Studying is one of the most crucial aspects of academic success, as it helps students retain material for exams and assignments. However, many students are not studying effectively. Proper study habits can make a world of difference compared to last-minute cramming the night before a test.
“There’s a direct correlation between taking notes and remembering things,” SAT Prep teacher Joanne Booe said. “I think it’s really important for students to take notes as they’re reading or as they’re listening in class or as they’re studying material just because it will help them remember the material better.”
Creating a study plan is another vital strategy.
“If you go into it without having a plan it may not be successful,” Booe said. “But if you go into it knowing ‘I need to follow this type of protocol and I need to have this kind of timeline,’ then it’s gonna be more productive.”
One way to implement this plan is by creating a study schedule. This approach helps manage time effectively and prevents students from being overwhelmed before a test.
Additionally, studying in a calm environment is essential for productivity.
“If you are watching TV and studying at the same time you are totally gonna be distracted,” Booe said. “Or if you’re watching YouTube, or if you’re listening to something other than some music, you’re gonna just be distracted. You need to be quiet, you need to be focused, you need to have everything in front of you that you need so you don’t get distracted.”
Research supports that studying consistently over a long period of time is much more effective and conducive to learning than cramming. According to the American Psychological Association, “spacing out study sessions over a longer period of time improves long-term memory. In other words, if you have 12 hours to spend on a subject, it’s better to study it for three hours each week for four weeks than to cram all 12 hours into week four.”
To implement these strategies effectively, students must also cultivate motivation.
“I had some students in my class last year who were the ones that were always paying attention in class and always answering the questions in class, and they did fantastically on the SAT,” Booe said. “I don’t know necessarily that has anything to do with me because they were just one of those driven students.”
