At Maggie Walker, a new school year tends to mean many strenuous quizzes and tests within the first few weeks. So, as the workload picks up, it is always good to take time to reevaluate and focus on studying habits!

Before even starting a study session, it is important to remove any distractions that may provide temptation while working. Unfortunately, this includes phones. Even simply having your phone sitting on your desk can cause distraction, encouraging you to check social media, text friends, or watch a show. Instead, placing your phone across the room– or in another room entirely– will make it less likely for you to want to use it. It can also be very helpful to have a set space for studying. A clean, organized space, without distractions will allow you to focus on your work, instead of the things around you.

Studying with other people can similarly be incredibly beneficial, especially peers who prioritize their education, and genuinely want to guide you to be successful in school. Group study sessions can also help with memorization, as you are more likely to remember words being said to you, instead of flashcards you review on your own. Studying with peers gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have when studying, as well.

When studying, prioritizing your work is a key step. Planning what you study first based on due date, as well as difficulty level, will allow you to focus on the most important topics for a sufficient amount of time. This will allow you to be much more successful compared to procrastinating on your difficult subject areas and working on easier assignments first. When you are given the announcement of a test or quiz, it is advised to start studying at least a week in advance. Begin by focusing on the basics of the unit, and as the week goes on, study more in-depth information. Taking thirty minutes to study a day will allow you to fully understand the material in the week leading up to the test. For the two nights before the test, it may even be helpful to study for a longer period of time to briefly review topics you studied from days before. Reviewing for a test or quiz in advance will also give you the opportunity to ask your teacher any questions you may have along the way, as opposed to the morning of your assessment.

Different subjects need to be studied in different ways, and it can vary from person to person. Typically, STEM subjects, including calculus and chemistry, should be studied through practice problems. Repetition helps to go over and review information, and applying the processes with practicing will allow you to have a better understanding of the material. For history classes, especially at Maggie Walker, focusing on memorization, as well as answering questions on the topic using active recall, will help to keep the subject matter organized and correct in your head. Language classes can be difficult to study for at times, but repetition, practice, and consuming media in the language will ensure understanding of both the language and the culture.

Studying can be a difficult task at times, but by avoiding distractions, working with others, and learning in ways that work best for you, you will find great success!