10 Study Tips for High School Students

Do you love school? Do you hate it? Or maybe you have a love-hate relationship with it?

Regardless, a good education will take you far in life so here are some study tips to help you make the most of it.

1. Creative Notes

Boring notes don’t stick in your head very well. Lists of facts or vocabulary words are little better than what is presented in your textbook.

So, get creative with your note taking! Use colour-coding, arrows, flowcharts, shapes, and whatever else you can think of to dress them up. The act of doing so will make it easier to remember them.

2. Be Wise With Your Study Time

Part of having good study habits is knowing how to use your study time. Going at it for hours with no break is not very effective. Instead, try the Pomodoro method of 25 minutes of serious study with a 5 minute break.

3. Cut Down on the Interruptions

Pick a quiet spot to study to avoid interruptions. And don’t forget to put your phone on silent!

4. Outdoor Time

Spending time out in the sunshine will help your concentration immensely. Vitamin D from the sun is vital for proper physical and mental health. Plus, the fresh air helps you think better. You can even get some benefit by taking your books outside if you’re pressed for time.

5. Physical Activity

The brain works best when your body feels good. Physical activity is about more than staying in shape, it also helps protect you from sickness and boosts your mental health. Not to mention you’ll be able to concentrate better when you don’t feel so sluggish.

6. Stimulate the Mind

On your breaks, try reading something that piques your interest. It will help keep your mental juices flowing. Just don’t get stuck going down the rabbit hole!

7. Spend Time with Loved Ones

Social time is important for our mental health as well. Don’t recluse yourself with your books so much that you don’t spend quality time with your friends and family.

8. Organize Your Deadlines

You might think you can juggle all your deadlines in your head, but it’s mentally exhausting. Instead, set up a white board in your study space where you can write deadlines and set goals along the way. Having it out in front of you with a plan for completion makes it less stressful. Plus, you get a fun sense of accomplishment as you check off each task.

9. Remember to Edit

Don’t just finish an assignment and turn it in. Try to finish it at least 24 hours ahead of time and then edit it before submitting. If you edit immediately, your brain can easily gloss over glaring errors because it knows what it is supposed to say.

10. Have a Snack

You can’t think well when you’re hungry so be sure to have some snacks on hand. But a bag of chips and a Snickers bar don’t count. Choose healthy, nutritious food that will fuel your study session instead of giving you a sugar high and then making you crash.