High schoolers often find themselves struggling with motivation or strategies to study. Studying, therefore, becomes a hassle. It is essential that students study effectively, which will ultimately boost their eagerness to study and be productive. Below is a list of tips and strategies to enhance studying from some of our very own Posnack faculty and students!
“Review, Review, Review”: Remember to study over several days, not only the day before a test. Also, according to psychological studies, students remember the first and last topics they learn, so it is best if students rotate the order of the content they study. (Social Studies Teacher Michelle Levin)
Use Resources: Use the study guide to your advantage! Convert the topics from the study guide into short answer questions, and answer them as if they were a test or a jeopardy game. Handwrite the answers in complete sentences and underline important information when answering the questions. However, don’t just memorize the information, be ready to apply it. (Social Studies Teacher Shari Corn, English Teacher Meghan Wilk)
Handwritten Notes: When reading a textbook or studying, handwrite notes in complete sentences. Also, on the margin before every bullet point, write one or two words that summarize what the bullet point is teaching. Then, when studying, fold the page at the margin line, read the words, and test yourself to see if you know the information about each topic. (Social Studies Teacher Oscar Siflinger)
Know Yourself: Everyone’s body and brain is different. It is crucial to understand and know when your body works best. For example, some people work best at night, while others are more productive early in the morning. Take advantage of your body’s natural requests; if you feel eager to study, do it! To achieve this goal, you must manage your time wisely to be able to work at a time when your brain absorbs information. (Science Teacher Sara Edelman)
Remove Distractions: Although this may sound obvious, it is vital that studying occurs without distractions. Distractions, such as cell phones, disturb your brain from retaining information. If you lack the motivation to study without distractions, set a study goal and reward yourself with a break when that goal is reached. (Science Teacher Sara Edelman)
Spaced Repetition: This is a studying technique that reviews topics over a period of time. This method involves flashcards, which students use to test themselves. Set aside terms that still need to be studied and review them later. Over time, more complex questions are presented. (Senior Cameron M.)
Relax: Doing too much work will make you tired. Learn how to manage yourself and your time, and use all of the resources provided to ease your study. Watching relevant YouTube videos is a relaxing and fun way to review topics. (Junior Ella M.)
Rewording: Rather than just memorizing the material, you should be ready to understand and apply it. To help with this, when taking notes, write the information in your own words instead of copying what the textbook or teacher says so that you think more and get more prepared to apply the information. (Sophomore Ryan C.)
Pay Attention: Be sure to pay attention to lectures, and if needed, watch the recordings of the classes for reinforcement. Then, when studying, use resources, such as Quizlet to test your knowledge. (Freshman Nir Y.) Cameron recommends looking up her account“cmiller126” on Quizlet to access helpful Quizlets.
