assignments for study skills

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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Ultimate Study Skills Guide: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Every Grade

Because they really do need to learn how to learn.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that study skills are life skills. Taking good notes, creating a focused workspace, managing distractions, making plans—any and all of these are skills people of all ages use every single day. Taking time to teach good study skills up front can equip students to succeed in school and beyond.

We’ve broken down many of the top study skills students need, including examples by grade level. Remember that there are a lot of different ways to study successfully. Offer students options and help them find the strategies that work best for them.

Study Spaces

Organization and time management study skills, learning styles, taking and using notes, effective reading study skills, completing assignments, test taking, finding help.

Choosing the right place to study is the first step to good study skills. Teach students to consider these elements.

Choose Your Space

For some students, this means a dedicated study space like a desk in their room. Others may prefer to curl up in a chair with a lap desk or work at a table in a common space. Whichever they choose, it should be an area that’s dedicated to study while they’re using it.

Source: organizeandarrangeit/Instagram

• Elementary School: Many students begin doing homework on the dining room or kitchen table, where parents can supervise. As students get older, encourage them to explore other spaces too, especially those where they can work independently.
• Middle School: By this age, kids will probably need a dedicated study space of their own, where they can keep supplies and works-in-progress. If that’s not possible, create a bin or box where they can store stuff while they’re not using it, then pull it out when it’s time to study.
• High School: Older students should be able to carve out a study space pretty much anywhere, since that’s something they’ll need to be able to do in the working world too. As long as they’re able to concentrate and get their work done, don’t be too picky about where they choose to do it.

Make Yourself Comfortable

“Comfortable” looks different for every person, so don’t assume all kids need to be sitting at a desk to work well. At the same time, they shouldn’t be so comfortable that they’ll fall asleep!

• Elementary School: When kids are doing independent reading, let them choose any spot they like. For other work, make sure they have a sturdy writing surface, like a table or lap desk. Ensure they have enough light to see what they’re doing, and teach them good posture if they’re sitting in a chair so they don’t develop stiff muscles.
• Middle and High School: Show them how to adjust the font size on screens so they’re not squinting to read. Encourage them to use blue light filters if they’re spending a lot of time on computers.

Manage Distractions

Learning to concentrate while ignoring distractions is a key life skill, and one that we all need to develop. Some students will have no trouble tuning things out, while others are going to need a lot of help with this one.

• Elementary School: Kids at this age are very easily distracted, so their study space should be as calm as possible. If a quiet room isn’t available, they might need noise-canceling headphones or even a white-noise machine to help them concentrate. Muting the TV isn’t enough—be sure it’s off completely. Remind friends and siblings to leave kids alone while they’re working.
• Middle School: These kids are old enough to recognize distractions but might still have trouble handling them. Encourage them to turn off phones and electronics (although some students are fine listening to music while they work). Students at this age are old enough to politely ask friends or family not to interrupt them while they work.
• High School: By this time, students know that the world is full of distractions and you can’t quiet them all. But you can teach them to mute their phone and messaging notifications, close all unnecessary windows on their laptops, and be firm about letting others know they need to be left alone to study.

Gather Your Supplies

One way to eliminate distractions is to ensure you have everything you need in place before you start. This includes books, notes, office supplies, and more. All kids should have water and some healthy snacks on hand too.

Source: jugglingactmama/Instagram

• Elementary School: Having a dedicated, well-stocked study space makes it much easier for kids to settle down to their work. Keep a supply of sharpened pencils, glue sticks, scissors, markers, and other items in a nearby drawer or a bin they can grab when they’re ready to get started.
• Middle School: Students this age likely keep just about everything they need in their backpacks, so they’ll want it nearby when they study. Remind them to restock their supplies once a week (including sharpening pencils in advance).
• High School: Depending on the assignment, these students may not need a lot of physical supplies, but they should still gather any books, notes, laptops, pens and highlighters, etc., they need before they settle in for a study session.

These two study skills are also vital life skills, so the sooner kids learn them, the better. They’ll be grateful later in life!

Use a Homework Planner

As soon as kids starting having any kind of homework, they need a planner. For younger students, this could be a daily take-home folder, while older kids will need a more sophisticated system. Either way, use it consistently so it becomes a habit.

• Elementary School: Take-home folders are perfect for organizing worksheets and other assignments. Put unfinished work on the left and finished work on the right. Use sticky notes on the worksheets or the front of the folder to write reminders about what needs to be done, including any due dates. Parents of younger students can review these folders each day, while upper elementary kids should mostly be able to keep track of things on their own.

Source: Busy Classroom

• Middle School: Use a planner notebook that includes calendars to help keep track of long-term assignments, with pages for daily notes and to-do lists. Teach students to make notes in them during class or immediately after, and start every study session by reviewing any current assignments and their due dates.

Source: Starts at Eight

• High School: Kids can continue using paper planners, or transition to online calendars or apps. Show them how to set useful reminders online, so things don’t slip through the cracks.

Source: LP Tutoring

Create a Daily Study Plan

When kids sit down to tackle the day’s work, encourage them to begin by making a plan. Assess what needs to be done, estimate the amount of time it will take, and decide what to do first.

Source: Beyond Booksmart

• Elementary School: Parents and young kids should sit down together to look over the day’s assignments and talk about what to work on first. Some students might like to get easy tasks out of the way before settling in to harder ones, while others prefer to handle more difficult things first. Help them find the method that works best for them.
• Middle School and High School: This age brings a higher amount of homework, so students should always start by determining how much time they’ll need to complete it. Let them experiment a bit—do they work best by completely finishing one assignment before moving on to the next, or do they like to do a little bit of each and take some breaks in between? Over time, they’ll find the methods they like best.

Chose the Best Study Time

Kids’ days are often jam-packed with activities, leaving homework and studying to get squeezed in whenever it fits. Take time to find out what time of day kids are at their best, and prioritize that time for study. For instance, if a student seems to learn better if they do their homework right after school, try to choose extracurriculars that meet in the evenings or weekends instead. Some students might even prefer to get up early in the morning and work, and that’s OK too as long as they’re getting enough sleep.

• Elementary School: Let kids try doing their homework at different times throughout the day, and see if there are times when they’re better at concentrating. If so, teach them to schedule their schoolwork during those times, and make extracurricular choices for them accordingly.
• Middle and High School: Students probably know by now when they work best, but busy schedules can make that more difficult to accommodate. Remind them to try to make smart choices and to tackle schoolwork when they’re feeling as fresh and alert as possible.

Keep Materials Neat and Organized

Some adults thrive in messy work spaces, and that’s OK. But kids should make an effort to keep their spaces and materials organized so they have fewer excuses for not getting things done.

Source: mywallpro/Instagram

• Elementary School: In early grades, parents should help kids go through their backpack each night, cleaning out trash and restocking supplies. Help them set up an organization system using the different pockets. Show them how to use different-color folders and notebooks for each subject, and clean out every folder regularly. Set the backpack by the front door each night so it’s ready to go in the morning. Upper grade students should gradually do some or all of these things on their own.
• Middle School: Transition to entirely managing backpacks and study spaces on their own. Parents might check in once a week or at the beginning of a school quarter to see if students need some assistance getting organized.
• High School: In addition to managing their physical study materials, ensure kids at this age know how to keep things organized online. Show them how to use files and folders, where to back things up, and how to manage their email and message inboxes. Encourage them to set aside a regular time to make sure everything is in order, and make improvements as needed.

Take Breaks

Students need both physical and mental brain breaks while they study! Remind kids to get up and move around regularly, rest their eyes, and give their brain a break for a few minutes every so often.

• Elementary School: Younger students should be able to work for about 15-20 minutes before taking a break, with upper grades going as long as 30 minutes. They usually won’t need reminders to take breaks, but they might need some help keeping those breaks to no more than 10 minutes or so.
• Middle School: These kids can work 30-45 minutes at a time and should learn to recognize the signs of needing a break on their own. When they start to get very fidgety, feel a headache coming on, squint while they’re reading, or feel hungry or thirsty, it’s time for a short break. Teach them to set a timer to know when the break is over and they need to get back to work.
• High School: By now, students can work an hour at a time but should be encouraged to take regular breaks all the same. In fact, just like adults, they should aim to get up and move for at least 5 minutes every hour. Physical activity like stretching, yoga, or even dancing to music will help refresh them so they can get back down to it. If they have trouble remembering to take breaks, have them set a timer to remind them.

All students use different learning methods to retain and understand the same information. Some like written words, some prefer to hear it and talk about it. Others need to do something with their hands or see images and diagrams. These are known as learning styles. While it’s important not to pigeonhole students into any one style, kids should be aware of any strengths they have and use them to create strong study skills.

Source:  Nnenna Walters

Know Your Style

There are four generally accepted styles: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic (movement). You can learn more about them here. It’s worth taking time to understand which (if any) style appeals to a student more.

• Elementary School: Most kids are exposed to a wide array of learning activities, strategies, and methods here and will slowly form preferences. If parents or teachers notice that kids aren’t learning well using one method (e.g., flash cards to learn math facts), have students try activities from different styles instead (like videos or songs).
• Middle School: At this age, students should have some idea of which study methods fit their learning styles. They should continue to experiment, especially in subjects where they struggle to master the material.
• High School: Kids in these grades who still don’t understand how they learn best may benefit from taking the VARK questionnaire . It will point them in the right direction and help them find the best study methods.

Choose Appropriate Study Materials

Here are some examples of study materials and activities that appeal to different learning styles, no matter the age or grade level.

Source: Elementary Shenanigans

• Visual: Diagrams; charts; graphs; maps; videos with or without sound; photos and other images; graphic organizers and sketchnotes
• Auditory: Lectures; audiobooks; videos with sound; music and songs; text-to-speech translation; discussion and debate; teaching others
• Read/Write: Reading textbooks, articles, and handouts; watching video with subtitles turned on; using speech-to-text translation and transcripts; making lists; writing answers to questions
• Kinesthetic: Hands-on practice; educational craft projects; experiments and demonstrations; trial and error; moving and playing games while learning

Study after study have shown the importance of actively taking notes rather than passively reading a handout later on. The act of writing engages different parts of the brain, forging new pathways that help students retain information in long-term memory. Taking good notes and using them properly are study skills every student needs to master.

Learn Different Note-Taking Strategies

There are a variety of good strategies, like outlines, the Cornell Method, sketchnotes, and more. There’s no one best method; it often depends on the material and the learner.

Source:  Think Insights

• Elementary School: Actively teach kids how to take notes in a variety of styles. Learn about seven top note-taking strategies here , and share them with your students. Teachers can start with handouts and graphic organizers but should slowly transition to more independent methods.
• Middle School: Students should be mastering the skill of taking their own notes, choosing a style that works best for them. They may need reminders of key points to capture but should now be able to isolate the important info.
• High School: Note-taking should be automatic by now, and many students will have developed preferred styles. Teachers should not insist on a specific note-taking strategy, but should ensure kids are capturing the information they need.

Organize and Review

Taking notes is just one part of the process. Students with good study skills also know how to use them effectively.

Source: The Mad Scientist

• Elementary School: Help students keep all notes from one subject or project in one notebook or folder. Show them how to place them in an order that makes sense, and use tabs, tables of contents, or other organizational methods. Encourage them to review each day’s notes when they go home at night, to reinforce the learning.
• Middle School: Students in these grades might want to reorganize their notes on their own when they get home, re-copying them or even typing them into a computer. They should be able to use effective organization strategies, to find the notes they need later on during a study session.
• High School: Students should plan to spend time after every class going over that day’s notes, reviewing and reinforcing what they learned. They should be able to rely heavily on their own notes when reviewing for a test or completing a project.

“Read chapter three for homework tonight.” Sounds simple enough, right? But there’s a big difference between skimming the material and actually learning from it. Here are the study skills students need to learn while they read.

