written by Danielle Sherman
This pandemic has thrown us all for a loop—not only socially but academically, and I understand the transition between in-person and online school proved challenging for many. Still, this new way of learning is only another reason to stay focused and organized. If you don’t use a planner already, now is the time to start with one; multiple learning platforms make it easier to forget an assignment due date, so that’s where a designated place to record deadlines will come in handy.
Another way of keeping organized is to complete your work the day it is assigned, rather than wait until the second day allowed by this new block schedule. That way, you’ll be less likely to forget, the information you learned will still be fresh in your head, and you can focus on your next classes the following day rather than worrying about other tasks.
When it comes to actual studying, I recommend doing so without looking at screens if you can. Since we’ve already spent a significant amount of time staring into our phones or laptops, we can easily skip over the text or content we’re trying to absorb from the computer (too much screen time can hurt our eyes as well). Because of this, I find it helpful to use other sources—notebooks, textbooks, packets—and print out any materials I originally received online.
Studying methods vary from person to person, and everyone learns differently, but I think having a consistent system can definitely help make the process easier. Here are the steps of my own study routine:
Talk through your notes, reading them out loud and quizzing yourself along the way.
Review your supplementary materials such as homework, in-class worksheets, or assigned textbook reading.
If there is a way you can test yourself (quizlet flashcards, sample problems, previous test questions, etc.), practice those and check your answers.
Clear up any remaining questions about the material. Consult your friends, the Internet, and even your teachers (but don’t ask them the night before, they may not appreciate that or may not respond).
Repeat step 1! Then take a break, and make sure you’ve taken a quick break for every half hour you study.
Of course, your methods are completely up to you and dependent on what works best; this is only meant as a guide. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in your classes!
I totally agree that having a planner is super important!
This is really helpful! I think it is helpful for me to test myself using quizlet. :)
While it is important to review your notes, it is even more important to try to recall that information without looking at your notes.
Super helpful! Thanks! :D