It’s okay to switch up your study spot if that’s more convenient for you. For instance, you might like studying at the library or a coffee shop sometimes. Play music while you study so it’s more fun. Create a playlist of songs that inspire you but aren’t distracting. You might try instrumental music if you get distracted easily, but it’s okay to listen to whatever you like.
Everyone has a different time of day when they feel most energized. You might find that you learn best early in the morning, but it’s also possible you might like studying right after school or before bed. Do what works best for you. If you participate in sports or activities, keep these in mind when planning your studies. Let’s say you have sports practice every day after school. You might decide it’s best to study for an hour each evening before bed and an hour every morning before school to accommodate your sports schedule.
For example, you might keep your pencils, pens, highlighters, and erasers in a pencil pouch in your backpack. If you also have a desk at home, you could keep a cup of them on your desktop. Try using colorful pens for notes you write for yourself so it’s more fun. If your instructor sends handouts and readings in digital files, save yours to a Google Drive that you can access from any device. This way you’ll always have what you need. You could use a hole-punch to add holes to handouts, readings, and other paper items so you can keep them in a binder. As another option, you could keep them in a folder. Pick a binder or folder that has an image you like on it! You might even decorate it. Keep books or notebooks in your bookbag or beside your study space.
If there’s clutter nearby your study spot, you might want to remove it if you find it distracting. Try using a productivity app or website that can block social media and other distracting apps or sites during your study time.
Look for a few minutes of downtime, like when you’re waiting for the bus, sitting on the ride home, or waiting for your after-school events to start.
In English class, you could start with a story’s theme. Then, you might look for ways the author used literary devices to support that theme. In math class, you might focus on the formulas you’re learning and how to use them. Later, you can figure out how the specific math problems your teacher gave you help you practice. In History class, you might focus on the social and historical factors that lead to war rather than specific dates and people.
You might also try reading aloud when you’re having trouble understanding something.
If you’re a visual learner, you might highlight your notes or text. You may also try incorporating a documentary or slideshow into your studies. You might also like drawing a mind map so you can represent what you’re thinking visually. If you’re an auditory learner, you might try singing your notes, reading aloud, or listening to your text on audiobook. If you’re a kinesthetic learner, try acting out your notes or walking around while you read or listen to an audiobook. Physically manipulating flashcards or drawing a mind map might also work for you.
For instance, maybe you used math to determine the area of your walls when you were buying new paint. Similarly, you might think about how the characters in a story you’ve read relate to people you know in real life.
This is a good way to study because it requires you to take an extra step past reading your notes and textbook. Reading, thinking, and writing are ingredients essential for an efficient study session. You might prefer to hand-write your notes. Keep a set of colored pens or markers just for this. It’ll be more fun to rewrite your notes if you use special supplies.
If you feel like you get distracted easily, you might try the Pomodoro technique instead. Set a timer for 25 minutes and try to study that entire time. Take a 2- to 3-minute break, then start the next session. Do a total of 4 study blocks, with short breaks between them. After the 4th block, either stop studying for the day or take a longer 15-minute break before you start another study block. [11] X Research source Use your breaks for something that energizes you, like getting a snack or going for a short walk. Don’t turn on your TV or a video game because it might distract you.
Fruit Almonds Popcorn Trail mix Carrots and hummus Dark chocolate Greek yogurt Apple slices and peanut butter Grapes
For example, you might decide to study Math and English on Monday afternoons. If you have 2 hours to study, you might study Math for 45 minutes, take a 15-minute break, then study English for 45 minutes. You could spend the final 15 minutes doing a self-test or review. Do the subject that interests you least first so you’ll be more excited to switch topics.
Making the cards yourself is super beneficial because you’ll have to write out all of the information you’re learning when you create the cards. You can find pre-made flashcards about many topics on the website Quizlet.
Try looking up example mind maps online to see how others have used this technique to study.
For instance, Khan Academy has a lot of video tutorials you can watch for free. You can also find videos on YouTube.
If you’re 18 or older, you need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, while kids who are 6- to 13-years-old need 9-11 hours of sleep.
Ask a friend or family member to quiz you if you can. Have them ask you questions about the material and check your answers. Take a practice exam using questions from your study guide or example tests online. This will help you identify any areas you need to review again. If you’re wrong, go through the correct answers.
You probably have friends who brag about how cramming works for them, but you don’t know what’s really going on behind the scenes. Ignore what other people say and do what’s best for you. Try planning something fun and relaxing for the night before your exam, like a bubble bath or watching your favorite movie with a friend. This way you’ll have something to look forward to that might motivate you to stick to your study schedule.
If you get a question you can’t answer, find out the answer so you’ll fill in that information gap. If you’re sharing with a classmate, take turns “teaching” each other. This way you’ll be getting double the information!
Pick an exercise you enjoy so your study breaks are fun.
Ask each study group member when they’re available so you can pick the perfect time for your study group. For example, you might arrange to meet after school in the library every Tuesday. If you’re all busy with after-school activities, you could schedule a study session in the library or a local coffee shop every Saturday at noon. It’s okay to meet more often than once a week if your schedules allow.