Highlighting

Everybody loves a handful of colorful highlighters, but using them effectively is a study skill all on its own. Kids can highlight both texts and their own notes.

Source: cozmic_mae/Instagram

• Elementary School: Read material with students, showing them how to highlight key words and phrases instead of whole blocks of text. Show them color-coding strategies for organizing the information. Give them practice passages specifically for learning these skills.
• Middle School: Introduce students to online highlighting tools, since many of the texts they’ll be reading are digital. If necessary, they can print out reading material to highlight physically instead.
• High School: Kids should be pretty expert at highlighting by now, but watch for students who are still highlighting whole blocks without really knowing why, and show them the fundamentals.

Rereading and Taking Notes

In a lot of cases, reading something once simply isn’t enough. All students should learn to reread materials, using that time to highlight and take notes.

Source: SERC

• Elementary School: Reread passages together, pointing out key words, phrases, and ideas. Make notes while reading, both in the text and on separate paper. Try to complete review questions without referring to the text.
• Middle School: Students will know they’ve read thoroughly when they can complete review questions without looking back. Show students how to write their own review questions as they study (the Cornell Method of Note-Taking is perfect for this) so they’ll know they truly understand the material.
• High School: Continue to reinforce good reading study skills by giving students review questions to complete or asking them to make an outline or sketchnotes to sum up what they’ve learned.

Kids need to learn how to thoroughly complete an assignment, whether it’s a worksheet, an essay, or a term-long research project. These are the study skills they should know.

Understand the Assignment

Having a clear understanding of what’s being asked is so important. Otherwise, kids might wind up doing the wrong work, then having to tackle it all over again.

• Elementary School: Show kids how to carefully read directions at the beginning. Have them repeat back what they’re expected to do, and make notes if they need reminders. Teachers should provide instructions in writing whenever possible and make them clear and simple.
• Middle School: Encourage students to ask questions about assignments up front, or throughout if necessary. Continue to ensure they fully understand the directions before they start, especially when there are multiple steps.
• High School: By now, students should be able to make their own notes about expectations and can handle a series of more complicated steps. They should make a habit of reviewing all that information before they begin work.

Make a Plan

Once they know the expectations, students should plan how they’ll do the work.

• Elementary School: Help students evaluate the assignment and decide which parts they’ll do first. This is also a good time to estimate how long the work will take.
• Middle School: Encourage kids to think about how they like to approach assignments. Do they like doing easy problems first, then circling back around to harder stuff? Do they sometimes get stuck and frustrated? If so, how can they get “unstuck” and continue to make progress?
• High School: Many high school assignments are more complex, and students will need to lay out the steps to take. For instance, a research project might require choosing a topic, getting approval, starting research, planning a presentation, and giving the presentation, with multiple sub-steps in each. This all feels more manageable when you have a plan in place first.

Save Your Work

Such a basic study skill, and so extremely important!

• Elementary School: Help students ensure all assignments go back into the appropriate folders and all folders make it into their backpack when they’re done. Don’t leave things lying around where they can get lost.
• Middle and High School: In addition to keeping physical papers in order, be sure kids know how to save files online, including backing up their work. Many programs save automatically, but that’s not always the case. Show them how to keep backed-up files on an external drive or in the cloud, in case their hardware fails.

Review and Revise

Finishing the last problem on the page or typing the final word on a paper doesn’t mean you’re done. Good study skills means going back to review your work and make revisions.

Source: EnglishWritingTeacher.com

• Elementary School: Parents and younger kids should go back over completed homework together to make sure it’s complete and correct. Perform math problems “backwards” to see if the answers make sense. As kids get older, parents should remind them to review and check their answers on their own.
• Middle School: Students should regularly remember to check their answers before turning in an assignment. Advise them to make sure they’ve done everything they’ve been asked to, to the best of their ability.
• High School: Reviewing and revising should be automatic now. Writing assignments should include plans for multiple revisions. Teach students to use spell-check and grammar-check programs as needed, and encourage them to read their writing out loud to hear how it sounds.

Some kids naturally do well on tests, but others freeze up and forget everything they’ve learned . Fortunately, test-taking study skills are something kids can learn over time.

Source: Tammy DeShaw/The Owl Teacher

Review the Material

Kids should develop a variety of strategies for reviewing for a test, including review questions, flash cards, discussions, looking over notes, and more. It’s also important to follow a regular study schedule on any subject, instead of leaving all the review to the last minute.

• Elementary School: Whenever possible, adults should work with kids to help them study. Make flash cards, talk over the material together, sing spelling word songs—model good study skills for them to help them learn.
• Middle School: Help students continue to use a variety of review strategies. Teachers can provide review questions, set up study groups, and create online materials for them to use, just to name a few.
• High School: Kids should be coordinating their own review by now, whether independently or in groups. Make sure they know how to contact you if they have questions while they’re studying.

Get Rest and Eat Well

At any age, feeling your best is key to acing a test. Discourage students from staying up late to cram, and see that they have healthy meals and snacks on the day of the test. If they’re allowed, be sure they have bottled water on hand to stay hydrated before and during the test itself.

Tackle Easy Questions First

This one is especially important for students who have difficulty managing their time, or those who get incredibly nervous about tests. Focus on showing what you know, and build confidence as you go along.

• Elementary School: Teach kids to look over the entire test first so they can see what they’ll be expected to do. Tell them to ask questions right away if they have any. On the second run-through, they should answer any questions or problems they’re certain about. Finally, they can go back and handle more challenging questions, one at a time. In younger grades, practice this skill by using guided test-taking sessions.
• Middle School: Before a test, remind students of the process. Have them look the whole thing over first, and ask if anyone has any general questions before they begin. Monitor kids as they complete the test, and nudge along any who seem stuck on one particular question or section.
• High School: By now, kids should have the process down pat, but teachers should be aware of nervous test-takers and quietly remind them to focus on what they know.

Watch the Time

It’s a simple skill but a valuable one. Get kids used to glancing at the clock, but not obsessing over how much time is left.

• Elementary School: Tell kids how much time they have up front. Offer reminders several times, especially toward the end, but don’t do it in a way that amps up anxiety.
• Middle School: Make time expectations clear up front, and remind students once or twice of the remaining time as they work. Students should be glancing at the clock occasionally as they work; at the end of every page or section is a good rule of thumb. If they feel like they’re running out of time, remind them to use the “easy questions first” strategy.
• High School: Older students should be able to look over a test and compare it to the amount of time they have, so they know they’re working at the right pace. Teachers can offer a reminder halfway through and five minutes before the end.

Review Before Submitting

Just like with assignments, students should try to make time to review test answers before they turn it in. (And to make sure they put their names on their paper!)

• Elementary School: Actively ask students who are turning in their papers to go back to their seats and review their answers first. Build in a little extra test time so every student has a chance to review their work.
• Middle School: Remind students to review their work before submitting it when you pass out the tests. Offer additional reminders to those who regularly turn in work that needed another look.
• High School: Students should remember to build in time to look things over at the end as they start taking the test. The five-minute reminder toward the end is their cue to look over what they’ve done.

Even when you have terrific study skills, sometimes you need some assistance. Asking for help when you need it is something everyone needs to be able to do. While kids can’t expect adults to walk them through every step of the process, they should feel free to reach out for guidance when they need it.

Know How and When To Contact Teachers

Help students keep contact information handy and know the appropriate ways to contact their teachers as needed.

Source: StudentSavvy/Teachers Pay Teachers

• Elementary School: Most outside-school communication is between parents and teachers at this point, but kids should be encouraged to ask their own questions during the school day whenever possible. As they get older, parents should do their best to let kids take the lead.
• Middle School: Students should be almost entirely independent of parents when communicating with teachers now. They should know when teachers are available to chat in person (including before and after school, if possible). Adults can also show them how to write respectful emails or texts if teachers have made that contact information available.
• High School: At this point, students should be nearly 100% responsible for talking to their teachers when they need to. They should keep a contact list of email addresses, phone numbers, or other info. Additionally, they should recognize and respect preferred methods of contact.

Create Study Groups

While some kids work best on their own, many others thrive working with others to keep them on track and motivated. Setting up study buddies or groups enhances everyone’s study skills.

Source: MiddleWeb

• Elementary School: Parents will likely have to coordinate any in-person or online study sessions. Teachers can help by pairing students together as partners or for tutoring, and providing virtual study spaces when necessary.
• Middle School: As students get older, they should learn to seek out strong study partners. Help them recognize that their best friends may not always be the best choices when it comes to studying. Encourage them to have peers over to study, or to meet in public places like libraries.
• High School: Kids should be independently forming their own study support systems. However, they might ask teachers for help when they need one-on-one tutor recommendations. They may work together at school, at home, at the library, or online.

Use Resource Tools

There are more ways to learn and study than ever before. Help students find the right options to support their studies.

• Elementary School: Encourage students to look up answers in the right places: What does a word mean? Check the dictionary. When did the Civil War start? Here’s how to Google that. Help younger students use the resources to ensure they’re finding the information they need.
• Middle School: “Hey Google, how many moons does Jupiter have?” Kids this age know how to ask questions on the web. However, they need to learn how to make sure the answers are reliable. Teach them about primary sources (like following Wikipedia info back to its original source) and how to verify information in several different places.
• High School: A huge number of resources are online these days, so be sure students know where to find them and how to use them. Provide trusted online dictionaries and encyclopedias, show them how to seek out a thesaurus or rhyming dictionary, and guide them to video sites beyond YouTube, just to name a few.

How do you teach study skills in your classroom? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, check out 15 life skills every teen should learn ..

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10 awesome study skills worksheets: high school and upper middle school

by mindroar | Jul 18, 2022 | blog | 0 comments

As I sit writing this, I have a beautiful view of a mountain out my window.  I have climbed this mountain countless times throughout my childhood, adolescence, and as an adult.  

In fact, I recently took my five-year-old up the track for the first time.  Her reaction at the top was ✨ Wow! ✨

While the track has changed considerably (to improve safety 😂, it ain’t the 90s anymore) the climb is always worth the effort.  

The view from the top is of surrounding houses and farmland: pineapples, macadamias, and a few vining plants. (I’m not sure if they’re passionfruit or grapes).

Every time I climb that mountain, I’m reminded that the work I put in on the climb will be rewarded at the top, once I reach my goal.  

Worth the climb (and time!)

And that’s kind of how I feel about teaching study skills to students.  The hard work we teachers (and the students too) put in to developing these key skills reward them (and us) throughout the rest of their lives.

A student who can take effective notes becomes an adult who can take meeting minutes, remember key details of projects, and extract important ideas from documents.

Learners who know different reading strategies to priotize reading become adults who know what is worth their time to skim, skip, or read in depth.

Students who know how to organize their time and workspace become adults who can keep their workspace functional, plan their calendars, and manage teams.

And learners who have skills to help them focus and concentrate become effective employees who earn raises, promotions, and further their own opportunities at work and in life.

So while it may seem like a waste of time to teach, and re-teach (and re-teach 🙄 ) study skills, remember that these skills are the skills that your students will use not just in the classroom but in life.  

These skills help students become effective employees, family managers, and business owners who can cope with the demands of their day with resilience.

Know that the effort you put into climbing that well-worn path is worth it because it enables your students to succeed in life.  

But also know that teaching study skills to middle and high school students doesn’t have to be time-consuming or arduous.

Especially if you use study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate, of course). And we have ten for you to peruse today, as well as a free Cornell note-taking template (see the sign-up box at the bottom to grab that!).

