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Helpful Study Tips

I'm making a comprehensive list of helpful/useful study tips.

#1. Teach it someone else.

Sitting down and a) actually teaching/explaining it to someone else or b) pretend to teach/explain it to someone else can actually help you understand and remember the concept more. Hell, you can talk to yourself (you might get weird looks, that's okay) about it.

#2 Make your study space clean and organized.

Trying to study is a place that's messy and unorganized isn't helpful. It's cluttered, and your mind is going to be cluttered. Try not to study in bed (guilty, but in my defense I don't have room for a desk in my room and I wish I fucking did).

#3 Study is time segments.

Sitting down and studying for an hour straight isn't beneficial. The human mind can only focus for about 15-20 minutes max before it starts to just mindlessly read. There is an exception to this like if it's something that really interests you, but like for me reading an English book that I'm not enjoying (and I usually don't because there's no fight or action scenes, and it's not sci-fi or fantasy) I tend to just mindlessly read. My eyes read the words, but they don't register in my head.

Studies say you're supposed to study for about 15-20 minutes and then go do something else like go get a drink or go the bathroom or even just take a 5 minute social media break. Then go back to studying for another 15-20 minutes.

#4 Get enough sleep.

One this is good for your health. Two, it actually helps with your memory. Your brain stories permanent memories while you're in REM sleep (<--- that's means your studying counts)

#5 Prioritize your time.

Your health should automatically come first. But school is more important than your hobbies especially if you haven't graduated high school yet. Make a daily to-do list or get all your school shit done for the next day or next few days, then do what you like to do in your spare time. Take it from me, I'm over 2 weeks ahead in my one class, and that means I have extra time to do other things during that class now.

#6 write down your homework and other due dates.

Don't try to remember everything that's due. Just buy a damn planner and write that shit down. I like to use a different color for each class.

#7 Switch it up.

Don't always study in the same place. Sometimes, I study at the local library (although they give weird looks there because don't study in the library around here). Other times, I study on my bedroom floor. Other times in the kitchen. The point is to move around. You'll get bored studying in the same place everyday.

#8 Use outside resources.

Of course if you don't understand, ask the teacher or someone else for help. But, outside resources can be super helpful too. Look of crash course videos.

If you need help in history, look up John Green's crash course videos.

If you need help with science concepts, look up Hank Green's (John Green's brother) videos. Super helpful, both of them.

If you need help in Math, go to Khan Academy (can't really vouch too much for them since I haven't used it). I've heard it's helpful. Also, go to slader.com or download their app. It's free and it will give you textbook answers and explanations on how to get the answer.

If you need help in English . . . you need to go somewhere else because I'm dumb when it comes to finding metaphors and allusions and shit. But, if it's grammar help you need, then go to Grammarly.

#9 Do what's best for you.

Personally, I think rewriting my notes is helpful. There's studies that show that repeatedly writing something can help you remember. I think reading over my notes several times (okay most of the time I only read them over once) is helpful. Make quizlets if that helps you. The point is to do what's best for you. It may mean experimenting a bit to figure it out.

#10 Read the shit you're supposed to.

If the teacher tells you to read something, read it. Honestly, I think it's helpful like in government or anatomy if I sit down the night before the test and read the entire chapter. In all honestly, I end up memorizing the chapter. I don't mean to, but I kinda have a photographic memory. But, what I'm trying to say to read the shit you're assigned.

#11 Study a little bit everyday.

If you sit down at the end of the day, and just read over the notes you took that day or yesterday, it will be easier to study for the test/quiz/exam/whatever.