How I Study for Every Class
Studying is probably one of students’ LEAST favorite things to do. A lot of times, it seems like a waste of time because it’s so boring and tedious and sometimes it might not even help on the test or quiz that you spent hours preparing for. I used to feel like that, but after a lot of trial and error I have created methods to effectively and (relatively) painlessly study for every subject.
There’s no need for you to go through the same trial and error as I did, so here is How I Study for Every Class:
Math
Math seems to be the most hated subject to study for, but it is actually my favorite. Most of the time, there isn’t much vocabulary or a list of facts to memorize for a math test, but rather a set of a few types of problems that you need to be able to solve. The way that I study for math tests is super simple: I just do problems. Usually, my teacher will give me some practice problems, maybe even a practice test, and I’ll do those without using any notes or help. If I get them wrong, I’ll do them again or redo my homework problems. I’ll keep doing problems, over and over, until I am totally confident that I can tackle every type of problem on the test.
English
Unlike Math, English has a lot of vocabulary and facts to memorize. Flashcards are the way to go in this case. On my flashcards, I will write vocabulary terms with definitions, characters’ names with descriptions, symbols with their meanings, and anything else that may be relevant. Make sure to know every term forwards and backwards, going through the deck of flashcards one or two times after you feel ready. Additionally, I will try to find a willing friend or family member to explain the plot of the literature that I am being tested on, just to make sure that I know the most important details and address anything that I have forgotten.
History
Like English, I will use flashcards to study major figures, battles, literature, and dates, but I have found that knowing those things is only a piece of studying for history. To make all of the connections between events (understand the significance, identify cause and effect, etc.), I try to find a willing helper. I’ll ask them to go through my notes with me, letting me explain all the major events and connect them all. I essentially tell the story of whatever I have learned and ask them to fact check me. If I can’t find a helper, I will write the questions that I would want to be asked by the helper, then write the answers to the questions, then confer with my notes to check myself. It may seem silly to answer your own questions, but if you give yourself some time in between generating the questions and answering them, it has actually proven to be quite helpful.
Science
Science, to me, is a lot like Math and English and History combined. If there are any calculations involved in the science we have been learning, I do practice problems just like with Math. If there are terms I need to know, I use flashcards like in English. And like history, I try to ask a helper to let me explain how and why things happen. For instance, I will explain why the boiling point of water is lower in the mountains than at the beach, and how you can prove it with the math. And, again, if a partner isn’t available you can always write questions and answers out.
Languages
I take Spanish, but I think that learning most foreign languages is very similar. I use flashcards (if you haven’t noticed, I am a big fan of flashcards) to memorize the foreign words and phrases, making sure to go forwards and backwards. I especially like to use Quizlet flashcard decks for foreign languages because the program allows you to spell the words. To study grammar topics, I make myself a set of rules for each grammar topic. Many times there is a formula or pattern to follow with Spanish grammar, so I will memorize said formula or pattern.
As always, leave a comment with questions, thoughts, and suggestions for the future!