Taking notes

The first of the study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate) we have is this one about taking notes.  It accompanies the free Crash Course Study Skills video and covers 

• how to adequately prepare for taking notes
• the advantages and disadvantages of paper-based and computer-based note-taking
• what to write when taking notes
• how to gauge a class
• what to take notice of in textbooks and lectures
• the outline method of note-taking
• the Cornell method of note-taking
• and the mind-mapping method of note-taking 

Reading assignments

The second of the study skills worksheets for high school students is designed to be used in conjunction with the popular Crash Course Study Skills Reading Assignments YouTube video.

The video and worksheet covers

• how to assess which readings to skip, skim, or read
• the physical processes involved in reading and how they limit reading speed
• how to increase reading speed
• and techniques for reading more effectively

The next of the study skills worksheets (high school- and middle school-appropriate) we have is this one for the Crash Course Study Skills video about memory .  The video and worksheet cover

• how memory works
• the importance of revision
• why our brains forget
• and techniques to revise effectively

  Planning and Organization

Another of the study skills worksheets for high school (and middle school students) is this one and accompanies the Crash Course Study Skills Planning and Organization video on YouTube. 

The video and worksheet cover

• how to increase the effectiveness of learning by being better organized
• tools for keeping organized including task managers, calendars, note-taking apps, and filing systems/apps
• and how to plan effectively for learning by committing to a daily or weekly review and planning session

Fous and Concentration

Another useful study skills worksheet to go with the Crash Course Study Skills videos is this one about focus and concentration .

• why we get distracted
• how to train yourself to increase your ability to ignore distractions,
• techniques students can use to ‘trick’ themselves into remaining more focused when studying

Procrastination

The next of the study skills worksheets for high school (and middle school) students is this one to go with the Crash Course Study Skills Procrastination video on YouTube. 

• why we procrastinate
• what creates motivation
• how to increase motivation
• and how to increase productivity by reducing impulsiveness

Studying for tests and exams

Another of the study skills worksheets (high school- and middle school-appropriate) is this one , which is designed to be used in conjunction with the popular Crash Course Study Skills Studying for exams video on YouTube. 

• why study needs to be spaced out over time
• how to create a study schedule
• tips on how to study actively and more effectively
• and what to do if you get stuck

Test anxiety

This study skills worksheet for high school (and middle school) students is for the popular Crash Course Study Skills Test anxiety video on YouTube. 

With student anxiety on the rise, this is a great tool for the teacher toolbox to combat the before-test anxiety that many students suffer.

• why people feel anxious about tests
• what types of fears most people have about tests
• and how to combat the most common fears people have about tests

Papers and essays

This study skills worksheet accompanies the Crash Course Study Skills Papers and Essays video on YouTube. 

• how to approach writing papers and essays
• how to ensure you research effectively
• how to write a draft
• and the different types of editing writers (and students) should do

Crash Course also has an excellent video series about digital research called Navigating Digital Information .  

The series covers

• the importance of being a sound digital researcher
• fact-checking
• lateral reading
• how to evaluate evidence
• evaluating evidence including photos, infographics, statistics, videos, and data
• using Wikipedia
• and social media and click restraint

All of these topics are great topics to cover when students are completing research papers and essays because they provide a quick reminder about strategies students can use to ensure their research strategies are sound.

If you’re interested in finding out more about it, see this blog post here .  We also have a worksheet series for this digital research video series ( see here if you’re keen to have a look).

The final of the study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate) is this one that goes with the Crash Course Study Skills Exercise video on YouTube. 

• the evidence that suggests exercise is an important component of any study regime
• the physical and chemical processes people’s bodies undergo when they exercise
• and the types of exercise that increase learning ability/effectiveness

Study skills worksheet (high school and middle school appropriate) bundle

If you’ve’ made it this far, you either want the freebie, or you’re super keen on all the study skills worksheets.  

You’re in luck, if you want all of the worksheets, we have a discounted bundle available on TPT here .  The bundle includes all of the worksheets shown above 👆 .

Other great resources to help students learn to study more effectively

While these aren’t high school study skills worksheets, there are a couple of bonus resources listed below that would make it super easy to come up with study skills activities for high school students.  Easy ways to use these resources include:

• get students to watch them for homework
• as an emergency lesson for a substitute
• at the start of the term/semester/year to remind students of important study skills
• throughout the term to remind students about effective study strategies

And the resources we have linked are

• Thomas Frank’s video Study Less Study Smart
• Thomas Frank’s College Info Geek podcast
• Ali Abdaal spaced repetition video
• Ali Abdaal how to create a study timetable video
• This blog post with other study skills videos for middle and high school students

Cornell note-taking template freebie

Now, finally, if you want an awesome freebie (a blank Cornell note-taking template) that your students can use in class to take notes (either on paper or digitally) sign up below and get it delivered straight to your inbox. 👇.

Study Skills for Students

Proven tips and techniques for studying smarter… not harder.

Study Skills Checklist Use our study skills checklist to identify study skills areas where you should improve and focus.

Habits of Highly Effective Students Learn how to develop and apply effective study habits that will help you become a highly effective student.

Discover Your Learning Style Discover which learning styles and preferences will enhance your study skills and improve the rate and quality of your learning.

Effective Time Management Learn how to optimize your studying and get more accomplished with effective time management.

Finding a Place to Study Let’s say it one more time, Location! If you’re constantly being bombarded by distractions, it can be difficult to study. Finding a location that suits your method of learning is key to effective studying. Learn More

Study Skills Guides

Struggling to be a successful student? Don’t get discouraged, it isn’t magic! But it does require desire, dedication and a lot of work. If you want to learn how to become a successful student, then you’ve come to the right place.

Our study skills guides for students will provide you everything you need in order to learn how to learn more effectively.

Active listening, reading comprehension, note taking, stress management, time management, testing taking, and memorization are only a few of the topics addressed in our study skills guides for students. If you’ll take the time to learn and apply the study skills concepts and principles taught in our guides you’ll not only improve your performance in school but also your ability to learn in general — and that will benefit you the rest of your life!

Whether you’re a freshman in college looking to get ahead, a teacher seeking study skills resources for your pupils, or a high school student just trying to survive, you’ll find the study skills guides, tutorials, and resources you need right below.

To get started select a category link below.

• General Study Skills

Test Taking Guides

• Study Skills by Subject

Or scroll down to browse all our study skills resources and tutorials.

General Study Skills Guides

The following are general study skills guides, tutorials and articles for students, parents and teachers that offer proven tips and strategies for improving study skills habits, effectiveness and learning ability. Topics covered include time management, learning style, note taking, reading, math, vocabulary, writing, and listening, among others.

• Study Skills Checklist
• Discover Your Learning Style
• 10 Habits of Highly Successful Students
• 16 Study Motivation Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
• Improving Reading Comprehension
• Study and Learning Skills for Online Classes
• The Cornell System for Taking Notes
• Improving Your Note Taking
• Improving Your Memory
• Active Listening Skills Guide
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Critical Reading Guide
• Using Effective Time Management To Optimize Your Studying
• Finding a Good Study Location
• Using Studying Groups
• Strategies for Reading Textbooks
• SQ3R Strategy for Reading Textbooks
• Vocabulary Building Strategies
• Basics of Writing An Essay
• Writing Research Papers
• Setting and Achieving Goals
• The Forgetting Curve
• The Study Cycle
• The Learning Pyramid Explored

Test taking is a skill in and of itself. Even some of the brightest students struggle when it comes to test taking. Learning how to take tests is an important aspect of educational performance, development and progression. Below we’ll explore both general and specific tips and strategies for taking and enhancing performance on various types of tests, including short answer, multiple choice, essay, oral, openbook, and standardized.

• Test Preparation Tips
• Coping With Test Anxiety
• Simple Strategies for Improving Test Performance
• Test Taking Strategies
• Short Answer Tests
• Taking Essay Tests
• Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips
• True/False Tests
• Solving Math Word Problems
• Quantitative and Math Test Preparation Strategies
• Openbook Tests
• Oral Test Taking
• ACT Test Taking Strategies
• SAT Test Taking Tips and Techniques
• LSAT Strategies
• How To Study for the MCAT
• Test Taking Strategies for Nursing Students
• NCLEX Test Preparation Guide
• The ACCUPLACER Test Guide
• GED Study Guide
• GRE Study Guide

Study Skills Resources by Subject

Understanding general, yet proven, strategies for studying and test taking is the first step to becoming an effective learner and student. However, each subject you study is unique and requires a slightly different learning approach. For example, learning how to do calculus is very different from studying American heritage. While both subjects require good study habits, effective listening, and reading comprehension skills, each requires a different approach to learning. Below we’ll explore specific study skills and strategies as they relate to performance within individual subject areas.

• Anthropology
• Compu t er Science
• Engineering
• Foreign Language
• Political Science

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Study Skills

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• Top Tips for Surviving Student Life
• Living Online: Education and Learning
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• Critical Thinking Skills
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Finding Time to Study

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What is Theory?

Styles of Writing

Effective Reading

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Planning an Essay

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• 6 Skills You Learn in School That You Use in Real Life
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What are Study Skills?

Study skills are the skills you need to enable you to study and learn efficiently – they are an important set of transferable life skills.

Our pages provide generic study skills advice – appropriate to learners across all disciplines and in different life circumstances: full and part-time students, those returning to education later in life, those engaged in professional development and anybody who wants to learn how to learn effectively. 

Key points about study skills:

You will develop your own personal approach to study and learning in a way that meets your own individual needs. As you develop your study skills you will discover what works for you, and what doesn’t.

Study skills are not subject specific - they are generic and can be used when studying any area. You will, of course, need to understand the concepts, theories and ideas surrounding your specific subject area. To get the most out of your studies, however, you’ll want to develop your study skills.

You need to practise and develop your study skills.   This will increase your awareness of how you study and you’ll become more confident.  Once mastered, study skills will be beneficial throughout your life.

Study skills are not just for students.   Study skills are transferable - you will take them with you beyond your education into new contexts. For example, organisational skills, time management, prioritising, learning how to analyse, problem solving, and the self-discipline that is required to remain motivated.  Study skills relate closely to the type of skills that employers look for.  (See Transferable Skills and Employability Skills for more.)

At SkillsYouNeed we provide quality content on many life skills – and many of these are relevant to studying.

You’ll find two types of study skills pages – pages that directly relate to skills you need for study (such as How to Write an Essay ) and pages that are more general life skills but which are also important to studying (like Active Listening ).

Our Study Skills Pages Include:

Getting Organised to Study

Getting organised is an important first step to effective study.  Our page covers the basic organisation skills you need to consider – fundamentals such as where and when to study and the importance of developing a network of contacts who can help you when you need it.

This page covers some of the basic principles of time management – with reference to study. If you manage your time badly then you will be less productive, which can lead to stress and anxiety. This page will help you by outlining the importance of a personal study timetable and how to set goals and prioritise your time.

Sources of Information for Study

Learn what is meant by, and the importance of, primary, secondary and tertiary documents and how you may source such information in a library or online.

By understanding different writing styles you can put what you read into perspective. This page covers the main writing styles that you are likely to come across, including academic, journal, and journalistic styles.

When studying, it is likely that you will need to read a lot of information – and you will wish to use this time effectively as possible by developing your reading skills. Discover ways that you can engage with your reading, form links, understand opinions and put ideas and research into perspective. In short, develop your reading skills.

Critical Reading and Reading Strategies

This page explains what is meant by critical reading and critical thinking – skills which are fundamental to true learning, personal development and advancement. The page also covers how to develop a personal reading strategy and use SQ3R to help you manage your reading.

Note-Taking

Learning to take notes effectively is not only important to study but also in many other situations, at work and in your personal life.  Develop your note-taking skills with our pages: Note-Taking for Verbal Exchanges and Note-Taking for Reading .

It pays to carefully think about and plan an essay or other piece of written work before you start writing.  This page provides you with a framework for planning which will help ensure your work is relevant, well-constructed and produced efficiently.

