog posts cover campus-based work opportunities, a comparison of economics versus business degrees, and tips for finding and applying for scholarships.
• IvyWise College Admissions Blog is published by IvyWise, an educational consulting company that offers college prep, tutoring, admissions advice and more. Recent posts offer tips on questions to ask before choosing a major, how to stick to college prep resolutions, and picking meaningful community service activities.

Study Abroad

• The The GO Guidebook blog breaks down into multiple categories, several of which may be of interest to students and, later, graduates: Study Abroad, Volunteer Abroad, High School Abroad, Gap Year Abroad, Intern Abroad, Teach Abroad. Recent posts include tips on studying abroad as a business major, being an Au Pair in India, and teaching in Italy.
• CEA’s Study Abroad Blog leans more to the travel aspect — such as dealing with airline delays, traveling in specific countries or understanding local habits and laws — although that is mixed in with posts the reflect on semesters abroad. Recent posts cover topics such as: fashion industry interning in Florence, Italy; must-dos in the French Riviera.
• The API Abroad Blog has posts by students studying abroad in various countries, plus recounting experiences in additional countries visited while abroad. Recent posts include info on Spring study abroad fairs, and suggestions on responsible tourism.
• Hope College Blogs is a network of blogs, which includes the Off-Campus Study (formerly Study Abroad blog) presenting various aspects of study terms in other countries. Recent posts include topics such as thoughts before departure aboard, and dealing with arrival at a new place.
• Not solely a study abroad blog, StudentUniverse Travel Blog mixes in travel trips, deal info and destination profiles with study abroad reflections and tips. Recent posts include popular European Spring Break spots, pros and cons of flying Economy class, and alternative Spring Break ideas.
• Study Abroad Student Blogs are a multi-student-author collection of study abroad blog posts published IES Abroad. The organization is a non-profit partnered with 230+ college/ university partnerships offering 140 study abroad programs in 30 locations worldwide, with a $5M scholarship fund and even a special new Study Abroad Film Festival. Recent posts discuss the value of travel (comfortable or not), prepping and packing, and orienting to the schedule of a host country.
• Brought to you by the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), The Californian Abroad covers the benefits of studying abroad, financing the experience, applying for UCEAP, etc. — aspects for which the department also assists UC students. Recent posts cover travel hacks, handling illness while abroad, and suggestions for study abroad programs if you are a first-timer.
• The Abroad Guide is primarily a study-abroad blog, but also discusses issues important to working, living and or traveling abroad in general, mostly in the context of students and graduates. The founder is a former study-abroad student herself, and who now works in London, England. Recent multi-author posts include underrated European destinations, useful tech to have before studying abroad, and how to determine how much to save before a semester abroad.
• The Study Abroad Blog from The Study Abroad Portal actually publishes articles about college in general, not just about studying abroad, and in both English and Spanish, depending on the language of the writer. Recent posts cover studying in Austria, a letter between sisters on choosing a career, and the self-esteem boost that comes from studying abroad.
• GoAbroad Blog supplements the nonprofit services and tools offered on the main site, which includes a study abroad program directory and search engine (with the ability to compare programs and costs), an online crowdfunding platform for travel, a guide to travel scholarships and more. Recent blog posts cover the #1 student travel destination for 2019, and resources for travelers.

Post Graduation

• The Danie Roberts blog, by a former communications/ public relations/ journalism student, has graduated along with her into a post-grad blog, discussing issues that graduates often deal with. Recent posts cover job search after graduation, not taking your first post-grad job offer, and what do with your college belongings when you move home.
• Dani Dearest is a blog by recent college grad, Dani, who writes about topics that are of interest to both grads and current college students. Recent posts include tips on how to use a calendar to organize classes and assignments (free download), a Q+A on money/ finances for millennials, and tips on starting your career while still in college.
• Figuring Out My Ever After is the blog of another former college student now focused on post-graduation concerns, as well being a millennial. Recent posts talk about spending time with family before going abroad, setting career-relevant goals for 2019, and prepping to teach English in Korea.
• PoorerThanYou is a finance blog primarily for millennials, including those who have student loan debt with which to deal. Recent posts cover how to refinance a student loans with credit cards, and a series that covers the blog owner’s monthly net worth.

