Many students struggle with finding effective ways to study before a test, and they may not even end up studying at all. However, it is important that as high school students, we start building good habits now and determine what works and does not work for us.
To begin, it is crucial that you give yourself enough time to study before a test. Studying the night before is not a reasonable choice and will make it much more challenging to learn all of the material. Instead, start studying at least two to three days before a quiz and four to five days before a test. Your brain recalls information better if you have more frequent, shorter sessions of studying, as opposed to trying to spend hours the night before ¨cramming¨.
Next, when trying to memorize information, making flashcards is one of the best ways to effectively study. This strategy is the most beneficial for history or science classes where you are required to learn large amounts of vocabulary. The act of actively writing out the terms and definitions will help your brain retain more information. Furthermore, whenever you practice the flashcards, you are refreshing yourself on the information.
In addition, try writing notes on the material that will be on your assessment. This method is useful for any subject. When you write down the information in your own words rather than copying, you are forced to actually understand the topics and processes what you need to learn.
If you need to study for any type of math class, practicing is going to be key. Simply looking over the posted notes is not an effective strategy. Try practicing problems from a review guide or Delta Math until you feel comfortable with how to solve those problems.
Additionally, whenever you are confused on a subject, try watching videos from a reliable source to help. Sometimes it is easier for your brain to comprehend information if it is heard rather than read. For example, Heimler’s History on Youtube for AP Government are great sources! However, looking at other sources for help does NOT mean that you should resort to AI for questions you may have. AI can often be unreliable and give you false information.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask your teacher for help or clarification. If you do not understand a topic, you can email your teacher or ask them questions during class. You can also meet with them during academic time if you need them to help you work through a problem or explain a question. Using tutoring services are also an option. LCPS provides free access to online learning resources on the Varsity Tutors platform.
Do not let a challenging topic or big test intimidate you. Put these strategies to the test and ace your next assessment!