Essay Writing

Learn about the processes involved in writing an essay, or other piece of assessed work.  Avoid common mistakes and follow best practice to help ensure that the work you produce is of a high quality.

How to Write a Dissertation or Thesis

Working on a dissertation, thesis or other research project can be the most challenging part of study. Our guide offers practical advice and explains how to work on each part of a research document, including:

• How to Write a Research Proposal
• Ethical Issues in Research
• Researching and Writing a Literature Review
• Writing your Methodology
• Writing up your Results and Discussion

Learning how to reference correctly is vital if you are a student. This page not only covers why you should reference, and what may happen if you don’t, but also includes some detailed guidelines on how to reference different types of materials.

As a learner you will be required to engage with theory, but exactly what is a theory?  A theory is an attempt to provide understanding - theories attempt to answer the question, 'why?' and therefore satisfy our curiosity.  Learn more about theories and how they are usually developed.

Before you submit your assignment for school, university or work, run through a series of final checks.  Avoid potentially embarrassing or costly mistakes and increase the credibility of your work.

Reflecting On Marked Work

This page, for students, encourages you to engage in the feedback you receive from a marker when your work is returned.  Don’t just look at the bottom line, the mark, but understand the comments and feedback and learn from any mistakes.

Revision Skills

Revising for examinations can be a real challenge for many people. Learn and practice some key skills to make your revision time as productive and effective as possible, leaving you better prepared for exams and tests.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide for Students

Develop the skills you need to make the most of your time as a student.

Our eBooks are ideal for students at all stages of education, school, college and university. They are full of easy-to-follow practical information that will help you to learn more effectively and get better grades.

Other Areas Related to Study

Writing Skills

The writing skills section of SkillsYouNeed includes many other pages that we hope you’ll find useful.

Our pages: Spelling , Grammar and Punctuation for example can help with assignment writing.  You may also find information on our pages: Gender Neutral Writing and Clichés to Avoid useful.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the skills we use every day to interact with others and many are relevant to effective study.

For example see:  Listening Skills , Problem Solving and Decision Making , Questioning and Types of Questions , Verbal Communication and Effective Speaking .

Personal Skills

Our Personal Skills section covers areas of personal development . 

Useful pages for study include:  Building Confidence and Self-Esteem , Tips for Dealing with Stress , Relaxation Techniques , and Self-Motivation .

Start with: Getting Organised to Study

See also: Employability Skills for Graduates How to Systemize Your Study Develop Your Online Learning Skills and Get More from Your Online Classes

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• Study Skills

How to Improve Your Study Skills

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Sean Alexander, MS . Sean Alexander is an Academic Tutor specializing in teaching mathematics and physics. Sean is the Owner of Alexander Tutoring, an academic tutoring business that provides personalized studying sessions focused on mathematics and physics. With over 15 years of experience, Sean has worked as a physics and math instructor and tutor for Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and Stanbridge Academy. He holds a BS in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MS in Theoretical Physics from San Francisco State University. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 909,663 times.

Studying is a skill you can improve, just like any other. Set yourself up for success by taking notes, keeping a study schedule, and practicing growth mindset thinking. When you start studying, limit your distractions, avoid multitasking, and take breaks to keep focused. Experiment with different strategies of preparing for tests, like using mnemonics, and joining a study group, until you find a few that work great for you.

Things You Should Know

• Create a study daily schedule to get organized. Prioritize the most important tasks and focus on one subject at a time instead of multi-tasking.
• Pay attention in class and take good notes so you can review them later. If you have any questions, bring them up to your teacher.
• Take a 10-minute break at least once an hour to avoid overloading yourself. Taking regular breaks will help you retain more information in the long-term.

Improving Your Focus

• If you like studying with music, make sure it is chill music, without words, that won't have you singing along and getting distracted.
• You can ask one of your family members to help you keep all the distractions away from you, such as mobile phones and laptops.

• Studies have shown that multitasking isn't only ineffective; it's also stressful. You can get much more enjoyment out of a task if you focus on it and do a good job, and then move on to the next thing.

• It's also very satisfying to be able to check off each item as you complete it. You feel accomplished!

• Some textbooks will also mark the most important information in bold, or have review sections going over key points. [6] X Research source

• Your brain and body need a little activity and fun so that you're able to focus again.

• Studies have shown that students who practice a growth mindset learn better than students with fixed mindsets, who tell themselves that every setback is a bad thing, instead of an opportunity to grow.
• Don't worry if you have a more negative mindset now. You can develop a growth mindset with lots of positive self-talk.

• Aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night, or more if that's what you need.

Memorizing Information Strategically

• For example, a tactile learner would best learn how a clock works by taking one apart and putting it back together.
• A visual learner would look at a diagram of how the clock worked.
• A reading/writing learner would read an essay about the clock's function and take notes.
• An auditory learner would listen to a lecture about it.
• If you're not sure what you're learning style is, you can take an online quiz about it here: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

• Try building a visual memory of things you need to remember if you're a visual learner. For example, if you have to recite a long poem for your English class, try to picture each line or verse as a specific image.

• Taking notes in class also forces you to pay attention.
• Don't feel the need to write down every word your teacher says.

• If you're going to have to write an essay on your test, don't just memorize information that you might have to include. Actually practice writing an essay in a short amount of time, so that when the day comes, you won't feel nervous, because you've done it before.

• Cramming the night before a test isn't just stressful and exhausting, it's also not very effective.

• If your study group is having trouble focusing, try setting a timer for 45 minutes. Say: “Let's study until the timer rings, and then we'll have a snack break,” or something like that. Having a short, set amount of time to focus is more manageable.

• Depending on the concept, you can also try teaching it to a younger sibling or somebody else who has less knowledge than you. Trying to explain a tricky concept in simple language can clarify your understanding. Also, explain your study concept to someone. This will help you understand the concept better because you're talking out loud. If you can't talk to someone, talk to your pet, your TV, your pillow, your imaginary friend, etc. The point of this isn't to teach someone the concept, it is to read it out loud, but it might feel weird talking to yourself, which is why talking to someone or something can help.

• Try your best on a problem before you ask for help from your teacher. Then phrase your question like this, “I tried this, but I couldn't figure it out. Could you help?” or “I understand this part, but I'm confused about that part. What does it mean?” This will make it clear that you're not asking your teacher to do your work for you, you are just looking for clarification.

Joseph Meyer

Review basic concepts before diving into advanced topics. Identifying the gaps in your knowledge helps you avoid difficulties later on. Take an assessment or get your teacher's advice on where you can improve. Practice targeted exercises to build a strong foundation so you can confidently tackle new lessons.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Remember to close your door so that you don't get distracted by noise anywhere else in the area. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Switch off your cellphone before preparing for studying. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Don't lie down when you study. You may find yourself dozing off and not getting any work done. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Tips from our Readers

• When studying, chew a different or strange flavour of gum. Then, when you take the test, chew the same flavour. This can help jog your memory.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/take-charge-of-distractions/
• ↑ Sean Alexander, MS. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 14 May 2020.
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/taking-notes-while-reading/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201108/test-yourself-learn-better
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/sites/success.oregonstate.edu/files/LearningCorner/Tools/taking_breaks_from_studying.pdf
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/sleeping-to-succeed/
• ↑ https://www.stetson.edu/administration/academic-success/media/LEARNING%20STYLE%20TIPS.pdf
• ↑ https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/memory-techniques/
• ↑ http://labs.psychology.illinois.edu/~lyubansk/Therapy/Tips.htm
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/learning/exam-prep/efficient-effective-study
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/study-partners/
• ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

About This Article

To improve your study skills, always start by studying the hardest subject first since you'll be more alert and focused when you first start studying. Also, remember to take a break from studying every once in a while to go for a walk or listen to some music, which will prevent you from feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It's also helpful to quiz yourself as you're studying so you know which things you don't understand and should spend more time on. To learn how to create an ideal study space, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Study Skills

Exercise: Crash Course Study Skills #10

Papers & Essays: Crash Course Study Skills #9

Test Anxiety: Crash Course Study Skills #8

Studying for Exams: Crash Course Study Skills #7

Procrastination: Crash Course Study Skills #6

Focus & Concentration: Crash Course Study Skills #5

Planning & Organization: Crash Course Study Skills #4

Memory: Crash Course Study Skills #3

Reading Assignments: Crash Course Study Skills #2

Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1

Crash Course Study Skills Preview

Effective Study Skills for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Personal Development

High school is a critical period for students, laying the foundation for future academic and career success. Developing effective study skills during these years can make a significant difference in academic performance and overall confidence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore key study skills for high school students, provide practical tips, and highlight the importance of creating a personalized study routine. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how to enhance your study habits and achieve your academic goals.

Why Study Skills Matter

Strong study skills are essential for high school students for several reasons:

• Improved Academic Performance : Effective study techniques lead to better understanding and retention of material, resulting in higher grades.
• Time Management : Good study habits help students manage their time efficiently, balancing academics with extracurricular activities.
• Stress Reduction : Organized study routines reduce last-minute cramming and anxiety before exams.
• Preparation for Higher Education : Developing study skills in high school prepares students for the rigorous demands of college and beyond.

Key Study Skills for High School Students

• Create a Schedule : Use a planner or digital calendar to allocate specific times for studying, homework, and extracurricular activities. Stick to your schedule as much as possible.
• Set Priorities : Focus on completing high-priority tasks first. Break down larger assignments into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Active Listening : Pay close attention during lectures and take notes on key points. Avoid transcribing everything; instead, summarize information in your own words.
• Review and Revise : Regularly review your notes and revise them to reinforce your understanding of the material.
• Preview the Text : Before diving into a chapter, skim through headings, subheadings, and summaries to get an overview of the content.
• Highlight and Annotate : Highlight important passages and write annotations in the margins to help with retention and comprehension.
• Mnemonics : Use mnemonic devices to remember complex information. Acronyms, rhymes, and visual images can make memorization easier.
• Practice Retrieval : Test yourself regularly on the material you’ve studied. This helps strengthen your memory and identify areas that need improvement.
• Find a Quiet Space : Choose a study environment free from distractions. A quiet room, library, or study hall can be ideal.
• Stay Organized : Keep your study space tidy and have all necessary materials (books, notes, stationery) within reach.
• Collaborative Learning : Join or form study groups with classmates. Discussing and teaching each other material can enhance understanding and retention.
• Stay Focused : Ensure that study group sessions remain productive and don’t devolve into socializing.
• Regular Practice : Solve practice problems and take practice tests to apply what you’ve learned. This is particularly useful for subjects like math and science.
• Real-World Application : Try to relate the material to real-world scenarios. This makes learning more interesting and relevant.

Creating a Personalized Study Routine

Every student is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another. Here’s how to create a personalized study routine:

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses. What study techniques have worked for you in the past? Where do you struggle the most?
• Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. For example, aim to improve your grade in a particular subject by the next report card.
• Try different study methods to see what suits you best. You might find that a combination of techniques, such as flashcards and mind maps, works well.
• Balance your study time with breaks and leisure activities. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break, can be effective.
• Consistency is key. Stick to your study routine, but be flexible enough to make adjustments as needed.

Utilizing External Resources

Sometimes, self-study might not be enough. Here are some additional resources that can help:

• Tutoring Services : Personalized tutoring can provide targeted support in challenging subjects. Consider our mentorship program for expert guidance.
• Online Resources : Websites, apps, and online courses can offer supplementary learning materials and practice tests.
• School Resources : Take advantage of resources available at your school, such as study guides, after-school help sessions, and counseling.

Exploring Further Education Options

Understanding your study habits and preferences can help guide you towards the right educational path. For more insights into different types of colleges and how to choose the best fit for your educational journey, check out our previous blog post: Exploring the Different Types of Colleges for Your Educational Journey .

