With spring approaching, so are the inevitable Standards of Learning exams. Whether it’s math or english, these study hacks are sure to help you with your upcoming exams.
- Study groups
Most people don’t consider studying a fun task. In fact most consider it tedious and time consuming. However, studying in a group of peers has been proven to be an effective study method. According to Joyce University of Nursing and Health Science, studying in groups provides students the opportunity to get information from an outside source, thus increasing the intake of information. “Being in a study group has been beneficial in my experience due to heightened morale and a more friendly environment around studying,” said Jayden Nguyen (11).
- Color coded notes
Note Taking doesn’t always have to be black and white. In fact, adding color to your notes is encouraged. According to Moorpark College, adding color to your notes increases connections between topics. Adding a colorful touch to your notes also accentuates information or key terms that are important to remember. “Taking color coded notes has helped me do well on my tests! I’m able to retain information and pick out key information. It also makes my notes look aesthetically pleasing,” said Gabriella Henriquez (10).
- Review before bed
SOL season means cramming study sessions in at any time of day. While making the most of your time and studying at every possible opportunity is great, studies have shown that studying before bed retains information more effectively than studying during the day. According to Notre Dame psychologist Jessica Payne and her colleagues, studying before bed is beneficial to retaining information in your memory.
- Test yourself
Why would anyone like to take an additional test before the big, real one? The truth is that testing yourself before taking the real thing has proven to be an effective study method. According to the American Physiological Association, testing yourself before the real deal helps students remember the material for the final exam. “I’ve found that practice tests really help me get a grasp of the material and prepare me for the overall environment,” said Anjali Modak (10).
- Spaced practice
While cramming can be tempting, studies have shown that distributed or spaced practice is a great study method for conserving information long term. According to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Psychology Department, studying for 1 or 2 hours every other day for example, rather than cramming a lesson into a long study session has been proven to allow students to intake more information and retain it for a longer period of time.
- Take breaks
Going hand-in-hand with the previous method, taking breaks between study sessions has a great effect on learning and retaining information. According to Cornell University, research shows that taking “purposeful breaks” in between study sessions can increase students’ energy, productivity and focus. By not wearing yourself down, you are more likely to be successful during the exam.
- Get rest
Last but certainly not least, getting rest is a major factor in retaining information before a big final exam. While pulling an all nighter in order to get that last bit of information in can sound like a great idea, in hindsight, it is one of the worst things for your brain before a significant exam. According to the Sleep Foundation, not getting a good night’s sleep before an important exam can lead to a bad impact on your “memory, creativity and logical reasoning.” When not fully rested, the brain can have a hard time focusing and committing information to memory thus leading to a bad performance on that momentous exam.
