Studying is probably something you’ve been doing your whole life, without ever necessarily learning how to do it or the best techniques. High school is a great time to start to learn some new and improved study routines that will benefit you throughout high school and into college.
Space out your studying: Research has proven that perhaps the most effective studying technique is spacing out your studying over short periods of time over days or even weeks instead of cramming the night before. With regards to studying, quality matters much more than quantity, so intensely studying for a few periods of time every week will benefit you much more than staying up all night the night before an exam.
Don’t just reread: Passively studying–i.e., just rereading the text and underlining a few words here and there–doesn’t really do much for you. Instead, try to engage with the material actively. Use flashcards, practice tests, and problems, or create examples. Reading the material over and over is easy, but it won’t help you remember the concepts on test day. Actively using tools like flashcards to retrieve the material from your memory will.
Create a plan: Since we already know cramming doesn’t work, create a detailed study plan so you know exactly what concepts to study in the days and weeks leading up to your exam (this can be especially helpful if you’re taking multiple exams). This will allow you to be much more time-effective in the long run since planning out short bursts of intense studying is better than passively reading the material for hours.
Teach the material: A good test of how well you really know the material is whether or not you can explain it to others. Try to teach the concepts, whether to yourself or to others. If you can’t explain something, chances are you need to study it more.
Move around: Find the study space that works best for you. Some people need absolute silence to work, so studying in your room or the quiet level of the library may be best. Others benefit more from study groups or having background noise–it’s up to you to experiment and determine what helps you. If you’re having a hard time working up the motivation to study, then changing your study space could also be a way to liven things up.
Use all of your resources: Don’t forget about what you have available. If you’re in college, campuses offer a variety of services to help you academically, from writing centers to office hours to peer tutors. If you’re in high school, many high schools offer peer tutoring programs for before and after school study sessions. Make the most of these resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it–that’s why they’re there.
Take care of yourself: Be sure to eat healthy, get a good night’s sleep, and continue to look after yourself, mentally and physically: you test your best when you feel your best.
Studying is not an inherent talent that some people have, and others don’t. Like any other skill, it can be improved with time and practice.