Developing effective study skills is crucial for high school students aiming to excel academically and prepare for future challenges. By focusing on time management, note-taking, effective reading, memory techniques, and creating a personalized study routine, students can enhance their learning experience and achieve their academic goals. Remember, the key to success is consistency, dedication, and a willingness to adapt your study habits to find what works best for you.

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25 Study Skills for High School Students: Mastering Each Skill

High school is a crucial period in a student’s academic journey, filled with opportunities and challenges. It’s a time when students start to gain more independence and responsibility for their own learning. To thrive in high school and beyond, one essential skill to develop is effective study skills. In this blog post, we will explore why study skills for high school students are so important and provide a comprehensive guide to mastering them.

Why Study Skills Matter in High School

Table of Contents

Academic Challenges in High School

High school presents a unique set of academic challenges. The coursework becomes more complex, the pace quickens, and students must juggle multiple subjects and extracurricular activities. 

Additionally, high-stakes exams like the SAT or ACT and college admissions become prominent concerns. To navigate these challenges, students need strong study skills.

The Role of Study Skills in Success

Study skills are the foundation of academic success. They enable students to become more efficient, focused, and organized in their learning. Effective study skills for high school students not only help to absorb information but also retain it and apply it effectively. They are the tools that turn hard work into smart work.

Benefits of Developing Good Study Skills

Developing good study skills has numerous benefits. It can lead to higher grades, reduced stress, improved time management, and increased self-confidence. 

These skills are not just relevant in high school; they are transferable and will serve students well in college and their future careers. As such, investing time and effort into developing effective study skills is an investment in a successful future.

25 Study Skills for High School Students

• Effective Time Management: Create a schedule to balance classes, homework, and extracurricular activities.
• Organizational Skills: Use planners or apps to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and important dates.
• Active Listening: Pay attention during lectures to grasp key concepts and take meaningful notes.
• Note-Taking Techniques: Develop shorthand and organizational methods to jot down lecture highlights.
• Critical Reading: Analyze texts, identifying main ideas, supporting details, and underlying themes.
• Mind Mapping: Use visual tools to organize ideas and create connections between different concepts.
• Prioritization: Focus on tasks that are due sooner while managing long-term projects effectively.
• Goal Setting: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for academic tasks.
• Stress Management: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to alleviate stress.
• Healthy Study Environment: Create a quiet, well-lit, and organized space conducive to focused studying.
• Digital Literacy: Utilize online resources and educational platforms for research and learning.
• Collaborative Learning: Form study groups to discuss topics, solve problems, and reinforce understanding.
• Effective Communication: Engage with teachers and classmates, asking questions when concepts are unclear.
• Self-Discipline: Avoid procrastination by breaking tasks into manageable chunks and adhering to deadlines.
• Test-Taking Strategies: Learn techniques like process of elimination and time management during exams.
• Self-Assessment: Regularly evaluate strengths and weaknesses to adapt study methods accordingly.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep for optimal brain function.
• Utilize Resources: Make use of library resources, academic databases, and online tutorials for research.
• Creative Study Techniques: Use mnemonic devices, flashcards, and storytelling to enhance memory retention.
• Effective Internet Research: Evaluate online sources for credibility, relevance, and accuracy in research assignments.
• Feedback Incorporation: Learn from feedback on assignments and exams to improve future performance.
• Time Blocking: Allocate specific time blocks for different subjects, activities, and breaks in the study routine.
• Positive Mindset: Cultivate a positive attitude, embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Adaptability: Be open to changing study strategies if current methods aren’t yielding desired results.
• Continuous Learning: Stay curious, explore diverse subjects, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning.

How to Refine Your Study Skills?

Refining your study skills is a continuous process that involves self-assessment, adaptation, and the implementation of effective strategies. Here are steps to help you refine your study skills:

Self-Assessment:

• Reflect on your current study habits and their effectiveness.
• Identify areas where you struggle or need improvement, such as time management, note-taking, or test preparation.

Set Clear Goals:

• Define your academic goals and objectives for each study session.
• Knowing what you want to achieve will help you stay focused and motivated.

Time Management:

• Create a study schedule that fits your daily routine.
• Allocate dedicated time for each subject and task, allowing for breaks and leisure activities.

Organization:

• Use planners, calendars, or digital tools to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
• Organize your study materials and workspace for maximum efficiency.

Note-Taking Techniques:

• Develop a note-taking system that works for you, whether it’s Cornell notes, mind maps, or outlines.
• Focus on capturing essential concepts and main ideas during lectures.

Active Reading:

• Approach reading assignments critically, looking for main ideas, supporting details, and connections.
• Annotate texts and highlight key points to aid comprehension and future review.

Effective Study Strategies:

• Experiment with various study techniques, such as flashcards, practice tests, and group discussions.
• Identify which methods yield the best results and incorporate them into your routine.

Test Preparation:

• Learn test-taking strategies, including time management, question analysis, and the process of elimination.
• Regularly review and quiz yourself to assess your knowledge.

Stay Informed:

• Keep up with your coursework, attending classes, and actively participating.
• Seek clarification from teachers or peers when you encounter difficulties.

Healthy Lifestyle:

• Maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and get sufficient sleep.
• Physical well-being is closely linked to cognitive performance.

Resources: Study Skills for High School Students

Recommended books and websites.

• “How to Study in High School”
• Study guides and resources on websites like JavaAssignmentHelp, CodeAvail, and CallTutors

Study Apps and Tools

• Notability for note-taking
• Anki for flashcards
• Forest to block distractions

School-Based Resources

• School libraries and librarians
• Academic support services and tutoring programs

Real-Life Success Stories

To inspire high school students, share stories of individuals who improved their study skills and achieved remarkable academic success. Highlight the journey, challenges faced, and the strategies that led to their triumphs.

In conclusion, mastering study skills for high school students is not just a valuable asset; it’s a critical tool for high school students striving for academic excellence and personal growth. 

Effective study skills can help students navigate the challenges of high school, set a strong foundation for college and career success, and equip them with skills that will serve them for a lifetime. 

By implementing the study skills and strategies outlined in this guide, high school students can unlock their full potential and take control of their academic journey.

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Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder

Do you ever feel like your study habits simply aren’t cutting it? Do you wonder what you could be doing to perform better in class and on exams? Many students realize that their high school study habits aren’t very effective in college. This is understandable, as college is quite different from high school. The professors are less personally involved, classes are bigger, exams are worth more, reading is more intense, and classes are much more rigorous. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you; it just means you need to learn some more effective study skills. Fortunately, there are many active, effective study strategies that are shown to be effective in college classes.

This handout offers several tips on effective studying. Implementing these tips into your regular study routine will help you to efficiently and effectively learn course material. Experiment with them and find some that work for you.

Reading is not studying

Simply reading and re-reading texts or notes is not actively engaging in the material. It is simply re-reading your notes. Only ‘doing’ the readings for class is not studying. It is simply doing the reading for class. Re-reading leads to quick forgetting.

Think of reading as an important part of pre-studying, but learning information requires actively engaging in the material (Edwards, 2014). Active engagement is the process of constructing meaning from text that involves making connections to lectures, forming examples, and regulating your own learning (Davis, 2007). Active studying does not mean highlighting or underlining text, re-reading, or rote memorization. Though these activities may help to keep you engaged in the task, they are not considered active studying techniques and are weakly related to improved learning (Mackenzie, 1994).

Ideas for active studying include:

• Create a study guide by topic. Formulate questions and problems and write complete answers. Create your own quiz.
• Become a teacher. Say the information aloud in your own words as if you are the instructor and teaching the concepts to a class.
• Derive examples that relate to your own experiences.
• Create concept maps or diagrams that explain the material.
• Develop symbols that represent concepts.
• For non-technical classes (e.g., English, History, Psychology), figure out the big ideas so you can explain, contrast, and re-evaluate them.
• For technical classes, work the problems and explain the steps and why they work.
• Study in terms of question, evidence, and conclusion: What is the question posed by the instructor/author? What is the evidence that they present? What is the conclusion?

Organization and planning will help you to actively study for your courses. When studying for a test, organize your materials first and then begin your active reviewing by topic (Newport, 2007). Often professors provide subtopics on the syllabi. Use them as a guide to help organize your materials. For example, gather all of the materials for one topic (e.g., PowerPoint notes, text book notes, articles, homework, etc.) and put them together in a pile. Label each pile with the topic and study by topics.

For more information on the principle behind active studying, check out our tipsheet on metacognition .

Understand the Study Cycle

The Study Cycle , developed by Frank Christ, breaks down the different parts of studying: previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying, and checking your understanding. Although each step may seem obvious at a glance, all too often students try to take shortcuts and miss opportunities for good learning. For example, you may skip a reading before class because the professor covers the same material in class; doing so misses a key opportunity to learn in different modes (reading and listening) and to benefit from the repetition and distributed practice (see #3 below) that you’ll get from both reading ahead and attending class. Understanding the importance of all stages of this cycle will help make sure you don’t miss opportunities to learn effectively.

Spacing out is good

One of the most impactful learning strategies is “distributed practice”—spacing out your studying over several short periods of time over several days and weeks (Newport, 2007). The most effective practice is to work a short time on each class every day. The total amount of time spent studying will be the same (or less) than one or two marathon library sessions, but you will learn the information more deeply and retain much more for the long term—which will help get you an A on the final. The important thing is how you use your study time, not how long you study. Long study sessions lead to a lack of concentration and thus a lack of learning and retention.

In order to spread out studying over short periods of time across several days and weeks, you need control over your schedule . Keeping a list of tasks to complete on a daily basis will help you to include regular active studying sessions for each class. Try to do something for each class each day. Be specific and realistic regarding how long you plan to spend on each task—you should not have more tasks on your list than you can reasonably complete during the day.

For example, you may do a few problems per day in math rather than all of them the hour before class. In history, you can spend 15-20 minutes each day actively studying your class notes. Thus, your studying time may still be the same length, but rather than only preparing for one class, you will be preparing for all of your classes in short stretches. This will help focus, stay on top of your work, and retain information.

In addition to learning the material more deeply, spacing out your work helps stave off procrastination. Rather than having to face the dreaded project for four hours on Monday, you can face the dreaded project for 30 minutes each day. The shorter, more consistent time to work on a dreaded project is likely to be more acceptable and less likely to be delayed to the last minute. Finally, if you have to memorize material for class (names, dates, formulas), it is best to make flashcards for this material and review periodically throughout the day rather than one long, memorization session (Wissman and Rawson, 2012). See our handout on memorization strategies to learn more.

It’s good to be intense

Not all studying is equal. You will accomplish more if you study intensively. Intensive study sessions are short and will allow you to get work done with minimal wasted effort. Shorter, intensive study times are more effective than drawn out studying.

In fact, one of the most impactful study strategies is distributing studying over multiple sessions (Newport, 2007). Intensive study sessions can last 30 or 45-minute sessions and include active studying strategies. For example, self-testing is an active study strategy that improves the intensity of studying and efficiency of learning. However, planning to spend hours on end self-testing is likely to cause you to become distracted and lose your attention.

On the other hand, if you plan to quiz yourself on the course material for 45 minutes and then take a break, you are much more likely to maintain your attention and retain the information. Furthermore, the shorter, more intense sessions will likely put the pressure on that is needed to prevent procrastination.

Silence isn’t golden

Know where you study best. The silence of a library may not be the best place for you. It’s important to consider what noise environment works best for you. You might find that you concentrate better with some background noise. Some people find that listening to classical music while studying helps them concentrate, while others find this highly distracting. The point is that the silence of the library may be just as distracting (or more) than the noise of a gymnasium. Thus, if silence is distracting, but you prefer to study in the library, try the first or second floors where there is more background ‘buzz.’

