Academic Resources

General Study-Skill Tips:

1. Set up a daily time and place to study, stick to your schedule.
2. Write down homework assignments, tests and projects along with due dates in a consistent spot. Schedule out your study sessions in your planner.
3. Review your notes and handouts on a daily basis.
4. Begin test preparation well before the test arrives (not the night before!). Reviewing small amounts of information multiple times means you’ll be more likely to remember.
5. Always look for new study-skills habits/strategies that may work for you.

 

First: Set yourself up for productive studying by taking good notes and keeping up with textbook reading

Note-Taking Tips:

Good note-taking habits can improve your ability to learn and shorten your time when preparing for a test.

1. Listen carefully to the teacher.
2. Always write down things the teacher:
   1. Writes on the board.
   2. Says are important to remember.
   3. Says over and over and over again.
3. Take your notes in outline form and write clearly! Use abbreviations for words you know you’ll remember so you can keep up (for example “cont’d” for continued.
4. Add examples, page numbers or reminders next to your notes to help you understand and remember information later.
5. Leave room on your paper to expand or add to your notes after class. Rewrite or reorganize notes if needed, could map out info in a way that makes sense to you.

Textbook Reading Tips:

Being able to read for content and take notes out of your textbook will allow for better understanding of big ideas and the vocabulary of the unit you are studying.

1. Get the “Big Picture” first by glancing through chapter headings and subheadings.
2. Skim pages if you are looking for a general idea.
3. Read slowly if you are looking for details.
4. Read the summary paragraphs at the end of each section or chapter to get the general idea.
5. Take notes while reading to have with you during class. Include questions in your notes and clarify with teacher if your questions weren’t answered during class.

During Studying: Figure out a study strategy (or multiple) that work for you. If you try a strategy for a test that does not work, try a different one next time. Ask your teacher for suggestions. Common strategies include:

1. Filling out Study Guides (teacher provided, textbook, or make your own)
2. Flashcards (notecards or online)
3. Rewriting key information and vocab
4. Rereading and highlighting notes, quizzes, materials from class and readings
5. Studying out loud with group or on own (could do this with notecards)
6. Try to predict exam questions and practice answering them

Keeping Focused While Studying Tips:

Keeping your body healthy and alert will make studying much easier and allow you to retain more information.

1. If possible, find a quiet place to study, ask for no distractions, and leave your phone and computer in a different room.
2. Don’t wait to start studying until late in the night, your brain will be tired.
3. Eat a healthy snack or meal before you start studying so you won’t be distracted by hunger.
4. Set a goal for your study session (e.g. ‘I’m going to review my stack of flashcards twice’, or ‘I’m going to reread Chapter 5’)
5. When you’ve made some progress (30-45 minutes), take a 10 minute break to do something active, go for a walk or dance along to a song to wake up your body.
6. After your break, go back to studying. Review your notes to get a fresh start on your subject.
7. Ask for help from your teacher if you get confused while studying material (if you start in advance you have more opportunity to do this).

Tips from Reagan Teachers by Subject for Successful Studying

Intro-to-Design:

• Study with your group you did your recent project with
• Use your notes

English 9:

• Read and annotate your texts
• Know literary terms and definitions
• Complete vocabulary activities and use quizlet or flashcards
• Practice reading a variety of texts and analyzing why the author made certain choices.

Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2:

• Seek out tutoring on Khan Academy, ACP, After School
• Use your notes.

Biology:

• Keep accurate notes.
• Create flash cards of key vocabulary terms and processes.
• Use study guides to prepare for test and quizzes.
• Save all tests and quizzes to help you for the final exams. 
  Review Exit questions before all tests. 

Citizenship:

• Use quizlet to help for vocabulary.
• Plan out your writing.
• Annotate and summarize readings.

Spanish and French:

• Use online resources from your teacher’s website
• Use quizlet to study or make flashcards
• Rewrite your notes and vocabulary
• Practice, Practice, Practice. 

Art:

• Work on assignments a little bit each day. Do not wait until the night before to try to do it all.
• Watch tutorials on teacher’s website.

Theater:

• Actively participate to develop your character.
• Find a good method to help your memorization.

Band, Choir, Orchestra:

• Practice outside of class.
• Use resources teacher has provided on website.

Health: 

• Check teacher’s website to stay on top of things.
• Use study guides to review.
• Save reviews for final exams.

Physical Education:

• Use study guides for review
• Research units on the internet.
• On Scantrons: A=True B=False