How to sharpen your study skills

According+to+USNews.com%2C+high+school+students+get+assigned+up+to+17.5+hours+of+homework+per+week.

Sejal Jannu

According to USNews.com, high school students get assigned up to 17.5 hours of homework per week.

Failing a test can put a huge strain on students, especially when trying to maintain a certain GPA.

That’s why making improvements in organizational skills and study habits are all a part of the high school experience.

According to USNews.com, high school students get assigned up to 17.5 hours of homework per week.

With all these hours of homework, how do students stay organized and still find time study?

“Starting super early for studying is crucial. If the test is coming up, you should probably give yourself 2-3 weeks for an AP test at minimum,” said Mrs. Rebekah Smith, an AP World History teacher.

There are hundreds of different ways to study, ranging from writing the words down, using flashcards and working problems out.

For students like Clayton Terry using a Rubik’s cube can be helpful.

“If I find myself getting off task or distracted, I pick it up and I spin it a few times and I’m back on, because it reminds me of what I’m needing to do,” said Terry, a sophomore.

It is also important to be prepared and eliminate distractions.

“When you sit down to study, have everything prepared and ready to go. The worst thing you can do is sit down and be like ‘Oh I really need a highlighter.’ And then you get up and go find a highlighter. And then you say’ I could really use a snack,’ and then you go to get a snack. So make sure that you’ve got everything ready to go when you sit down to study,” said Mrs. Smith.

Even though there are tons of study methods, some students have not found their method yet.

“The sooner you can figure out your methods of studying and the way that your brain works to retain information, the better off you set yourself up for in the future,” said Mrs. Smith.

But in order for students to study, she recommends to first get organized and figure out what they need to study.

“Usually I use a planner, and then on my phone I write down what I have to do for that day,” said Harshini Vivek, a junior.

Finally, Mrs. Smith says that students should be proud of what they accomplish.

“I also encourage my students to celebrate their success. So, when they make an 84 on their test, rather than getting discouraged by that, I want them to feel empowered, that they’ve made the first step toward getting a good grade in the future,” said Mrs. Smith.