How to Study: Ten Tips for Study Skills Success

From flashcards to mnemonic devices, there are a myriad of strategies to choose from to prepare for quizzes, tests, midterms, final exams, and even standardized tests. Unfortunately, despite being just as important as time in class and homework, study skills and strategies are seldom part of what a student learns in school. Whether you’re the parent of a student who struggles with studying or a student who has been able to excel academically without mastering study skills that will come in handy in college, it’s never too late to develop the executive function skills associated with effective studying. To learn how to study, read on to discover our ten tips for study skills success.

1. Plan ahead. Cramming for a quiz at the last minute or spending too much time reviewing material that is unlikely to show up on a test is a recipe for disaster. As soon as a test date is announced, don’t just put it on your calendar; think about how much time you’ll need to study and select at least two dates before the test to prepare: one to organize notes and prepare study tools and at least one other date to actually study. Start each study session with a written agenda that spells out not only the study topics you’ll be covering, but also the specific strategies (and materials) you will be using.
2. Prioritize. Study more efficiently by focusing on material that is most likely to be tested and/or content that you’ve been having a hard time with in class. Review any study guides your teacher provides to identify both what topics or skills will be on the test and how that content will be tested (e.g. multiple choice, essay, matching, etc.). Consider using highlighters or colored pens to categorize topics as easy, medium, or hard, so you know which areas to focus on the most.
3. Take notes. Before test day arrives, you can make studying a lot easier if you take good notes and organize them along the way. Good note-takers go beyond filling out missing information on lesson notes created by a teacher or copying down steps to a math problem verbatim; they summarize information in their own words, note strategies to facilitate recall later like mnemonic devices, and jot down any questions.
4. Rewrite your notes. On one of the first days you set aside to study, compile your notes and rewrite them in a way that streamlines information (e.g. put content in your own words, reformat content into charts or diagrams, sort information into categories, etc.), focusing on key terms, formulas, examples, and anything else that your teacher emphasized or you spent more time on in class compared to other topics. This process of rewriting will make it easier to retain and recall information.
5. Complete your study guide and use it. Most teachers will provide a study guide before a test or mention a few key topics to study before a quiz. Not all study guides are the same: some might be a list of key terms and a list of possible essay questions while others might be a worksheet to fill out. Whichever form your study guide takes, make sure you complete it and review it. Use your study guide to create flashcards and a one-page cheat sheet that features its highlights, guaranteeing you always have something to pull out and study when you find yourself with some spare time that could be put to good use or even seconds before a test starts.
6. Visualize information. Help your brain make connections and absorb information by creating visual representations of test content. Mind maps are perfect for breaking down concepts into smaller parts and Venn diagrams work well for comparing and contrasting, for example. Color code notes, study guides, flashcards, and more to categorize information, sort what you know and don’t know, or rank information from important to least important. You can even create drawings or doodles that capture information in an engaging and memorable way (e.g. a caricature of a historical figure).
7. Flashcards and Post-Its. Flashcards are synonymous with studying because they are one of the most effective ways to promote active recall—encoding information in your long-term memory to more easily retrieve it later. They also are cheap to make and easy to transport, especially if you use an app like Quizlet. The only downside is that memorization isn’t really learning. For that reason, take your flashcards to the next level and consider using Post-Its instead. Turn any flat surface into a multifunction study space: different color Post-Its can represent different categories or concepts, which can be arranged and rearranged to practice everything from organizing an essay to recalling the steps to biological process. Since spaced and repetitive practice improves recall, review any flashcards several times on at least two different days.
8. Talk about it. If you learn and remember information better if you say it or hear it, talk it out. Use a voice recording app to record yourself explaining key concepts and skills, then play back the recording to assess your recall. Study in pairs or groups. A friend or a fellow classmate can explain something you don’t understand or suggest the perfect mnemonic device. On the other hand, teaching something yourself activates the protégé effect: helping someone to learn, helps you learn too!
9. Test yourself. After reviewing your notes, flashcards, and study guide, set aside at least one study session to complete practice questions or rehearse any other skill you will have to perform on test day. Often textbooks will have review questions you can complete, but you can always search for sample questions online, ask your teacher for extra problems, or make your own using old tests, quizzes, and homework. Test yourself at least twice: once to get a sense of how well you have prepared so far and a second time after you have reviewed any material you struggled with the first time.
10. Reflect. After taking a test, it’s important to review what worked and what didn’t. You don’t want to waste time in the future using a study method that didn’t make a difference. 

How A+ Can Help

Although our ten tips for studying success can get you started on your way to less stressful and more rewarding study time, sometimes it helps to have someone who can model study skills and hold you accountable for using them. At A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, whether you choose subject tutoring or Executive Function Coaching, our tutors offer a personalized approach that identifies a student’s strengths and weaknesses, helps set manageable goals, and provides the tools and support to achieve them. 

At A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, our practices are based on the latest developments in educational theory and research. We have an excellent team of tutors who can help you with standardized testing, executive functioning, or achievement in any other school subject. If you want to find out more about our services, contact us here.