By the FCS Counseling Team and presented by Sean Scott (Editor-in-chief ‘25)
The second semester of the year has arrived. It is a fresh start halfway through the school year and a chance to reflect on what worked well and what to improve upon from the first semester. As academics are full steam ahead, it is important for students to have
dependable study habits to see them through the end of the school year. This article is meant to be a resource for students to learn such study habits, and they come straight from our very own Counseling Team.
Effective Study Habits:
Tip #1
Create a quiet, neat study area. Distractions and clutter interfere with studying. Select a quiet spot where you are unlikely to be interrupted and organize it so that you can study efficiently. If space is cramped at home, use a corner of the local library or other suitable spot as your study haven.
Tip #2
Study from good notes. Your study sessions will only be productive if you are studying from a legible and complete set of notes. If your notes are incomplete, see if your teacher has a loaner set of master class notes that you can review to get the missing information, or ask a classmate who takes thorough notes if you can borrow them.
Tip #3
Use bits of unexpected free time to study. Carry “pocket work” with you to review whenever you have a few minutes of free time. For example, have a set of index cards with course notes on hand that you can conveniently pull out and look at during spare moments.
Tip #4
Make a study schedule to avoid time-drains. People often don’t realize how much time they spend on activities such as watching TV, surfing the Internet, talking with friends on the phone, and so on. If we aren’t careful, our leisure activities may ‘drain away’ time that could have been better used for studying. Create a general study schedule, with time set aside for fun activities. Then, be sure to limit those fun activities to the time allotted.
Tip #5
Take advantage of your peak energy levels. Pick the time of day when you tend to have the most energy and try to schedule your study sessions at this time. Also, study your most challenging material first, while you are still fresh. When you study at the same time each day, you will also find that studying begins to turn into a habit!
Tip #6
Create a study group. Gather together classmates to form a study group. Groups can make studying more fun. Another advantage of a group is that its members can consult multiple sets of notes whenever a course concept is unclear. (Just be sure that your group takes studying seriously and doesn’t spend too much time socializing!)
Reducing Test Anxiety:
Tip #1
Remember to take care of yourself first. You should be sure to eat healthy foods and to get enough sleep before a test. After all, sleepy, hungry people are not in the best frame of mind to perform well on tests! You may also want to engage in moderate physical activity or exercise prior to taking the test to reduce body tension. A student who gets a full night’s sleep, goes for a jog, and eats a balanced breakfast before the test will improve their odds of doing their best on an exam and avoiding testing jitters.
Tip #2
Take practice exams. People are less likely to become anxious when doing something that is familiar. If your instructor allows you to take practice exams, take advantage of the opportunity to study the tests and become familiar with their format and style. During a study period, take the practice exam under the same conditions as the real exam. (For example, if notes are not allowed during the test, do not look at your notes when taking the practice exam, or if the test is timed, observe the same time limit when completing the practice exam.)
Tip #3
Make an effort to relax periodically during the test. During a test, you may feel yourself becoming tense or nervous. Whenever you feel the tension building, take a brief relaxation break, using whatever method works for you. Here are some simple ideas:
Take several deep breaths, exhaling slowly after each one. Visualize the tension draining from your body as you breathe out.
Tense your muscles and hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times.
Think of a peaceful, quiet setting (e.g., the beach). Imagine yourself calm and relaxed in that setting.
Tip #4
Engage in positive self-talk. Replace irrational negative thinking with positive self-talk. When you have studied hard for a test, for example, your confidence will be shaken if you think negative thoughts such as “I don’t have a chance of passing this exam!” Instead, adopt an upbeat but realistic attitude: “I prepared carefully for this test. If I do my best, I have a good chance of passing it.” One more tip: If your friends are nervous about the test, try to avoid talking with them about it. You don’t want their anxiety to rub off on you!
Also try these three Instagram accounts: academicstudying, studychocolemon, and academicaadi. They offer tips around note taking, studying, etc. in short explanations that are easy to understand.
Another useful tactic is the Pomodoro Technique, which uses a system of focused productivity and incorporated breaks to maximize efficiency.
Incorporating even a few of these study tips will yield worthwhile results. So take a look, give them a try, and watch your academic success soar to new heights.