Study tips to be as smart as Rory Gilmore

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, over 60% of teenagers reported feeling stressed daily. For middle schoolers 50% and high schoolers 75% stated that they felt "stressed over academics all the time." Reducing this stress can be very simple, by adopting efficient, helpful, and basic study techniques and tips.

Tips for Learning at School

1. Stay organized 

Get a planner or agenda and make sure to write down any due dates or tests so you won't forget and can plan ahead. Every week, check your after-school schedule and what you have due for school, then make a study schedule.

2. Look through what you're going to learn 

Before you have the class looking through what the new subject is can help you understand the subject better. This is because you won't obtain all the information simultaneously, not overwhelming your brain.

3. Tell your teachers your goal grade 

Once your teacher knows that you are willing they will help you achieve your desired grade. If you don't want to do this another option is asking your teacher how you could improve your grade.

4. Don't miss anything important 

Don't skip school unless you are obligated to. Also, get to class early, many teachers tell you the homework or plan for the week at the beginning of class. If you do miss anything catch up as soon as you can.

5. Be nice to teachers 

This way your teacher can trust and if your teacher likes you they can help you get the grade you would like.

6. Take good notes 

Taking good notes is crucial for revision. Make sure your notes are detailed since many teachers focus on just that, the details. While taking notes make a separate column to write down your questions so you can ask your teacher afterward.

7. Ask questions 

If you don't want to ask your teacher, ask a friend, sibling, parent, or the internet.

Tips for Homework/Studying

1. Always prioritize homework and studying 

"No sorry I have to study" is a perfectly acceptable excuse. Finish your homework the day it's assigned so that you can do the extra credit work.

2. Study with intervals 

Once your brain gets too tired you won't be able to comprehend and learn the way you usually do. When you see signs of this take a break. Also, if you have several subjects you have to study for alternate between them so you don't get bored and distracted.

3. Don't get distracted 

Find somewhere where you don't have any distractions or put distractions away. Don't study in bed, on the couch, or any place that you associate with comfort. Make sure to put your phone away while studying.

4. Read ahead

If you started reading a novel as a class read ahead on your own time. This will prepare you for class discussions, pop quizzes, or any questions the teacher may ask you. Another thing to do is make small summaries of the chapter and write them down. This way if you have to remember what a chapter was about you can just read your summary. 

5. Double check

Always check your assignments, especially essays, for spelling or grammar errors before turning them in. Don't try to do this quickly read slowly and make sure everything makes sense.

Techniques

1. Practice tests

Practice tests are so useful and efficient. You can ask your teacher to make you a parent or sibling as well. When you have time you can also just ask a friend to test your knowledge on the topic.

2. Flashcards 

Very easily portable and a lighter and easier way to study but still very efficient. Writing down your own flashcards will also help in memorization.

3. The protege effect

This is a psychological phenomenon where one acts like they are teaching, or teaching, the topic to someone else. This will help you understand the information better yourself. If you prefer just discussing the topic with someone that could also work.

4. Use the Internet 

There are probably hundreds of videos and articles about the very topic that you are struggling with. There are summaries of the topic or book you are learning about.

5. Mindmaps 

Mind maps work great for visual learners and to summarize chapters, maybe even books. You start by writing the topic in the middle of the page and then adding more information around it.

6. The cheat note 

This technique should be used when you don't have much time left for your test. Write down everything you struggle with on a note and revise multiple times. Have full intention to cheat on the note during the test but don't actually. This will help you remember what you are struggling to remember.

7. Summarize notes 

This method works very well as a "night before test" kind of review. In this technique you read through all the notes you have taken on the topic then you summarize and write them down with diagrams and graphs. Then you read over your notes out loud which will help with memorization. 

Mindset

1. Don't study because you have to 

Study because knowledge is power that no one can ever take away from you, because it helps you grow, and enhances you. Study because you want to learn more.

2. Don't make excuses 

While you are procrastinating others have already started, maybe even finished so just give yourself a little time to find a place you can focus and then start studying. If you don't feel like studying count until 5 then get up, go to a desk, and just start, you will realize that it isn't that bad. Just remember that when you start tomorrow you are going to wish you started today.

3. Believe in yourself 

This might seem cliche but just believe that you are going to do good. If you are confident with yourself or at least seem confident it will help you in many ways. Also, don't stress about tests or exams right before you enter them, it's good to be nervous but not overwhelmingly anxious.

4. Always try to improve yourself 

Have the mindset that your next essay needs to be better than the last. When you get tests or homework back revise your mistakes and work on them so you won't make them again later.

5. Quality over quantity

Just because you took more time to finish an assignment, project, or test doesn't mean you failed or did worse than them. On the contrary, it shows that you were more focused and dedicated more time to do what you were assigned. Don't focus on others focus on yourself and take as much time as you need to do your best.

Motivation

1. Remember the feeling 

Remember how it felt to get that good grade, then remember how afraid you were when you knew you didn't study enough and you probably failed your test.

2. Study with friends 

Make a study group with your friends and meet up to study. If you can't psychically meet up then Zoom call them. If using this technique beware to stay concentrated and keep studying, don't get distracted.

3. Reward system 

This isn't the best option since your motivation should be the knowledge you gain but it has worked for many people. While using this method you reward yourself for what you have achieved. For example, if you get a 90% on your test buy yourself a book, if you get a 95% buy yourself a small gift, and if you get a 100% buy yourself something that you have wanted.

4. YouTube videos 

This is another way you can use the internet to your advantage, YouTube has tons of "study with me" videos that could help motivate you to keep studying.

5. Find out when to study 

Everybody is different and thus we all prefer and are more motivated to study in different parts of the day. Finding out when that period is for you can keep you motivated.)

6. Getting bored? 

If you started getting bored try changing your environment. Instead of studying at home go to a coffee shop or a library. Get some food or drinks. Open slow or classical music.

The Small Things

1. Start reading for fun 

Everyone likes a different type of book so first try to find the category you like. Then start reading every day because you want to. This will help with your vocabulary, creativity and so much more. Also always keep a pen, pencil, or highlighter with you while reading so you can mark the words you don't know and when you have time you can look over them.

2. Trying to learn a language? 

Listen to podcasts or watch movies in that language. This is such an easy way to practice and it doesn't even feel like studying.

3. Sleep well 

Especially before exams or big presentations make sure that your body isn't tired. This way you can show off all the knowledge you gained while studying. Also, don't try to pull an all-nighter so you can "study." It's not going to really help you, you're just going to be tired for your exam

4. Don't make your life just school 

Make sure to have hobbies, join clubs, or do something outside. Taking breaks is crucial so your mind doesn't get too tired.

5. Don't stop because it's a "break"

Just because school took a break doesn't mean you should. Don't try to recreate school just make sure you are at least revising what you did last year. And if you want to get ahead breaks are the perfect time to work towards that goal.