Let’s face it: high school can be tough. Between juggling classes and extracurricular activities and just trying to enjoy your teenage years, it’s easy to let your studies fall by the wayside.
But good grades are essential if you want to get into a good college and set yourself up for success later in life.
So how do you ensure you get the most out of your studies? Check out these 10 study habits that will help you ace high school.
Create a study schedule and stick to it.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re studying enough is to create a schedule and stick to it. Block out time each day for homework and classwork, and avoid letting other commitments interfere with that time. Of course, there will be days when you have to miss your study time, but try to limit those as much as possible.
Get plenty of sleep.
It might seem like there are not enough hours in the day, so how can you fit in a full night’s sleep? But trust us, getting enough sleep is crucial for academic success. When you’re well-rested, you’ll be able to focus and retain information more effectively. So do your best to hit the hay at a reasonable hour each night.
Take breaks and allow yourself some downtime.
No one can focus 100% of the time, so don’t expect (or try) to do so. When you feel burnt out or like your brain needs a break, take 5-10 minutes to step away from your work and clear your head. Once that break is over, it’s important to get back to work and finish what you started.
Find a quiet place without distractions.
When it comes time to hunker down and get some serious studying done, find a place to focus without distractions like TV, music, or social media. If you have trouble focusing at home, see if there’s an empty classroom or study lounge at school that you can use instead.
Do one task at a time & finish what you start before moving on.
In today’s world of constant multitasking, it can be tempting (and even feel necessary) to try and do several things at once—but when it comes to studying, that isn’t effective. So instead of trying to juggle several tasks at once, focus on one thing at a time until it’s done before moving on to something else. Your brain will thank you!
Get organized & make use of planners & calendar apps.
Keeping track of your studies and activities is impossible if you don’t stay organized. Use planners, calendar apps, and other tools to ensure you know when assignments are due and when upcoming exams will take place.
Break down big tasks into smaller ones & set mini-goals.
Set achievable goals for each study session.
Big tasks can be overwhelming, so break them down into smaller ones and set mini-goals. That way, you’ll feel more motivated to complete the task at hand and finish your work faster.
Take practice quizzes & tests.
Doing practice quizzes and tests is one of the best ways to prepare for exams. Doing them in an environment similar to the actual test day can help you become familiar with the experience, making it less daunting when exam day arrives.
Teach somebody else the material.
Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to learn something. Explaining a concept to another person forces you to think critically and better understand the material. This will help you retain it more effectively, especially on exam day.
Reward yourself for a job well done!
Finally, don’t forget to reward yourself for completing your studies. Take a break, enjoy a movie night with friends, or indulge in your favorite treat—you deserve it after all the hard work you put in!
Acing high school isn’t easy—but it is possible with hard work and dedication. By following these 10 study habits, you’ll be on the path to academic success in no time! And remember: even if you don’t get the grades you want right away, keep trying—you’ll get there eventually!