How To Get An “A” in Studying

With some students being all virtual and others being hybrid, it can be easy to fall behind and forget to study for a test or quiz. It is much harder for students to motivate themselves at home because there is no teacher to push them. This is why the number of students failing classes is higher than normal. Here are some tips to help you study and to make studying more enjoyable.

Study with Friends
Studying with friends is a good way to get your work done while socializing. “Studying with friends keeps you motivated to actually complete the task at hand while also help ease the frustration school brings,” said sophomore Sereniti Carnes-Ivory. If you don’t understand a topic, a group of friends can be beneficial because you can discuss the topic among the group. After discussing the topic, you can most likely get a better understanding of the topic.

There are different in-person or online ways to study with friends during Covid. If you can get together with other students, you can meet up at a local coffee shop or an outdoor area while social distancing. Some virtual options are you can group facetime while studying or make a zoom call.

Listening to Music While Studying

Listening to music is proven to improve brain functions, so perhaps this is one of the most compelling reasons to listen to music while studying. “I listen to music when I study because it helps me become more focused,” said sophomore Reagan Kesterson. Music will not only improve your brain functions, but it can boost your overall mood. Its de-stressing factor is another reason to listen to music while studying.

There are many different genres of music, but some are more helpful while studying than others. Scientific studies show that classical music is the best genre of music to listen to while studying. This is because classical music integrates both sides of the brain for more efficient learning, and it also improves creativity and clarity. Music without lyrics is also good music to listen to while reading or writing. There are many different types of Instrumental music so take some time to find which type works best for you.

Study Somewhere Different
Location is a key element to studying and switching up your location every now and then is just as important. Studying somewhere different besides the usual desk or bed can change your whole studying game. Studying in your bedroom can reduce your focus because most people associate their bedroom with sleep and relaxation, so this may not be the best location to study. If you find that you don’t make much progress studying in your bed or at your desk or kitchen table, you should switch up your study spot.

Everyone’s perfect study location is different as some people like studying in less quiet areas like a coffee shop or outside while others prefer a more quiet area like a library or a classroom. You can recreate a noisy environment by using a white noise app to recreate this noisy environment. A recommended one is White Noise Lite. If you prefer a quieter environment, you could try studying outside if it is a nice day. Getting outside can improve your calmness and mental clarity, which would be beneficial when studying.

Stay Organized
Staying organized will make studying so much easier. Being organized will make studying more efficient as you won’t waste time searching for materials you may need. Keeping your class notes/information and assignments organized by subject is a great way to stay organized. Some people even color-code their notes and notebooks by subject. Another great way to stay organized is to use a planner. You can write down when your assignments are due to keep track of your work.

A great app to use for organization is Todoist. Todoist helps you stay on top of your task and it is completely free to use. On Todoist, you can plan your day out, keep track of your task, and even organize your projects. Todoist is available on every major platform including Android, iPhone, iPad, macOS, Windows, Android Wear, Apple Watch, browser extensions, and the web.

Another option is Google Keep. With Google Keep you can take notes and set reminders. Google Keep is completely free. A big part of staying organized is decluttering. At the end of every week, trash or recycle materials you do not need anymore. Be careful not to throw anything that might be helpful down the road, such as math notes or grammar rules. “I think staying organized is important because it creates a clear mindset for studying and helps you learn the material better,” said sophomore Peyton Marshall.

Use Quizlet or Cram.com
Quizlet is an app available on a wide variety of devices for free. You can make or find digital flashcards and even play games on the subject you are studying. Not only do students use Quizlet, but many teachers also use it too. It is helpful especially if you don’t like making flashcards and prefer doing everything on the computer. It is very easy to use and it saves you the time from making your own flashcards. You can go back and practice things as many times as you need to and it tells you what you need to study the most.

Another option that is very similar to Quizlet is Cram.com. Cram is a great way to study. You can find or create flashcards, and it is free. If you are studying with a group of friends you can make and share these flashcards with them. You can also print off the flashcard you find or make if you are tired of looking at the screen. Since the cram app is available on a phone, you can go mobile and study on the go if needed. The Cram app is available on Google Play and the App Store.

Khan Academy
Khan Academy was created by experts and is free for all learners. If you are unsure about a subject you are learning in class and need some extra help, there are instructional videos and practice exercises available on Khan Academy. It also has a personalized learning dashboard that allows you to study at your own pace. Khan Academy has iOS and Android apps, so you can study on just about any device.

As we approach the end of the school year, these study tips are a great way to help with final exam stress. Although none of these tips are as great as the push a teacher may give, they are still quite helpful. Hopefully these tips push you to study more efficiently and help you enjoy your time spent studying.