Study Skills and Strategies for High School Students

Study Skills and Strategies for High School Students

Discover your learning style and refine your study habits.

Does studying seem to take you forever, and you still don't get it? Don't worry—many people feel that way. People aren't born with effective study skills. Most likely, you just aren't studying effectively, but that can be easily fixed. Adults and children alike see their grades suffer because they simply don't know the right way to study. But this can change by gaining the skills to study effectively and absorb information quickly.

It's important to develop strong study habits in high school so that you can be prepared for any continuing education or training after you graduate. Here are a few tips to make sure you're on the right track.

Figure out your learning style. Everyone learns differently. The best way to improve your study skills is to first figure out how you learn. Here are the different learning styles:

• If you can remember things better by listening to someone else explain them, or feel like you can get more accomplished with soft music or background noise when you study, you are most likely an auditory learner. Try tape-recording class lectures or discussions to play them back later when you sit down to study.
• If you need to see things written out or prefer reading your textbook to understand the material, you are probably more of a visual learner. Take notes during class so you can read them later. Try to fit your material into graphic organizers or draw pictures to help you remember.
• Are hands-on projects how you learn best? You might be a tactile/kinesthetic learner. Role-playing, recreating projects or scenes, and lots of movement (like pacing) could help you study more effectively.

Learn time management skills. Organization is key to improving study skills and strategies. Set out a plan before you begin and stick to it. Set aside blocks of time when you know you can commit. Making it easy to do will motivate you! It will not only help you accomplish your goals, but it will also keep you on track time-wise.

Study in short bursts. There is nothing worse than burnout when you are trying to study. Don't try to do a marathon session, as you will not be able to remember everything all at once. Take breaks between chapters or subjects to give your brain a rest.

Block out distractions. A few good study tips include turning off your phone, shutting off your IM program and the TV, and closing your door. Nothing will derail your studying as quickly as interruptions. If you really want to be successful, you need to focus, so set up your environment for success. Settle somewhere comfortable. The best place is your room. Designate a small part of it with pillows, a comfortable chair, and a radio for the best results.

Cramming is not the answer! One of the most important high school study skills is not to procrastinate. Don't put off studying for a test until the last minute. Most teachers give you plenty of advance warning before an upcoming test. Study small sections at a time over several days, and you will remember more. Then you can review everything right before the test if necessary. You might be surprised at how much you actually remembered.

Read it again. The saying “practice makes perfect” is entirely true. Reading the same text multiple times will help you remember it. If you take time to read a portion of your textbook before and after class, you will absorb the information faster.

Do the hard stuff first. The most complicated material should be at the top of your list. Create index cards to remember terms, formulas, and other repetitive information.

Homework is important. The teacher does not give out homework just to annoy you! These tasks are designed to help you learn the material in the lesson. Successfully completing these assignments will help you pass the tests.

Take good notes. The best place to learn and study is in the classroom. Taking good notes on the material taught in school will help you later with in-class assignments, homework, and tests. Follow these steps to take notes that will boost your ability to retain the topics covered in class.

• Do not write everything down. Classroom discussion can jump around between the teacher and students, so only write down important information. This includes names of important people, dates, geographic locations, formulas, steps to solve problems, etc.
• Write in shorthand. Writing entire sentences takes time and may cause you to miss important information. Write short words or phrases, not complete sentences. This does not apply to quotes from important people. Be sure to write the quote in full, with quotation marks, as well as the person who spoke the words.
• Write in an organized manner. When you take notes, be deliberate about the words you write down. Use a new line for each point and make an outline using numbers and letters. This will allow you to easily read what you have written, creating a neat and concise study guide.
• Use a notebook when taking notes in class. Use a different notebook for each class.
• Review your work. After class, review the notes you took. You can add dates, people, and information you may have missed in class. This will also give you a chance to add any additional words or phrases to help you later.
• Use your notes. Take out your notes when completing assignments, homework, and studying for tests. Some teachers will also allow you to use notes when taking tests.

Take your time, make a plan, and stick with it. The key to improving study strategies and skills is to study smart, not hard. Don't procrastinate and don't get distracted. Now that you know how to study, you'll be acing the test sooner than you think!