Here are tips and tricks to help your student prepare.
How to Study for Exams:
- Select a regular place to study at home and at school.
This tells your mind that "when I sit here, it's time to focus."
If it's helpful, create a recurring routine at home to help you focus, for example: perhaps chew some gum, or drink a cup of hot tea (add sugar and milk for extra flavor) or listen to focusing tunes to help you focus (try Mozart classical music or search for study music on your favorite music streaming app to find what you like).
- Review past tests/quizzes. This will highlight what your teacher says is important to know. Your teacher may also have already created a study guide in your Google Classroom.
Here are a few ways to practice learning and remembering concepts:
- It may be helpful to mark up past quiz or unit test questions in three ways: as #1 - I totally know this question, #2 - kind of know it and #3 don't know it.
- Use the free Quizlet app to create digital flashcards for #2 (kind of know) and #3 (don't know) or cut paper into squares and use a pencil to make your own. On one side is the topic and the back are brief keywords to trigger your memory.
- Try creating a memory hook or a little story for hard to remember topics. For example, a short song that helps you remember a definition or fact.
- Pretend you’re a teacher and talk out loud to your “pretend student” as you explain concepts.
- If you like to doodle or draw, draw the concept and turn that into a flashcard.
Here are a few ways to ask for help:
First, if you do not understand a specific part of the material, that's okay.
It may be helpful to know, people generally love sharing advice and what they have figured out so don’t hesitate to ask.
Ask your teacher or fellow student to review what you do not understand with you in class, right after school before practice or club meetings start, or during one of your free periods or lunch period.
Alternatively, search online or in your Google Classroom for brief recaps of the section you do not understand. KhanAcademy.com is always free.
Ask a fellow student who is doing well in class how they study for more ideas. Every person has their own way of studying that works for them and people like to share what works for them.
Search your favorite social media platform for study tips.
When to Study for Exams
- Create a recurring study schedule - for example, Monday - Friday, 25 minutes every day after school, followed by a 5 minute break. Repeat once or twice per study session.
- If you are in afterschool activities, plan ahead for when you may not be able to study because you have games, practices, work or meetings. A little each day, for a few weeks in a row works much better than trying to study hours the night before. Set a recurring reminder in your mobile phone for a regular time to study, if needed.
- If you have a free period or tutorial during the school day, create a study plan for those times too. You can ask a favorite teacher if you can study during your lunch time in their classroom.
- Look for little pockets of "zone out time" and turn it into "study time": For example, maybe you have a 30 minute bus ride each morning and afternoon that you typically listen to music or scroll TikTok. Consider turning one of the bus times into purposeful study time by using study flash cards or listening to an audio class reviewing the concept you will be tested on.
The Night Before
Get to bed early the night before your midterm, eat a good dinner to feel calm and grounded (a hearty sandwich works!), eat a filling breakfast in the morning or arrive early to school for a free school breakfast.
If you're a little nervous, try a low-stimulation TV show the night before to wind down (something calming, slower-paced and relaxing vs an exciting, compelling show that keeps you up at night) and set aside your phone an hour before bed to help you fall asleep.
Make sure your alarm is set for your exam time with plenty of time to arrive early to school so you do not feel rushed. If you need a ride, make sure you're aware of the bus schedule or plan ahead with family for a ride.
Additional Study Resources
- The Pember Library in Granville is available for a free, quiet place to study, has free Wi-Fi and is open until 5pm Tues - Friday and 10am - 1pm on Saturdays. The Wi-Fi is accessible from outside the building as well.
- Morning Homework Club with Mr. Hardin is available - 6:50 AM most school days. Just let him know you're coming by sending him a message whardin@granvillecsd.org or dropping by his classroom on the 2nd Floor.
- Review this study skills tips slide deck shared from Science Teacher, Mr. Walajtys (pronounced Mr. Wah-lie-tis). It has a brief recap of the very best study skills.
- Search “retrieval study skills” on your favorite social media or internet browser for ideas that work for you.
Final Words of Encouragement
Education opens doors for students and their families. Sure, it's normal to wonder if you really need science, writing, or math, especially if you or your student already know what they want to do and they can't see why they need these subjects for their future.
Help them understand that learning how to learn and learning basic subjects like math, science, reading and writing helps them learn how to use their mind, learn how to think and solve problems, understand the world and communicate well with others. All essential things for careers and job plans of any kind!
Good grades also opens doors to free money called grants and scholarships for vocational school and college by the time graduation arrives, which is a great opportunity.
If you/your student plans on attending BOCES in 11th and 12th grade (applications begin in 10th grade), please note that these trade programs are competitive and they have limited availability. Having good attendance, passing all classes so that you have room in your schedule in 11th and 12th grade for BOCES programs, and doing your best to prepare for exams will help increase the odds that they can access the program they want.
Let's Go Horde!
Have you found a great study app, trick or tip? Please share with krozell@granvillecsd.org and we’ll add this to this post.