Tests, and the studying that is needed to prepare for tests, can be very stressful and overwhelming for students. Most of the time, students don’t know where to start with all their class materials or how to study the materials in an effective manner.But with our six study tips for students, they can learn effective habits, strategies and how to do their best on tests!

1. Begin Studying Now— Studying should be an ongoing process. Set aside a few minutes every night to review what you learned in class that day. Choose a different topic or area to study each night. For example, one night you might study vocabulary, while on another, you might study key dates.

2. Note-Taking Skills — Students should use different types of graphic organizers and outlines to help organize the information in meaningful ways. This will help students identify the key points and make connections between ideas. This, in turn, will help students synthesize, process and then recall information.

3. Know What to Expect — When you know you have a test coming up and want to know how to study for it, make sure you understand your teacher’s expectations. Pay attention when your teacher discusses expectations, and always ask questions if anything is unclear.

 4. Create a Study Guide — While your teachers may provide study guides, it is smart to get in the habit of creating your own. Use old tests and quizzes to create your own practice tests or study guides based on the materials, format and question styles that will be assessed or that your teacher will use.

5. Break it Down — Once you have organized your notes and know the target of the test or quiz, it’s time to prepare for test day. Review your materials by sections or topics and start reviewing them part by part. Use different strategies to study different types of information or school subjects. Once you feel as if you have a certain topic covered, move on to the next.

6. Study with a Group—Work with one classmate or multiple classmates to prepare for an assessment. Also consider scheduling a regular time each week to review material as a group. Think of creative ways to work together to test your knowledge of the content. For example, you might create games to help test your knowledge and help boost each other’s confidence.

It’s also important to realize that what works for one student may not work for another. Figure out what works for you, and build on those study skills and strategies over time. If you need help figuring out what study skills are best for you, Sylvan’s expert tutors can help you work on study skills and build confidence!