Study Techniques

Written by Kaley Haskew

Edited by Molly Hewitt

Split studying into smaller periods of time: Having breaks in between studying can help you learn easier and retain more information. You can study in 15-20 minute segments to better focus your mind on one subject. Then take a break or have a snack, whatever works for you. This way you can go at your own pace and do not have the stress of cramming or feeling like you are always trying to catch up on the material.

Make a schedule and stick to it: Your mind gets used to fixed habits. Just like other activities, whether sports, fitness, or hobbies, the more you keep to your schedule, the more your mind will get used to building that mental concentration you need. If you set aside 30-60 minutes a day for studying, you will find it is easier than just cramming the night before.

Do not study in bed: This is your place to rest your mind; stydying here can lead to insomnia or anxiety. You want to stay alert while studying, not doze off. It’s better to stick to a table, desk or even your favorite chair while

To see what study techniques are used by seniors at Warwick Valley High School, I interviewed Faith Kelley and Melissa Negron. Faith’s overall favorite was using flashcards and Melissa’s was creating quizlets to quiz herself before tests. Faith stated, “I make my own flashcards before every test, and I write down mnemonic devices to help me remember the facts.” According to “Do Flashcards Work for College Students?” an article published by Herzing College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there is science behind the use of flashcards. Flashcards have been proven to increase memorization for school and even everyday life: “Flashcards are effective because they promote active recall in your brain, which is the process by which we retrieve a memory.”

Whether you recall better by writing the material or reading it, using flashcards to study alone or getting quizzed by others, no study habit is wrong.