Top 10 Study Tips for Students

The average high school student takes six to eight different classes during a semester. Additionally, each U.S. student studies for approximately 10 to 15 hours each week. Students can expect to master a wide range of subjects during their four years of high school, as well as invest a large amount of time into regular studying. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your time with these 10 study tips for high school students.

Improving Your Study Skills Are Important for School

Take into account the amount of free time you have when you return home after a regular school day. Many students juggle more than one extracurricular activity, which means there’s a finite amount of time you have to set aside for studying. Creating a structured schedule with techniques that work well for you can help to optimize that time, giving the best grade results in return.

Find a Studying Technique That Works

There are plenty of techniques for improved studying, but only a select number that will work well for you. Since everyone is different, it’s best to take each tip as a suggestion, not a rule. For example, some students experience higher efficiency if they eat a snack before studying, whereas others prefer to reward themselves after. Try a few different studying techniques, keeping the ones that work and discarding the ones that don’t.

10 Study Tips for High School Students in 2022

Jump-start the new school year with a refreshed set of techniques to improve your studying and academic performance. Here are Knovva Academy Foundation's top 10 favorite study tips you can implement today:

No. 1: Play Some Instrumental Music

Studies show that playing calm or ambient music can help you retain more information. Try a low-volume option as a way to add background noise that won’t bother your study flow. YouTube has hundreds of selections specialized for studying and concentration.

No. 2: Invest in a Quality Planner

Compiling a list of to-do’s or organizing your tasks by day can help you take control of your busiest weeks. A good daily planner typically has enough space to write down events for each day and contains a calendar-view of the month so you can plan ahead. You may also want a planner that includes extra lined pages for any ideas or notes you have along the way.

No. 3: Try a Self-Administered Quiz

Quizzing yourself is a helpful way to test your knowledge and how well you’ve retained the information. Some students prefer to quiz themselves just before an exam. However, you can practice this study technique throughout the semester. This will help ensure that information you learn toward the beginning of the year doesn’t get lost when it is test time. Websites like Quizlet let you create flashcards and turn them into self-administered quizzes.

No. 4: Review Your Notes Nightly

Most students tend to recall information easier when it’s recent, that’s why sometimes you might look at notes from a few weeks back and struggle to remember the key concepts. To avoid this, dedicate a few minutes each night to review the notes from that day. This is especially helpful if there’s a concept you’re having trouble understanding.

No. 5: Set Realistic Goals

No matter how many classes or online courses you take, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your available time and your abilities. Set realistic milestones to track your progress, and find ways to reward yourself for small accomplishments throughout the semester. Break a big goal into smaller, easy-to-digest pieces. For example, if you have a major essay due at the end of the month, try to set a goal of writing 500 words per day and reward yourself for meeting that goal at the end of the week.

No. 6: Study Every Day

Similarly to point No. 4, daily studying is imperative to long-term information retention. The classic procrastinator may avoid studying all week until the night before a final exam, when they stay up all night to cram the information. While those who do not procrastinate may study daily, they usually only dedicate a few minutes to an hour each night and feel significantly less anxiety about tests.

No. 7: Improve Your Notation Skills

A key step to effective studying is to take notes that will be easy to understand later on. Some students prefer typing notes on a tablet, while others like to put pen to paper. There are advantages and disadvantages to both styles. For digital note-taking, you might be able to type faster than you write; however, you may also get distracted by other tabs or notifications. For traditional writing, it might take longer and come with some serious hand cramps after, but you can focus better. Maybe a combination of the styles may work best for you.

No. 8: Focus During Each Study Session

Treat your study sessions as vital aspects to your academic success. The time you dedicate toward a deeper understanding of your subjects shouldn’t be wasted. So, try to stay focused as best as you can. This might mean turning off your phone or keeping it in another room. You might also want to tell your family members to keep noise at a minimum to avoid additional distractions.

No. 9: Prioritize Completing Assignments

There’s nothing worse than having multiple incomplete projects hanging over your head. So whenever you’re given a new assignment, work toward its completion. Set your goals with intention, even if that means breaking bigger tasks into smaller pieces you can complete at different times. Likewise, if you have a project that’s almost done, prioritize completing it before starting any new tasks.

No. 10: Make a Routine and Stick to It

We saved the best for last. Perhaps one of the most crucial tips for studying is to stay consistent. No matter what study skills you employ this year, make sure to practice them weekly, if not daily. Experts say that it takes 30 days, or one month, to form a habit. In this case, you’ll want to find something that works best for you and keep at it to get the most benefit.

If you have more questions about our back to school tips or how to do better in school, see how contact Knovva Academy can help you foster better study habits.