Studying with Sabrina Stevanovic B.A., M.S.

Studying may seem like a daunting task, especially in a subject that you don’t find enjoyable. Studying can feel even more daunting when you don’t have the necessary tools and understanding of howwhen and what to study. Not all teachers provide study guides that will resemble the test, so having a toolkit of various study strategies is important to feel more prepared to do your best.

One strategy is planning your study time accordingly. It is important to space out your study sessions and study in increments.  Studying for a big test does not need to be done in one sitting. In fact, spreading it out over the course of a few days will help you find more opportunities to stay focused. By planning accordingly and spreading out your studying, students can find more success and feel more engaged during their study sessions.

Depending on the subject area and personal preferences, study strategies will vary. However, finding the strategy that works for you and the subject is key. It is important for students to understand their learning strengths and use this to their advantage when planning out their study tactics.

For students that enjoy movement and find themselves doodling in class, creating flashcards or online quizlets may be a beneficial strategy. The process of creating the flashcards is a form of studying by re-writing the information. Then reviewing these flashcards is another component of the study process. While it may seem like extra work to create these materials, remind yourself that the creation of the materials is also part of the study process.

For students that see their language skills as their strength, they could spend time talking through the information. Studying with a parent, friend or pet and talking through the information may help information stick. If all these options are unavailable, students can record videos or voice-recordings of themselves and listen back for key understandings.

Studying for a test doesn’t always have to be done the same way each time;  however, knowing your strengths and preferences can be beneficial to aid you in the studying process.