As the nine weeks wrap up, many of us might be a little disappointed with our grades. Between a new school year, unfamiliar classes, and a winning football team, it’s common for students to have lower than ideal grades. The good news: 60% of your semester grade is still out there. If you are currently making promises to yourself- or your parents- to double down on studying and schoolwork, but you also want a social life, you will likely benefit from some of these tips from teachers and students on how to optimize your study time for maximum success.
Cut out distractions in your environment. Ansley Cox, a junior, shared that her study strategy is “designating time for focused study. To me, that means closing my bedroom door, putting away my phone, and getting to work.” It’s not just phones that can steal your attention. A study by the University of Georgia found that listening to music impairs reading comprehension and memory (link). The best study environment for focusing is one that is quiet, clean, and comfortable.
Study according to the type of test. Many students make the mistake of studying the same way for every test. This strategy is often inefficient and ineffective, because it doesn’t take into account the fact that different tests ask students to do different things. An analogy used by Mr. Sinnott is to think of your brain as an attic. “Recall” (memory) tests, like vocabulary or book tests, require students to take information out of their “attic”. However, most students study for these tests by putting information inside their “attic”, therefore practicing the wrong skill. For example, instead of using flashcards, try finding and working sample test questions online.
Do the prep work. Taking notes in class, reviewing what you’ve learned in class each night, and doing the homework are all habits that will make studying for the test way easier and faster. Several students, including Logan Gregory, mentioned the benefits of taking good notes the first time around. Logan also advised students to “do the math homework. Seriously, it helps so much.”
Start studying sooner. While it is tempting to wait until the night before to start thinking about a test, this strategy limits the amount of information you can feasibly learn. Also, staying up too late studying affects sleep, which in turn affects performance. Plan to begin studying a few nights before. This gives your brain enough time to process what it has learned and allows you to slow down and take breaks between study sessions.
Find what works for you. There are a million different strategies for studying out there. Researching and experimenting with a few might help you discover a much more effective method. For instance, some people need frequent breaks, while others prefer to stay focused the whole time. Also keep in mind that people learn differently, so what works for your friends won’t necessarily work for you.
At the end of the day, though, your grades don’t define you. Good luck in the next nine weeks and remember to study smarter, not harder!
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