General

• Brought to you by the publishers of the QS World University Rankings, the Top Universities Student Blog covers a range of topics of interest to students – not just courses and financial aid but also including career topics such as job interviews. Recent post topics include exam preparedness and unusual ways to beat study stress.
• Stanford University’s The College Puzzle blog, by Dr. Michael W. Kirst and guest writers, covers topics such as financial aid, graduating with the least debt, coping with and reducing college-related stress, student-targeted mobile/ tablet apps, general education news, career planning and more. Recent posts include a guide to federal and state financial aid, reasons to study finance, and how a liberal arts program can prepare you for the workforce.
• The MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Admissions Web site has a number of blogs, including Student Bloggers, which publishes tips and thoughts primarily from college students (and sometimes admissions officers), ranging from what it’s like to be taking a certain major, how to prepare for a move to campus, how to prepare for classes, things learned in specific years (e.g., freshman year) and many other topics of interest to students. Recent posts cover topics that include doing Parkour for IAP (Independent Activities Period), and being an African-American student at MIT.
• The Lumerit Unbound (formerly CollegePlus) blog offers college planning and coping tips for students, but doesn’t neglect parents — offering advice on helping students through the entire college process, from planning to graduation. Recent posts cover learning approaches, and bad jobs for college students.
• College Life Blog covers Rasmussen College and local news of interest to students, as well as general news such as the job market, desirable skills, and more. Recent posts cover topics such as netiquette guidelines for online students, the pros and cons of online classes, and tips on paying for a master’s degree.
• Chase the Write Dream is a blog from a former college student, now a graduate working in marketing. Tori’s content addresses general college tips, post-grad concerns such as student loans and career, etc. Recent posts include a list of freebies for college students, what you might want for a first apartment, and dorm room cooking essentials.
• The College Cures blog covers a range of topics of interest to college students, both academic (studying, college life) and non-academic (relationships, health, finance, work). Recent posts cover setting up a dorm-room business, landing internships with social media, and choosing college courses.
• HerCampus is a multi-author blog originally started by female Harvard students. It now covers more than just college and post-grad topics, from students in Harvard and other institutions. Recent posts cover topics such as reading recommendations from the editors, and what the Title IX changes could mean for victims of on-campus harassment and sexual assault.
• The Undergrad Success blog doesn’t just limit itself to topics for undergrad students, but also talks about what comes after college. Recent posts discuss cover letter protocols, tips for improved job search, and balancing an internship with a part-time job.
• The COED blog covers news stories about college, entertainment, sports, culture, politics and more. Relevant recent posts cover education news including about ICE creating a fake university, USF accidentally sending out acceptance letters to unaccepted students, and a million-dollar-plus award to a PhD student who was beaten for “stealing” his own car.

Miscellaneous

• Ray Schroeder (University of Illinois Springfield’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning) publishes the Online learning Update blog, which is a manually-curated education news aggregator that keeps interested parties (students, professors) up to date on developments in online education/online learning, including technology, laws, trends, etc. Recent news items cover topics on adaptive learning tech, what to to know about online degree test requirements, and Coursera’s “Learning How to Learn” course.
• The College Fashion blog is like any other fashion blog, but it’s specifically aimed at a student readership, as well as written by college students. Recent posts include a comparison of American vs Asian colleges, being an early bird, and focusing on healthy habits.
• Dorm Room Biz is an entrepreneurial blog aimed at college students — valuable whether you’ve already launched a business or are planning to do so. Recent posts cover launching a business from your dorm room, reasons to set up a home-based side hustle, and keeping down overhead costs.
• Texas Tech Law school professor Amy Jarmon edits the Law School Academic Support Blog, which covers aspects of getting a law degree, from entering college to careers after graduation. Recent posts cover topics such as using a MBE (Multistate Bar Exam) simulation for improved scores, a special keyboard for lawyers, and the dangers of perfectionism.
• Though the Elana Lyn blog is a “professional and personal development resource” primarily about career, wellness and lifestyle, it was started by the author as a student at Columbia Journalism School. She is now a freelance journalist with work published in a long list of publications, including Forbes, Fortune, Time and many others. Recent posts talk about doing a life audit, how to answer common job questions, and dealing with different types of difficult co-workers.
• The Broke Millennial blog is not strictly a college blog, but since it’s aimed at financial concerns of Millennials, that currently includes some grad students as well as graduates/ alumni. Recent posts include a no-spend challenge, and the power of positivity for your finances.