I could have Winter Break started yesterday, but we’re almost in the middle of the Third Quarter. With all of this stress, upcoming testing, and homework, it can be hard to keep up with everyone else. Now more than ever we need to learn how to stay on top of our academics (It doesn’t get any easier from here). That’s why today I’ll help you stay ahead of the curve with these quick tricks for testing and studying!
- Don’t wait until the last Minute!
Being a professional procrastinator myself, I completely understand the want to wait until you really need to get something done. While it is important to take care of your body and give yourself rest, you shouldn’t let one outweigh the other.
- Stay Hydrated!
Dehydration can greatly harm all sorts of functions, especially thinking critically during a test. Bring a water bottle with you and drink regularly. There are water fountains around the school, so don’t be afraid to use them. Depending on what you’re testing in, some instructors may allow you to bring water. Take advantage of every opportunity to keep your body running in tip-top shape.
- Listen intently to directions and lectures; take notes when possible.
Always practice active listening. For those unaware of the term, active listening is when you fully comprehend, retain information about, and ask questions during lectures. Take notes in whatever way works best for you, remember these only need to make sense to you!
- Pace yourself (It’s not called the FAST test for its speed)
With the fast-paced nature of school, it’s easy to overwhelm yourself with work. Remember slow and steady wins the race. You will always do better going through something methodically and thoughtfully, especially tests.
- When studying, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
You are never alone in your struggles, and this affects your schoolwork as well! Make study groups, ask your parents and/or teachers questions about the material, and go to Valiant Vikings Tutoring when you can. The only reason we’re here is because people worked together.
- Remember you’re only Human, the best you can do is all you can do.
Perfectionism is something I struggle with daily. Worrying about grades and scores can make you disillusioned with your academic progress. Remember you are not your mistakes. To learn is to take past failures and improve the next time.
- Every effort is worth it
Everything you do has a butterfly effect on the world around you. Even though a homework assignment or a test question may seem unnecessary or nonsensical, all of this is made to help you succeed in the future. Little steps are still steps. The only way to climb a mountain is one step at a time.
- Practice self-affirmations
You can be your worst critic, but you can also be your biggest supporter. Practice complimenting yourself in the mirror and celebrating every success you have. Remind yourself that you matter, you are strong, and you are smart. You can look up affirmations online to practice. You can also brainstorm some with someone you trust, such as your family, friends, therapist, etc.
- Don’t Cheat!
Remember what I said about everything you do mattering? That also applies to doing things unethically. Part of the Viking Motto is Integrity. Do the right thing even if no one knows, and goodness will be sure to come back to you.
I hope these tips help you become not only a better student but also a more confident one as well.