Schoolingtoday Study Tips

1. How are you learning the material in the first place? Listening in class is naturally an important strategy, as is doing the daily assigned reading. You don't want to find yourself playing catch up, learning material you should have learned yesterday. Really. The more often you space out in class or skip an assignment, the more material you will have to learn in a shorter period of time.

2. Note taking often helps. Note taking can include writing in a notebook, affixing post-its, even drawing and charting.

3. Review notes every night. Double check that you really remember and understand the material. Some students find it helpful to have someone give them periodic verbal quizzes on certain difficult subjects.

4. Make connections. While it's terrific to memorize data, making sense of that data is important too. For instance, while it's important to know what a certain doctrine is, it's also important to look at how it was used and whether or not its impact was long term.

5. Take a look at your study environment. We won't tell you to turn down the music, get better organized or straighten your room. (Hey, if you're not listening to your mom, guess you won't listen to us.) However, we will point out that if you're reading study tips, things aren't working for you. So take a giant step back and look at where you're studying.

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The earlier you ask for help, the less you will fall behind. Keep in mind that everyone needs help at various times. Teachers, parents, librarians, (even web sites) can provide insight into a subject and clear up confusion. If you think you even need consistent help, let someone know that.

7. Spend more time on the subject you feel least comfortable with. Many students will put off the confusing math assignment or boring social studies paper until the end, when energy is low and time is limited. This works against logic since we need more focus for the things we understand least.

8. Don't underestimate attitude. Telling yourself you can't do it, that life is unfair or that your teacher is horrible really won't help you learn. Taking responsibility for your learning adopting new strategies when old ones fail, and having the courage to ask for help when it's needed are the habits that form the basis of lifelong good study habits.