Study Tactics

Method to the madness

Students share how they study as nals week approaches

Tanner Guillot guilltan000@hsestudents.org

The end of the semester is approaching rapidly, as well as the nals that come alongside it. Success in a nal exam requires a speci c mindset and memorized knowledge; however, the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of studying itself is not the same for all. Yet, speci c strategies do exist, and many students have found methods that have worked for them. One strategy, to start, is that information is retained better when repeated regularly. According to research from the University of California San Diego (UCSD), ‘cramming’ is not a great method, as important details are likely to be overlooked. Rather, spacing out practice sessions and giving oneself time, greater allows information to be processed and will keep both old and new material fresh in one’s mind. Students themselves have also found timing to be important. “I always say: ‘don’t study all at once,’” junior Keenan Gardner said. “Take a little bit of time each day, do a little, so you’re not just cramming the night before.” Memorization is also recommended by UCSD. e majority of tests do not have reference material available, so one should test themselves; a er reading notes or a textbook, one can jot down what they remember to see what is understood and what is not. Additionally, there are tools available to test memorization, such as Quizlet or physical ashcards. “I like to do ashcards a lot,” sophomore McKayla Martin said. “I’m in oceanography, so I use them a lot for remembering [terms]. I also do a lot of quizzes, [so it’s] more test-like studying.” One factor which varies between di erent students is which environment suits them the best. Many prefer silence and isolation, allowing complete focus on the material at hand. “I de nitely like being alone,” senior Leo Lockrem said. “I don’t like being in crowded places, like a library. I like to be in a quiet place. I don’t like to listen to any music, I don’t like to have anything, I just need to focus 100% on what I’m doing.” However, others nd louder, more casual areas to be better for them to study in. “I actually like background noise,” Martin said. “It’s harder for me to study when it’s very quiet. Yes, I can do it then, but I like more sounds around me.” e beast of stress itself is also a challenge faced by students preparing for tests. e aforementioned strategy of spacing out study sessions can be an aid. According to the Jed Foundation, a nonpro t mental health organization, going over the material and organizing one’s workload will naturally reduce stress. Cramming and overwhelming oneself can lead to more panic. “I would start [studying] about a week before, and every day, doing a little bit of studying, rather than trying to cram it all in at the end,” Lockrem said. “For me, at least, the most stressful thing is going into a test or quiz without knowing anything. So, studying in and of itself is kind of a stress reducer for me.” Ultimately, studying is a very personal process. While primarily meant to keep school material in mind, studying well can also naturally prevent stress. Simply retaining information is not the only thing which a nal exam demands; one also needs to be personally prepared. “Focus on getting the things you naturally need,” Lockrem said. “Focusing on getting enough sleep [and] eating right, but also focus on school.”

Illustration by Tanner Guillot.