Prepping for a successful second quarter: study tips

With midterms and finals approaching by the day, it’s becoming more urgent to practice and learn study skills. Many students find it useful to study in advance, organize their notes, or create a study guide for each lesson. Some use flashcards to organize their terms and formulas; others write sentences or formulas over and over to memorize them. If one forgets what the homework is and when things are due, a planner or merely a planner app will help keep students organized . For the overall student who studies: try to understand the concepts, instead of memorizing steps, and if you don’t quite get the idea, meet with your teachers, who are usually more than willing to help. Listening to music that calms you, like classical music or instrumental songs, may be helpful in focusing your attention. If you prefer lyrical music or music of a different genre, limit yourself to songs you don’t know the lyrics to, so you’re not tempted to focus on the song instead of your work. Shutting off your WiFi when you don’t need it is also beneficial, since that prevents social networking sites and entertainment sites like Netflix from distracting you. Removing your phone from the vicinity doesn’t hurt either. Also, try to manage your time wisely; don’t leave all of your homework and studying to the last minute for late-night cramming. It won’t help you nearly as much as giving yourself time to study during the day. Lastly, utilize your free period(s) at school, even if you have to isolate yourself for part of the period. It’s surprising how much work you can get done without distractions. Essentially, distinguish the cause of interference in your studies and attempt to remove it from the situation. Good luck on your tests!