Study Tips and Strategies

Tips on How to Prepare

1. Have all necessary materials with you:
 Lots of white or lined paper
 Pencil, Red Pen, Blue Pen, Black Pen for colour coding
 Highlighter
 Ruler
 Bottle of Water

2. Find a quiet place to study:
 Finding a quiet place is very important…find it yourself
 Use headphones if they help you concentrate and avoid distractions
 Turn off the computer, cell phones, etc while you are studying

3. Draw up a schedule:
 Block units of time and what subject to study for…Make a table
 Plan using common sense for which subjects to study for first and in what order according to your exam schedule
 Planning to study for an entire subject in one night is not a good long-term plan; spread it out a bit with greater emphasis on the next test
 Plan for Breaks…Keep to your schedule and do not go over the time limit

4. Find your study guide or make one yourself:
 Identify all of the concepts that you will be tested on
 List the sections of notes, formulas, and ideas

5. Study the most difficult material when you are alert:
 Morning before lunch 9-11 am are good study times

6. Good nutrition makes a difference!
 Make sure you have your proper meals of the day…especially breakfast

7. Review the morning before the test for a few minutes:
 But try to relax just before you write (15 minutes)
 Arrive early for tests…Be at school early so you do not feel rushed
 Bring a bottle of water to your exams to help with exam stress

Strategies on How to Study

 Practice Questions in Math!
For Math Exams, the only proper way to study for math is to practice the different questions over and over again.  It doesn’t matter if you have already done the question before, cover up the answer and practice again.  Re-write the question and answers on a separate sheet of paper.  Pretend it is a test and pick (3) questions from each section.  Make sure you are getting the right answers by checking.

  Create flashcards
For definitions, formulas, or lists that you need to have memorized–put topics on one side of the card, answers on the other. Practice these by yourself, a friend, sibling, etc.  You can just use paper to make flashcards; coloured paper works even better!

  Writing out What you Read
This helps with memorization and learning through motion.  Write out key ideas as you read through your notes or textbook.  Another method that works is typing it out on the computer instead of writing.  Obviously, write out they main ideas and not every little detail.

  Read out What you Wrote Down
This helps with memorization and learning orally.  As ridiculous as it sounds, read out loud your notes or key concepts that you have identified and wrote down previously.  Repeat it several times if you need to.

 Make your own Exam Questions
Identify from old tests or quizzes and assignments which questions keep getting asked.  Make a variation of these same questions and practice them.

 Study with a “good study friend”
This is a way to take a break, relax and have fun at the same time.  Pick someone who will obviously study and will not distract you.  Quiz each other by asking each other Questions from the Study Guide or Flash Cards.