TOP 3 TIPS:
1) Study in short spurts (no longer than 1 hour)
2) Take breaks to exercise / go outside
3) Drink water and eat "brain food"
1) Study in short spurts (no longer than 1 hour)
2) Take breaks to exercise / go outside
3) Drink water and eat "brain food"
BE ORGANIZED
- Use a calendar or agenda from the beginning of your semester (include due dates, test dates, and your personal schedule of activities)
- Schedule studying time (pencil in an hour a few times a week, when you know you have time -- not more than an hour at a time!)
- Keep all your notes and assignments organized in your binders (don't be wasting your study time trying to find your work!)
- Go to all your classes (if you miss one - ask your teacher or a friend for notes!)
BE DISTRACTION - FREE
- Study somewhere comfortable and quiet
- Remove distractions (TV, music, other people, cell phone, etc.)
- Have a water bottle and snack with you, so hunger and thirst don't get in the way!
- STAY OFF THE INTERNET (if you are using a computer to study or have a phone nearby set a time for 20-40 mins and do not let yourself on the internet until the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, set 5 minutes for an internet / cell phone break - when those five minutes are done, repeat the study timer!)
If you have trouble doing this, there are many internet blocker apps which you can use to lock yourself out of sites that distract you. Simply type in the name of distracting sites (Facebook / Instagram / TSN, etc) and set a timer, and the app will lock you out of these sites for the set amount of time. Here are a few options for blocking yourself (links are clickable):
selfcontrolapp.com/ (for Macs)
getcoldturkey.com/ (for Windows)
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/stayfocusd/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahlfoji/reviews?hl=en (Google Chrome Extension)
- Remove distractions (TV, music, other people, cell phone, etc.)
- Have a water bottle and snack with you, so hunger and thirst don't get in the way!
- STAY OFF THE INTERNET (if you are using a computer to study or have a phone nearby set a time for 20-40 mins and do not let yourself on the internet until the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, set 5 minutes for an internet / cell phone break - when those five minutes are done, repeat the study timer!)
If you have trouble doing this, there are many internet blocker apps which you can use to lock yourself out of sites that distract you. Simply type in the name of distracting sites (Facebook / Instagram / TSN, etc) and set a timer, and the app will lock you out of these sites for the set amount of time. Here are a few options for blocking yourself (links are clickable):
selfcontrolapp.com/ (for Macs)
getcoldturkey.com/ (for Windows)
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/stayfocusd/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahlfoji/reviews?hl=en (Google Chrome Extension)
FIND YOUR FAVORITE STUDY STRATEGIES
Here are a few examples:
- Re-write your notes as "Cheat Sheets" (AKA: Visual / Graphic Notes). Pick 3-6 topics/themes for what you are studying and make a 1-page "Cheat Sheet" for each. This involves organizing your notes so each lesson fits into one of the themes (color code your topics - each sheet can be a fun color!) Then create point form notes / doodles / webs / diagrams all over that one page for the topic. If you have a horrible memory, write these "Cheat Sheets" and then try and re-write them by memory! Again and again and again and again and again.
Below is an example:
- Re-write your notes as "Cheat Sheets" (AKA: Visual / Graphic Notes). Pick 3-6 topics/themes for what you are studying and make a 1-page "Cheat Sheet" for each. This involves organizing your notes so each lesson fits into one of the themes (color code your topics - each sheet can be a fun color!) Then create point form notes / doodles / webs / diagrams all over that one page for the topic. If you have a horrible memory, write these "Cheat Sheets" and then try and re-write them by memory! Again and again and again and again and again.
Below is an example:
- Make your own test / quiz / exam. You have been in the classes, so YOU should know what will be on the test! Create a test or quiz for yourself while you look at your notes, and then DO IT!
Alternate options:
- look online for tests and quizzes! Just simple Google what Unit you are studying (ie: Search "math exponents practice test". Print them off or do them online -- there are tons for every topic and subject.
- trade tests with a friend! Make a test with your notes and have a friend do the same -- trade tests and have each other mark them after.
Here are a few websites which have lots of online quizzes for any subject (links are clickable):
https://quizlet.com/ (tons of different quizzes to do online!)
https://www.khanacademy.org (tons of lessons and practice questions and videos!)
https://create.kahoot.it/login (have you played kahoot in class? You can login and make your own, or search and play others!)
Alternate options:
- look online for tests and quizzes! Just simple Google what Unit you are studying (ie: Search "math exponents practice test". Print them off or do them online -- there are tons for every topic and subject.
- trade tests with a friend! Make a test with your notes and have a friend do the same -- trade tests and have each other mark them after.
Here are a few websites which have lots of online quizzes for any subject (links are clickable):
https://quizlet.com/ (tons of different quizzes to do online!)
https://www.khanacademy.org (tons of lessons and practice questions and videos!)
https://create.kahoot.it/login (have you played kahoot in class? You can login and make your own, or search and play others!)
- Make checklists! If you are unsure what your test or quiz is on ... studying is going to be very difficult! The most simple way to know for sure what to study is to ASK YOUR TEACHER (ask your teacher for a little point form list!)
Another way to make a checklist (and know what you are supposed to focus on) is to look online at the Manitoba Curriculum (this is a list of everything you are supposed to learn in your course -- and it is free and public for anyone to look at).
Look at your curriculum by searching the course online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/
After making a checklist of what you need to know, check each item off ONLY when you can explain the concept out loud to someone. Keep your explanations simple and clear! Ask a family member / friend / teacher to be someone who you can explain each concept out loud to.
Another way to make a checklist (and know what you are supposed to focus on) is to look online at the Manitoba Curriculum (this is a list of everything you are supposed to learn in your course -- and it is free and public for anyone to look at).
Look at your curriculum by searching the course online at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/
After making a checklist of what you need to know, check each item off ONLY when you can explain the concept out loud to someone. Keep your explanations simple and clear! Ask a family member / friend / teacher to be someone who you can explain each concept out loud to.
- Make CUE-CARDS! A great way to test yourself is to get cue-cards (or make them by cutting pieces of paper) and write questions on one side, and the answers on the back. Shuffle them up and test how many you can answer without looking at the back. Carry them around and test yourself on a few whenever you have a spare moment.
- Synthesize your notes! Look through your notes and textbook to outline what the most important points of the unit are. Make sure to highlight key words (these are usually already bold or emphasized somehow in your textbooks) and re-write a definition in your own words.
- Synthesize your notes! Look through your notes and textbook to outline what the most important points of the unit are. Make sure to highlight key words (these are usually already bold or emphasized somehow in your textbooks) and re-write a definition in your own words.