STUDY TIPS FOR BUSY STUDENTS
BY ANGELIKA GARRETT
Student Studying. iStock.
With exam season comes plenty of anticipation, worry, and stress. As students prepare to take AP tests, or finals, or anything else they may have to do, it can be difficult to know how to study effectively while balancing other areas of life. So, below are some tips, from high school students, on making time for studying while managing stress.
Organization is key. It’s hard to remember everything you have to do in the moment, so budgeting your time and planning ahead are essential. An anonymous student, who is taking the AP Physics exam in May, also has to juggle it with being on their school’s track and field team. “Practice is very time consuming. It can go on to like six or seven, and that doesn't leave me a lot of time to study at home,” they admit. This makes it really important that they find other times in the day to study, such as during lunch.
Another student, also taking an AP exam, says “it's just really important that you use your time wisely.” They also have to balance studying with extracurriculars. “I do ballet, so I usually don't get back to my house until like eight.” Their schedule doesn’t allow much time for schoolwork. “I have to make sure that I'm using my time when I'm at home wisely and actually study and do my homework.” To remind them to do their work, they’ll sometimes set a timer earlier in the day for when they get home from practice. “And then when it goes off, I know exactly what I need to do and I remember to do everything.” Digital tools, such as calendars, reminders, and timers, are great for planning when to study and preventing forgetfulness. Organization can also help manage stress and anxiety.
Test anxiety, which is incredibly common, has also been linked to poorer performance, according to a review published in the Journal of School Psychology. Thankfully, there are ways to manage it. “I love to stress out a lot about things,” one student says. However, they try to remind themself, “It’s never as bad as you think it is.” Along with positive affirmations, another student says that, while studying is important, one shouldn’t neglect other areas of their life. As much as they can, they should continue doing things they used to do. Balancing those things with studying is where organization and planning ahead come in.
Most students don’t have only school to think about. They’re involved in extracurriculars, whether it’s clubs, sports, a part-time job, or more than one of those things. That’s why it’s so important to know not just how to study, but how to make time for it and manage any exam-induced anxiety and stress.