Keep in mind that active studying is rarely silent as it often requires saying the material aloud.

Problems are your friend

Working and re-working problems is important for technical courses (e.g., math, economics). Be able to explain the steps of the problems and why they work.

In technical courses, it is usually more important to work problems than read the text (Newport, 2007). In class, write down in detail the practice problems demonstrated by the professor. Annotate each step and ask questions if you are confused. At the very least, record the question and the answer (even if you miss the steps).

When preparing for tests, put together a large list of problems from the course materials and lectures. Work the problems and explain the steps and why they work (Carrier, 2003).

Reconsider multitasking

A significant amount of research indicates that multi-tasking does not improve efficiency and actually negatively affects results (Junco, 2012).

In order to study smarter, not harder, you will need to eliminate distractions during your study sessions. Social media, web browsing, game playing, texting, etc. will severely affect the intensity of your study sessions if you allow them! Research is clear that multi-tasking (e.g., responding to texts, while studying), increases the amount of time needed to learn material and decreases the quality of the learning (Junco, 2012).

Eliminating the distractions will allow you to fully engage during your study sessions. If you don’t need your computer for homework, then don’t use it. Use apps to help you set limits on the amount of time you can spend at certain sites during the day. Turn your phone off. Reward intensive studying with a social-media break (but make sure you time your break!) See our handout on managing technology for more tips and strategies.

Switch up your setting

Find several places to study in and around campus and change up your space if you find that it is no longer a working space for you.

Know when and where you study best. It may be that your focus at 10:00 PM. is not as sharp as at 10:00 AM. Perhaps you are more productive at a coffee shop with background noise, or in the study lounge in your residence hall. Perhaps when you study on your bed, you fall asleep.

Have a variety of places in and around campus that are good study environments for you. That way wherever you are, you can find your perfect study spot. After a while, you might find that your spot is too comfortable and no longer is a good place to study, so it’s time to hop to a new spot!

Become a teacher

Try to explain the material in your own words, as if you are the teacher. You can do this in a study group, with a study partner, or on your own. Saying the material aloud will point out where you are confused and need more information and will help you retain the information. As you are explaining the material, use examples and make connections between concepts (just as a teacher does). It is okay (even encouraged) to do this with your notes in your hands. At first you may need to rely on your notes to explain the material, but eventually you’ll be able to teach it without your notes.

Creating a quiz for yourself will help you to think like your professor. What does your professor want you to know? Quizzing yourself is a highly effective study technique. Make a study guide and carry it with you so you can review the questions and answers periodically throughout the day and across several days. Identify the questions that you don’t know and quiz yourself on only those questions. Say your answers aloud. This will help you to retain the information and make corrections where they are needed. For technical courses, do the sample problems and explain how you got from the question to the answer. Re-do the problems that give you trouble. Learning the material in this way actively engages your brain and will significantly improve your memory (Craik, 1975).

Take control of your calendar

Controlling your schedule and your distractions will help you to accomplish your goals.

If you are in control of your calendar, you will be able to complete your assignments and stay on top of your coursework. The following are steps to getting control of your calendar:

• On the same day each week, (perhaps Sunday nights or Saturday mornings) plan out your schedule for the week.
• Go through each class and write down what you’d like to get completed for each class that week.
• Look at your calendar and determine how many hours you have to complete your work.
• Determine whether your list can be completed in the amount of time that you have available. (You may want to put the amount of time expected to complete each assignment.) Make adjustments as needed. For example, if you find that it will take more hours to complete your work than you have available, you will likely need to triage your readings. Completing all of the readings is a luxury. You will need to make decisions about your readings based on what is covered in class. You should read and take notes on all of the assignments from the favored class source (the one that is used a lot in the class). This may be the textbook or a reading that directly addresses the topic for the day. You can likely skim supplemental readings.
• Pencil into your calendar when you plan to get assignments completed.
• Before going to bed each night, make your plan for the next day. Waking up with a plan will make you more productive.

See our handout on calendars and college for more tips on using calendars as time management.

Use downtime to your advantage

Beware of ‘easy’ weeks. This is the calm before the storm. Lighter work weeks are a great time to get ahead on work or to start long projects. Use the extra hours to get ahead on assignments or start big projects or papers. You should plan to work on every class every week even if you don’t have anything due. In fact, it is preferable to do some work for each of your classes every day. Spending 30 minutes per class each day will add up to three hours per week, but spreading this time out over six days is more effective than cramming it all in during one long three-hour session. If you have completed all of the work for a particular class, then use the 30 minutes to get ahead or start a longer project.

Use all your resources

Remember that you can make an appointment with an academic coach to work on implementing any of the strategies suggested in this handout.

Works consulted

Carrier, L. M. (2003). College students’ choices of study strategies. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 96 (1), 54-56.

Craik, F. I., & Tulving, E. (1975). Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 104 (3), 268.

Davis, S. G., & Gray, E. S. (2007). Going beyond test-taking strategies: Building self-regulated students and teachers. Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 1 (1), 31-47.

Edwards, A. J., Weinstein, C. E., Goetz, E. T., & Alexander, P. A. (2014). Learning and study strategies: Issues in assessment, instruction, and evaluation. Elsevier.

Junco, R., & Cotten, S. R. (2012). No A 4 U: The relationship between multitasking and academic performance. Computers & Education, 59 (2), 505-514.

Mackenzie, A. M. (1994). Examination preparation, anxiety and examination performance in a group of adult students. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 13 (5), 373-388.

McGuire, S.Y. & McGuire, S. (2016). Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate in Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation. Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Newport, C. (2006). How to become a straight-a student: the unconventional strategies real college students use to score high while studying less. Three Rivers Press.

Paul, K. (1996). Study smarter, not harder. Self Counsel Press.

Robinson, A. (1993). What smart students know: maximum grades, optimum learning, minimum time. Crown trade paperbacks.

Wissman, K. T., Rawson, K. A., & Pyc, M. A. (2012). How and when do students use flashcards? Memory, 20, 568-579.

If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement.

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15 Study Skills You Need and How to Improve Them

Learn what study is, what skills fall under this umbrella and how you can develop them.

The skills you learn in school can help you in any career you choose. Studying hard and developing good study habits can help you get good grades and prepare for college or a career. If you’re looking for ways to improve your study skills, these tips can help you get started.

Time Management

Organization, adaptability, concentration, filtering information, preparation, self-awareness, decision making, research skills, collaboration, reading comprehension, technology competence, how to improve your study skills.

Time management is the ability to plan your day and week so you can complete your tasks. For example, if you have a test on Friday, you can plan to study for two hours each day from Monday to Thursday. This way, you can make sure you have enough time to study and prepare for the test. You can also use time management to plan your breaks and lunches so you can take care of yourself and stay focused.

Organization is the ability to keep track of your materials and assignments. Having a system for your schoolwork can help you stay on track and meet deadlines. For example, you might create a calendar to track due dates for assignments and use a planner to keep track of your assignments and materials. You can also use a planner to keep track of your assignments and materials.

Adaptability is the ability to change your approach to a task or situation. For example, if you’re studying for a test and realize you’re not making the progress you’d like, you can change your study methods to try something new. This is an example of adaptability because you’re changing your study methods to improve your performance. Being adaptable can help you learn and grow in many different situations.

Concentration is the ability to focus on one task at a time. It’s important to be able to concentrate on your studies so you can learn the material and retain it. You can practice your concentration skills by focusing on one task at a time. For example, if you’re reading a book, try to focus on reading the book and not let your mind wander to other thoughts. You can also practice your concentration by meditating or doing yoga.

Filtering information is the ability to discern what information is important and what information is not. This is an important skill for students to have because it can help them save time and stay focused on the task at hand. For example, when reading a textbook, students can use filtering skills to determine which information is most important and should be retained and which information is less important and can be skipped.

Preparation is the process of gathering the resources you need to complete a task. For example, if you’re studying for a test, you may need to prepare by reading the assigned material, taking notes and reviewing past test questions. Preparation is an important study skill because it can help you be more efficient and successful when completing academic tasks. You can practice preparing for upcoming assignments by creating a study plan that outlines the resources you need to complete the task.

Self-awareness is the ability to understand your strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to be self-aware so you can identify your study needs and take steps to improve your skills. For example, if you find you struggle with math, you can seek out resources to help you improve. You can also ask a friend to tutor you in math so you can learn from someone else.

Decision making is the ability to choose the best option from several choices. For example, you might have several options for classes to take, and you need to decide which one to take. You can use decision-making skills when you’re deciding what to do on the weekend or what to study next. You can also use decision-making skills when you’re deciding whether to accept a job offer or apply to another school.

Research skills are the abilities to find and interpret information. They are important for studying because you may need to find information to answer your questions. For example, if you are studying biology, you may need to research the functions of different body systems. You can use research skills to find books, articles and other resources that can help you answer your questions.

Collaboration is the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. This skill is important in the workplace, where you may need to work with others to complete projects. It’s also important in academia, where you may work with classmates to complete group assignments. Collaboration can help you develop leadership skills, as well as communication and negotiation skills.

Dedication is the ability to stay focused on a task for a long period of time. This is an important skill for students to have because it can help them stay focused on their studies and complete their assignments. It’s also important to be dedicated to your education so you can achieve your goals. For example, if you want to get a job in a certain field, you may need to get a college degree. Being dedicated to your studies can help you stay focused on your education so you can graduate and get a job.

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand written text. This skill is important because it allows you to understand course materials and assignments. It also allows you to take notes in class and on readings, which can help you retain information. Reading comprehension can also help you understand the information you need to know to answer test questions.

Passion is the drive that keeps you going when you’re studying. It’s important to find topics that you’re passionate about so you can stay focused and motivated. For example, if you’re passionate about becoming a doctor, you might be more likely to study hard and stay focused on your goals. Passion can also help you overcome challenges when you’re studying. For example, if you’re passionate about learning a new language, you might be more likely to practice and study regularly.

Curiosity is the desire to learn more about a subject. It’s important to be curious about the subjects you study because it can help you remember the information better. For example, if you’re taking a biology class, you might be more likely to remember the information if you’re curious about how the body works. You can also use curiosity to find new ways to learn. For example, if you’re struggling to understand a subject, you can ask your teacher for more information or try a different learning method.

Technology is an important skill for students to develop because it can help them access information, communicate with others and complete assignments. For example, students can use technology to find resources for their schoolwork, such as online textbooks or lecture notes. They can also use technology to communicate with their classmates and teachers, such as through email, text messages or social media. Finally, students can use technology to complete assignments, such as by submitting work electronically or using a computer to create a presentation.

Consider these ways to improve your study skills:

• Figure out your learning style: Everyone learns differently, so it’s important to figure out your learning style. Some people learn best by listening, others by reading, and others through hands-on activities. Once you know your learning style, you can adapt your studying methods to fit you.
• Create a study schedule and stick to it: A good way to make sure you’re studying enough is to create a study schedule and stick to it. This means setting aside specific times each day or week to study and making sure you don’t have any distractions.
• Make a list of things you need to study for each class: When you have a test or an assignment due, it’s helpful to have a list of things you need to study. This will help you make sure you cover all the material.
• Find a study group or a tutor: A study group can be a great way to get help from other students. If you can’t find a study group, consider hiring a tutor.
• Take practice quizzes: Practice quizzes are a great way to make sure you understand the material. Find quizzes online or in textbooks.

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13 Effective Study Strategies to Help Students Learn

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Between kindergarten and twelfth grade, students are expected to learn how to study, schedule their time and complete sizable assignments without procrastinating. Yet these skills often aren’t taught explicitly. With the increased self-sufficiency necessitated by virtual education, educators and parents can help students learn and manage their goals more effectively by directly teaching study skills.

Daniel Willingham , a psychologist at the University of Virginia, studies the application of cognitive psychology in education. He recently spoke at a Learning and the Brain conference about the science behind study techniques.

