Study Tips

No one can get an A on a test about something you don't know without studying. So if you really want to get an "A", you had better be ready to think, eat, sleep whatever it is you have your test on. For example, if it is a science test on - let's say Changes of Earth's Surface - you need to be well prepared. THINKING you know the information is not enough!!  You have to study regardless of how well you THINK you know the information.
  • Know what you're being tested on. Take all the mini assignments (worksheets, study notes in your notebook.) from the class your studying for and have them all at hand. We have your sheets all in a folder and in notebooks which means you're already ahead.
  • Look over everything, trying to think about what might be on the test. Put stars or a mark on that information. 
  • Make a study sheet on the computer. But don't waste all your time making a worksheet. It should only take 5 minutes.
  • Type up the questions and write the answers underneath them. You might also want to research your topic. If you'd like to use this information, the best thing to do is to print it. Once you've printed it, highlight and take notes of what you've collected that might be on the test. Don't write in complete sentences, as it is too time consuming and makes it harder to memorize.
  • Revise, summarise, review. You can either study this information, or sum it up by typing a report that includes everything that you think with be on the test.
  • Study in the best place for you. This may be, a quiet place where you know you won't be distracted.
  • Study these questions over and over again until you are sure you know them perfectly, so perfectly that you even remember the questions.
  • Quiz yourself inside your head, going over the questions and answers over and over. Do this step as many times before the test as you can to help make it stick.
  • Make up a song or story that is going to get stuck in your head about the information. Its an easy way to know the information!
  • Find a method that works for you and don't let others distract or tease you over that. If that means listening to your study notes on your ipod or using goofy flash cards don't worry. You will do better on the test!
  • Start studying early and often, then you won't be in a hurry and you will be prepared for a pop quiz.  DO NOT wait for the night before to start studying - no matter what it does not help your score.
  • Go to a quiet, nice, relaxing place to study. While it may be pleasant to have some music playing in the background, make sure the study session doesn't become, an excuse to simply listen to music. DO NOT study in front of the TV. 
  • Make study notes from the notes you made in class. Don't just copy them. Highlight the key facts.
  • Write down facts and important things on flash cards to carry around with you in case you have a couple minutes to go through them.
  • Remember: SQ3R:
  • S urvey: Scan your book for the most important things (They may be in bold, italics, or something else that makes it stand out)
  • Q uestion: Make practice questions and DO NOT write the answers
  • R ead: Skim your material or read it actively
  • R ecite: Answer your questions you have previously written down (Hint: Talk out loud!)
  • R eview: Review this process until you have it down
  • If you have a sibling, friend or parent that would like to help, ask them to make a sheet for your or just ask you questions. You'd be surprised at how well you learn it when someone is asking you questions.
  • Review your vocabulary
Tips
  • If you have time in sessions because you're done with the subject then go over it to make sure you understand the information .
  • If you want, you can give the study sheet to other people to quiz you with.
  • Try putting on some classical music while you study.
  • Start a study group with other people that need help and maybe a few people that are really good at test taking. This can help make it a little more fun.
  • To make it even more fun, make games out of the material and have a competition between you and your friends. For example, play Jeopardy or Who Wants to be a Millionaire with some of those hard questions.
  • A really good way to study vocabulary can be to quiz yourself using flashcards YOU made. Writing reinforces the information three times as well as reading it alone.
  • It also helps to review these terms right before you go to bed
  • Record the information you don't know well on a tape player, and then play it over and over again, so that it is stuck in you're mind.
  • After 30 - 45 minutes, take a 5 minute break to relax and settle down.
  • If you are somebody who remembers stuff from movies, songs, etc. then put the things you need to study into the tune of your favorite song. If you are studying something like history then turn it into a puppet show, film it, then watch it over and over again (and also make the puppets funny looking).
  • Switch off the TV. It distracts you easily.