Study Tips

Madi Gibson, MVC Writer

Many Students struggle with the obstacle of test taking. Tests can either make or break a grade and affect people in many ways. Some students are not strong test takers and wrestle with the memorization or complete understanding of the material when the test comes around. Some need that extra push to excel. Bad test scores bring down confidence and raise stress levels. 

According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, “respondents reported stress levels far above what they view as healthy, and on average, teens’ reported stress levels were higher than adults’ reported stress levels.” This survey was taken on students’ response to test stress. 

 This test stress is not healthy for students, especially those who are young. To avoid that predicament, there are certains ways or methods of studying for these tests. 

Studying is not just memorizing the night prior. It is the absorbing of information scattered among days of review. A good way to start is to schedule study times each evening. Make time in the evening to review topics, usually 20 minutes a night will suffice. Reviewing notes and skimming books will not help someone achieve anything. Creating flashcards or questions can help test the brain more clearly. Doing this with others is a good way to receive feedback from another’s perspective. 

Another tip for studying is to mix up the information. Do not review the material over and over again in the same sequence. Start from the top of the review and work towards the bottom. Then the next day or night, start from the bottom and work towards the top. It improves the brain’s function of retaining information. Using pictures or visual examples with flash cards is one more process to take while studying. Some students are visual learners and do better with a physical picture in front of them. Finding examples to go with pictures and vice versa is extremely useful in understanding material in different forms. 

The most important thing to remember while studying is when you make a plan, stick to it. Dig deeper in education and put effort into success. Most students go through the same struggles, so help each other go through the same triumphs to achieve goals: better study habits and better greatness.