“Kids are more on their own now than they typically are,” Willingham told MindShift. Students need to independently log in to class on time and maintain focus in their home environments. By explicitly teaching how to avoid distraction, combat procrastination and study effectively, educators entrust students with the necessary skills for educational challenges faced both virtually and in person. 

STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING DISTRACTION

When studying or in virtual class, students may keep their phones nearby and subsequently get distracted by notifications. They might decide to respond to a notification, figuring it can be handled quickly, and then be sucked into a digital rabbit hole. This could amount to missing parts of class or wasting time set aside for homework. Coupled with potential noise distractions , at-home learning environments can test students’ attention spans.

TIP 1: Change Your Space

Willingham encourages students to ask themselves: “Have you made your environment as distraction-free as you can?” While many students’ options are limited during virtual learning, selecting the best location in a home comes from carefully considering one’s personal sources of distraction.

If notifications constantly grab students’ attention, they can turn them off on their phones and laptops. Should a phone’s proximity be a temptation, they can place their phone in another room during class or study time. Non-virtual disturbances, like noise, can be curbed through noise-cancelling headphones or inexpensive foam earbuds. Charting their most common sources of distraction encourages students to be more cognizant about their personal obstacles and take more active roles in their learning.

TIP 2: Don’t Choose Distraction

“Multitasking almost always exacts a cost. So if you add a second task, it is going to reduce the efficiency of that first task,” Willingham said. While students likely recognize that they put less effort into their work when they choose to also watch TV, text or play music, they may underestimate the impact of multitasking on their task’s accuracy and duration. “It's very clear that multitasking is not helping them, even though they mostly think it's fine,” he said.

According to Common Sense Media , 51% of teens and 34% of tweens (ages 8 through 12) watch TV while studying. More than 70% of teens and tweens believe that a TV playing in their environment won’t affect their homework. When it comes to social media, 50% of teens use it while studying, and 69% of teens and tweens believe checking social media won’t impact their work.

Among the forms of multitasking, data is more varied when it comes to playing music while studying. Different studies’ results range from no effect to detrimental impacts to benefits. “Listening to music does distract, so it is taking away from cognition. But the other thing listening to music can do is it can energize,” Willingham said.

Music can boost the autonomic nervous system with emotionally uplifting tracks that can increase heart rates and blood pressure. This can be useful for athletic and potentially academic  motivation. The impact of music may be based on the student’s interest in the task and the challenges of the task itself — a student could choose to press play based on their needs and situation.

TIP 3: Ask “Do You Want Social Media, or Enjoy it?”

Though the brain’s dopamine-carrying mesolimbic pathway was initially theorized as related to situations of pleasure or reward, research from the past decade suggests that the pathway has less to do with reward and more with repetition, regardless of the happiness provided by the task. Over the past decade, social media also became more societally ubiquitous, with more people spending more time online — though not necessarily because social media provides pleasure.

Willingham encourages parents and teachers to ask students whether they enjoy social media, or simply want it — and if they find that divide meaningful. When he posed that question to teens and tweens, many said, “ ‘Once I'm on, it's really not that fun. It's just like there's lots of drama. It's a lot of stuff. It's not interesting. It's people posing. And yet I still feel really compelled for some reason to get on there,’” he said.

The suggestion that there’s a difference between wanting to go on social media and actually enjoying being online may be significant to students. The next time a social media notification appears, they may pause. If they recognize that while they feel pulled to scroll, they don’t typically enjoy the time they spend online, they might choose to not pursue that distraction. 

TIP 4: Plan Breaks

If students find themselves constantly distracted, they might just need a break . Data shows that brief breaks rejuvenate students, allowing them to return to schoolwork with heightened concentration.

Planned breaks are more effective than spontaneous ones, however. Scheduling breaks ensures the pause remains brief and that students return to their work. The Pomodoro Technique provides one example for this, though Willingham stated that there’s no need to follow the specific time allotments of Pomodoro precisely.

Knowing when a break is coming up can also influence motivation: when a student feels tempted to give up, seeing that their next break is in five minutes or less may encourage them to keep up their work until that break. Achieving goals improves self-esteem, allowing students to feel positively about their ability to regulate work habits.

TIP 5: It’s Still School

When students arrive at their virtual classes in PJs, under bed covers and in varied states of wakefulness, they might not as easily accept that they’re in a school setting. “For some kids I know, learning at home doesn't feel like school,” Willingham told MindShift.

In-person school environments are structured to allow for effective learning and to minimize distraction. Outside that context, students may find paying attention more difficult. 

When parents and guardians emphasize that virtual school “is still school,” Willingham said, they can help their students structure their mindsets to tune out disturbances. By encouraging students to prepare for virtual school similarly to how they’d prepare for in-person instruction — by eating breakfast, getting dressed and showing respect for their teachers — parents can help achieve that mindset.

A workshop for parents may be helpful to that end, but educators should be mindful that parents might be more willing to hear this message from another parent. Someone who’s also been dealing with the challenges of raising a child during a global pandemic can help foster a dialogue that feels honest and realistic. 

WHY WE PROCRASTINATE — AND HOW TO FIGHT IT

There are three main reasons why students procrastinate: the task is “ boring”; the task seems overwhelming or impossible; the task provokes fears of failure, causing a student to self-sabotage. Willingham suggests these ways to address and prevent procrastination:

TIP 1: Start work in class

Simply beginning the work makes headway against procrastination. Data from exercise studies show that people tend to underestimate how much they’ll enjoy a given task. Once they begin, they often find that task less boring or overwhelming than predicted.

Teachers can initiate this process by devoting the last five to ten minutes of class time to beginning an upcoming project or paper. Starting the project means that a student is more likely to continue outside of class. This also allows students time to directly ask the questions they need answered in order to begin. 

TIP 2: Use a planner — and make it a habit

When students aren’t told to plan out their work – or shown how to schedule — they tend to struggle. Scheduling portions of a hefty task allows the task to feel more manageable, meaning it won’t loom over students’ heads until the last minute. Teaching students to use a planner means not only teaching them to write down the dates of big exams and projects, but also reminders and scheduled work or study times for chipping away at the task. Repetition and enforcement helps planner usage become a habit. 

Much in the way that large-scale construction projects tend to finish over-schedule and over-budget, people tend to underestimate how much time is required and how many resources are needed for a task. This is because humans generally discount roadblocks they find unlikely — but if there are 50 low-probability events for a given task, there’s a higher probability one of those events will occur. 

“Tell students, ‘When you're doing your planning, whatever time estimate you come up with, double it,’” Willingham said. 

By thinking in terms of time, rather than task, students can pace themselves and prepare for the unexpected. Many students may look at their planners, see that no assignment is due the next day and think they get the night off, only to find themselves staying up late the next night with multiple tasks. Instead, if a student commits to working every day for at least 30 minutes, they’ll have a cushion if anything surprising pops up. 

TIP 3: Practice Breaking Down Tasks

Students need to learn how to break up large tasks into bite-sized chunks . While they’re fully capable of doing this, they might not know how to go about it. Demonstrating and teaching this concept directly can help guide students toward success. 

One way students can practice is by working in small groups to brainstorm strategies for dividing up tasks. This allows teachers to give feedback about different strategies’ efficacies and allows students to crowdsource new approaches. “It's the perfect kind of thing you could do in a Zoom breakout room,” Willingham said. 

Self-sabotaging

Self-sabotaging, also known as self-handicapping, “is the idea that you procrastinate knowing that you're setting yourself up for failure,” Willingham said. 

Separate from the other two reasons for procrastination, self-sabotaging comes from a student’s fear that even if they tried their hardest on an assignment or test, they wouldn’t succeed. They procrastinate in order to give themselves an excuse for a failure they fear is inevitable. A bad grade can be blamed on their “choice” to procrastinate, rather than seen as a true metric of their ability or knowledge.

Teachers can likely guess which of their students possess this fear of failure. They can talk with the student one-on-one, telling the student that they will succeed if they put in the effort. 

Invoking a growth mindset might be helpful here, as might working together to develop a new strategy for the task. This may involve breaking tasks down or troubleshooting together, and then monitoring that student’s progress with the new strategies. Providing continual support allows the student to feel as though their teacher is with them for the long haul.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO STOP STUDYING

Students think they know when to stop studying for an exam: when they feel like they know the material. Humans generally consider ourselves good judges of what we know and don’t know — but we might be worse at this than we think, said Willingham. 

In one study , many participants were quick to say they knew how a toilet worked. But when asked to explain what makes a toilet flush, they found they couldn’t. This points to a common misunderstanding of memory. We think that if we quickly scan our minds and see a concept, we know that concept and could explain it if we tried. But sometimes, we’re only vaguely familiar with how toilets work.

“People actually are not so good at knowing what they know,” Willingham said. 

TIP 1: Feeling That You Know Something Is Not Reliable

When students assess whether they know a topic, they should consider whether they’re only familiar with it. The scientific definition of familiarity is knowing that one has seen a stimulus before, but possessing few other pieces of knowledge about it. Familiarity allows us to operate quickly — we assume we could say more about the topic if we thought about it. “Partial access” provides a similar fallacy — sometimes when we know a few things about a topic, we assume we know it in full. 

Recollection, conversely, involves deeper mental associations and the ability to explain something rather than simply recognize it. While a student may feel they know a concept when they read a line of their notes, close their eyes and immediately repeat that line back, checking back after time has passed ensures that the knowledge isn’t only stored in short-term memory.  Students can test whether they know a concept by stepping away from their notes for a half-hour or more and then self-testing. 

TIP 2: Studying Until You Know Is Not Enough

Though a student may feel they can stop studying once they receive 100% on a practice test, this score may not ensure success on the actual exam. “What they've forgotten is that forgetting happens,” Willingham said. 

To protect themselves against forgetting, Willingham encourages students to plan their studying so that it includes time to study even after mastering a self-test. By including a buffer between self-test mastery and the actual exam, students can continue practicing the concept, reducing the likelihood of forgetting material during that time. 

This may involve using the scheduling techniques mentioned above. Students can be encouraged to save roughly 20% of their study time for this buffer, meaning that mastery should be achieved by the penultimate night before the exam so that the night before can be used for review.

TIP 3: Creating Study Materials Is Studying

Students might forego creating their own study materials if they find resources online that are similar enough, believing this would allow them to begin studying “sooner.” 

“They don't realize creating their own study materials is actually a really, really effective way of studying,” Willingham said. 

Making their own study guides, flashcards or Quizlets not only allows students to review their notes, but ensures the materials they use are on-topic and accurate — as opposed to a readily accessible Quizlet made by a stranger. 

TIP 4: “Knowing” Means Being Able To Explain

A student might believe they “know” a concept but can’t explain it. Often, this comes from the idea that the student couldn't comprehend the teacher’s first explanation of the concept, but with further review, readings and questions, the concept now makes sense — when the teacher explains it. This student wouldn’t feel able to put the concept in their own words or thoroughly discuss it.

Tell students that “knowledge” doesn’t mean that a concept only makes sense when reading about it or hearing it explained – it means being able to explain it oneself. This ensures that students define knowledge with the correct criterion and can more confidently determine when they know a concept.

TIP 5: Use In-class Queries

Quick tests that require students to produce knowledge allow them to check their understanding of a concept. These can involve clickers, Zoom polls or exit tickets, as well as Zoom breakout rooms or small-group discussions based on producing knowledge or demonstrating specific skills. Interactions like this allow a student to see if they actually know a concept or require more studying. They allow teachers to take note of their classes’ levels of understanding, too.

These management techniques can help bolster students working with heightened autonomy during virtual learning. When teachers, parents and caregivers directly explain and model these strategies, they provide students with tools to use the next time they feel distracted, pulled to procrastinate or unsure if they’re ready for an exam. With these tools, students can learn how to address these situations independently — and how to ask for the specific support they need.

