By Jaiden Lagalo-Blinston
With the school year coming to an end in just a
few months, students in high school will be rushing in to school (or out of
school) to take their final exams. We all know that feeling before a test in
which we try to scramble all the information into our memory at once. It’s
important that students try their absolute best, but this can lead to a lot of
stress and can affect test scores. Throughout the past couple years I have
found out about some helpful study tips from my teachers and online that have
personally helped me survive.
Here are 4 helpful studying tips:
Exercise. Yes…. I know… it’s terrible, but according to Research conducted by Dr. Chuck Hillman of the University of Illinois “20 minutes exercise before an exam can improve performance”. I don’t understand how this works but I tried this when I was in 8th grade studying for my Honors Earth and Space Science tests and oddly enough I felt better and less stressed, which brought my grades up significantly.
- SPEAK OUT LOUD! IT’S CRAZY BUT IT WORKS. When you repeat a definition or formula out loud you are more likely to remember and apply it to the test or exam you are taking. When saying it out loud, your mind can create little tips or rhymes that can help you in the long run. For example, I remember when I was in 2nd grade and I needed to know my times table and for some reason I had a very hard time with it. My mother always told me to try to make a song or a rhyme to help me, so I used “6 when on a date with 8 and came back with 48”. Looking back on it now, it’s a little corny but it got me that A.
- Listen to some music by Mozart. My science teacher last year told our class that if it helps you to listen to music while studying then do it, but listen to classical music. But it doesn’t have to be just classical music, it can be any type of music that you are not used to. So instead of getting a song that you know stuck in your head, you’ll get the dates on your history quiz right. I did a science project in elementary school where I did math problems and read a book while listening to classical and rock music, and I found that I worked better when listening to classical music.
- Study! Study! Study! I know how annoying studying can be and trust me with things like social media and just plain procrastination, it can be hard. So with simple study tips like making flash cards, writing notes and having a study session with your teacher or friends can be very beneficial.
In the past, I have struggled a lot personally with trying to figure a method that best works for me. I feel like teens are pressured so much in school, especially because exams and standardized state tests are around the same time of year. I know how it feels to come home completely burnt out and having about two hours of homework and on top having extracurriculars. Everyone in high school is doing great, as long as you try your best and study! So whether you use the stereotypical “chew a piece mint gum while you study and chew the same flavor on the test” trick or just standard flash cards, just know that teens may not always recognize or realize that the hard work you put in now will help you in the long run. And TRUST me, no one expects you to get a A on every test, exam, quiz or whatever silly assignment your school gives you. Believe in yourself and you will get through it.