The Pathway 2 Success

Solutions for Social Emotional Learning & Executive Functioning

Tips for Teaching Study Skills

July 22, 2019 by pathway2success 1 Comment

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Good study habits and techniques are critical to help students learn more efficiently, feel more academically confident, persevere through challenges, and ultimately do their best. Sometimes, it’s easy to assume that learners already have these skills intact. The truth is that they sometimes don’t; many learners might not actually know how to study for tests or how to keep their binders organized. While these skills can be a challenge for many students, they are skills that can be improved over time.

If you notice some of your students are struggling with basic study skills and habits, make time to address and teach the skills. You can choose to dedicate time during morning meeting, resource room, or even a separate study skills class. Whatever you choose, make a schedule and stick with it. Teaching these skills early on is important for help all learners do their best. I’ve put together a list of ideas and resources, but check out this yearlong Executive Functioning and Study Skills activities set if you want to get started on teaching these skills right away.

Here are some simple tips, tricks, and strategies you can use to help students develop study skills in your classroom:

Build relationships first. Simply put, learning new study strategies can be tough for kids and young adults. It’s always worth spending extra time early on to develop strong relationships. Not only will this help you to get to know your students, but it will help them to persevere and succeed in your class. Use these strategies to focus on building relationships with your learners.

Know your learners. Before getting started on teaching study skills, assess what your students know first. One helpful place to start is using this free Study Skills Checklist . It can be a great tool to help students develop self-awareness about their skills, while also giving you critical data on what you need to teach.

Teach how to study for tests and quizzes. Spend time teaching a variety of different study strategies for success: taking notes, quizzing yourself, making flashcards, having a partner quiz you, re-doing problems, and more. Different strategies are going to work for different learners, so it’s important that all students are exposed to several activities.

Practice studying just to learn. Sometimes students think that studying is only important when a test or quiz is coming up. Instead, help kids embrace the idea that studying is part of the learning process. Studying just to learn can help reduce the amount of time students will have to study when a test or quiz comes up, and it helps them to learn the material better in the first place.

Practice study skills with current curriculum. Sometimes, students feel like learning study skills is a waste of time for them. They would rather be getting homework done or chatting with friends on their downtime One way to make the study skills meaningful for kids and young adults is to help them apply them right away with current classwork. If you are learning how to make flashcards, use current vocabulary terms. When teaching about time management, practice with a project kids are actually working on. Using current curriculum along with teaching the skills can make it more meaningful and memorable.

Teach about the power of habits and routines. Students can benefit greatly from understanding how important our habits are. Spend time discussing and highlighting some current habits students already have (brushing their teeth in the morning or cleaning up their trays after lunch). These tasks are much easier when they just become part of our everyday routines. This can eventually encourage students to develop habits for writing homework down, organizing their binders, and studying for tests.

Teach executive functioning skills. Study skills are inherently linked with executive functioning skills. Students can benefit greatly from improving skills with planning, organization, self-control, attention, flexibility, perseverance, and more. Most importantly, teach students that they can often improve these skills over time with practice and hard work. If you could use more background knowledge on these skills, catch up on a basic understanding of executive functioning skills in this blog post.

Teach time management. Understanding how to manage time well is a powerful skill. Teach about understanding time by having students estimate how long a task will take (such as doing 10 jumping jacks or walking to get a drink and back). Then, have students actually perform the task and check how close their estimate was. You can easily relate this back to having students consider how long tasks will take by thinking about what they have to do and then reflecting on their progress along the way. Read more about strategies and interventions for time management skills .

Discuss what it means to prioritize. Prioritizing is the ability to determine which order tasks should be completed in . This is a critical skill, but can be challenging, especially when students are juggling many different responsibilities. Talk through some examples and discuss: You have a test tomorrow and a big project due in two weeks. What should you do? Having students problem-solve these types of scenarios can help them understand how to prioritize in the future.

Practice making test and quizzes. Have students get into the mind of a teacher by creating their own test and quizzes for class content. This can help them consider what material might be on an actual test or quiz, making them better at studying and knowing what is important.

Teach organization. One of the most important study skills is learning how to be organized. Spend time explicitly teaching learners how to organize materials, schedules, and projects. If you are interested specifically in organization, use this Organization Boot Camp to help get kids’ organization skills in shape. You can also start with this free organization activity to get going right away.

Revisit organization on a weekly basis. Even after teaching the basic skills for organization , it is important for students to make organization a weekly practice. Choose one time a week (such as Friday afternoon or whenever time you have available) and dedicate that time to re-organizing materials.

Set up a homework binder (or folder). One helpful strategy for many learners is setting up a homework folder or binder that goes everywhere with them. This folder contains all current homework that needs to be done or needs to be turned in. Simply label a folder “Done” and “To Do” on each side. This is an especially helpful tip for students who lose or misplace assignments. Use this free homework binder to get your students started.

Teach how to write homework down. I know this example sounds silly, but many learners don’t know how to write homework down in an organized and consistent way. Practice what it means to write homework down accurately and explain why it is important. Doing daily or weekly homework log checks are helpful, too.

Find study buddies. No matter the age, all students should have one or two classmates to reach out to for support with homework and studying. This is a critical skill that helps build independence. When a student isn’t sure what page the homework was or didn’t understand the math lesson, it can be a good option to reach out to a classmate instead of always depending on the adults.

Teach goal-setting. All students should learn how to create action-oriented plans to reach their individual goals. This is a study skill, but also a life skill! Help students brainstorm and come up with one or two SMART goals that they want to accomplish in a short time-frame. Then, revisit those goals on a regular basis to make sure progress is being made.

Play games. Learning and improving study skills can be tough for learners. With this, games are always a helpful strategy to sneak in more learning opportunities. You can actually play any game while practicing study strategies. Just put questions for an upcoming test or quiz on flashcards. Each time a student takes a turn, they need to pick up a card and answer! If you’re looking for something more, I developed an Executive Functioning Challenge Game that students can play again and again to practice their skills.

Chunk projects and long-term assignments. Long-term assignments can be particularly overwhelming for kids and young adults. Teach students how to break them apart into smaller and more manageable chunks. Giving mini-deadlines along the way also helps students stay on track.

Teach stress management. Simply put, school is stressful for kids and young adults. It’s critical to help students learn coping strategies to help them deal with their feelings in more healthy ways. Spend some time discussing how to exercise, journal, read, practice mindfulness, and more. Grab this free list with 100 coping strategies to give you even more ideas.

Help students develop a study space. Every student should have a designated study space at home and at school to help them accomplish homework and assignments. While these study spaces might look different for every learner, having this area can help keep students organized and consistent.

Have a daily check-in and check-out. Spend just 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each day to help students get organized, check to see if they have what they need, and make a plan for the day. Do the same in the afternoon to make sure students have a plan for homework and studying after school. The goal is for students to check-in with themselves on their own, but this needs to be taught and practiced to make that happen

Practice taking brain breaks. All students need a mental break from time to time. Encourage students to check-in with themselves and notice when they need one of themselves. Practice different types of brain breaks, from exercising to practicing mindfulness. Use these free mindfulness coloring pages to have a brain break that is ready to go.

Engage in class discussions. Part of learning how to study well is problem-solving when challenges come up. Encourage students to talk through issues and brainstorm solutions together. For example, ask students what they might do when they have a lot of homework but also have basketball practice at 6:00 pm. Ask students what they might do if they have a big homework assignment due tomorrow but they can’t remember the page. Start by just asking the question and letting your students guide their way through. These executive functioning task cards are perfect to guide discussions on a variety of topics or you can come up with your own questions on the fly!

Practice the art of memorization. Sometimes studying involves memorizing certain dates or vocabulary words. These are skills that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. Have fun teaching this skill by memorizing lists, lyrics, numbers, and more.

If you find yourself in need for lessons and activities to teach study skills, check out my yearlong Executive Functioning and Study Skills set. It includes everything you need to teach the skills kids need for success from how to study, get organized, develop SMART goals, and much more.

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September 9, 2019 at 3:20 am

thank you i hope this is helpful

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⭐ Kristina 💖 SEL & Executive Functioning 💻 Blogger at www.thepathway2success.com 👩‍🏫 Special Educator turned Curriculum Specialist Links here 👇

Study skills (Learning Development)

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• Study skills checklist Use this study skills checklist to assess how confident you are when it comes to key academic and self-management skills.

Use this toolkit to help you complete the different stages of the assignment process. It provides information on which study skills to develop, academic offences to avoid, links to resources, and the support available in the library.

Individual assessments should be entirely your own work. You are not permitted to work with other students on the same assignment.

Understanding the assignment brief

You need to understand what you are being asked to do before you can research or write an assignment.

• Is there an assignment brief, learning outcomes or additional guidance?
• What type of assignment is it? Is it an essay, report, problem question?
• Highlight key words, terms, and concepts.  This will help you identify the topic and area you need to focus on.

As you pull the assignment question apart, write down the different strands to explore, along with any keywords and areas that you are not familiar with. Think about what your initial response to the question would be.

Skills to develop:

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Preliminary reading

You will need to do some preliminary reading around the topic. Look at your online reading list and the notes you have taken as you will have covered the main theme in your lectures and seminars.

• Do an initial search on the library website for books and articles that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Make notes on the key elements and identify keywords and phrases to help you research.
• Continue to think about how you are going to answer the question.
• Start to make a basic plan consisting of the main points.
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The first two steps will give you a deeper understanding of the topic, and ideas on what to focus on to answer the different strands to the question. Using the list of keywords and phrases collated when breaking down your assignment question and during your preliminary reading, you can begin to find evidence to support your ideas and themes.

The best place to start your research is the advanced search on the library website . The library website provides access to a large collection of books, ebooks and journal articles that are not freely available on the internet, and you can be confident when searching that all literature found is a good academic source. To get the best from your search:

• Develop a search strategy by writing down a list of keywords and phrases you can use in your research.
• Expand your list by considering alternatives.
• Start your research by typing one or two keywords into either the main search box or the Advanced Search on the library website.
• Add additional keywords to reduce the number of documents retrieved.
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Planning and writing

When you have found and read a variety of literature you can begin to think about what themes you are going to discuss. Create your assignment structure (introduction, main body and conclusion) and plan what you are going to discuss in the main body, which ideas/themes you are going to include and what order they should appear in. Try to ensure that the main body flows by introducing themes in a logical order. The text in the body of the essay should be broken down into paragraphs, with each paragraph covering one main point. Consider the evidence you are going to use to support your main points. A detailed plan will make it easier to start the actual writing. You don’t always have to start with the introduction. You may find it easier to focus on the ideas/themes in the main body before writing the introduction and conclusion.

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Referencing

Referencing is important in academic writing and an essential part of any of your assessments. It:

• allows you to acknowledge your sources
• gives academic credibility to your work
• demonstrates your knowledge of a subject area
• prevents accusations of plagiarism.

You should always reference a source when:

• direct quoting
• summarising a theory
• discussing someone else's opinion
• using case studies
• using statistics or visual data
• but not when stating your own opinion, observation or experience.

Don’t underestimate how long referencing takes. Ensure you have all the information and a basic understanding of the required format. Provide a reference every time you include information that is not your own. Failure to do this is plagiarism, an academic offence. Check your references against the examples given in the relevant referencing handbook. Click here for more information on referencing.

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Editing and proof-reading

It is important to edit and proof-read both the main part of your assignment and your references. The university does not provide a proof-reading service, but you can get support with how to edit and proof-read your work. As you are proof-reading, ask yourself:

• Have I met the assignment brief and learning outcomes?
• Is my writing clear and in a logical order?
• How to edit and proof-read
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