How Can I Improve My Study Habits?

Many teens out there have had the experience of struggling with a particular subject at school, with feeling anxious or unprepared before a test, or with feeling unsure about why learning and achieving at school can feel so difficult at times. So with most of the school year still ahead, what better time to make sure that you are starting off on a good foot when it comes to your academics and not frequently having these kinds of unpleasant experiences? Read on to learn what may be getting in the way for you at school, and what you can do about it.  

There is a lot to stay on top of in school these days – papers and tests, learning a tremendous amount of information in many different subjects all at once, and balancing school work with extra-curricular activities. It is no wonder that teens can feel stressed out and overwhelmed at times, and understandable that any obstacles to learning and doing well in school are going to feel particularly frustrating. And these obstacles can be a lack of effective and productive study habits, learning disorders, or mental health issues – all of which can interfere with learning. 

Study Habits

Some teens have difficulty in school, or in particular subjects, because they simply have not learned helpful study habits. So below FX has listed some tips to help you improve your study habits:

• Spend some time studying for not just one, but a few nights before your exam. That will help you to feel more confident and knowledgeable about the material.
• Do a quick review of the material the day of the test – whether in the morning before you leave for school, or during a lunch period or study hall before your exam. This is not when you want to get the bulk of your studying done – but more of a quick reminder of the things you have already learned.
• Find someone who can help you study – a friend, parent, or tutor. Have that person take your textbook and/or notes and ask you to explain in detail about the material that will be on the test.
• Write flashcards out for yourself for studying. For example, if you are studying about the world wars in history, write WWI on the front of card and then on the back write the key details about the war that you need to know for your test. Then take the cards, and while only looking at the front of the card, recite to yourself what you know about the topic. Keep going through the cards until you know enough by memory that you barely have to check the information on the back of the card.
• Find a quiet place to study – whether your room, a home office, the local library – but be a in a place where you will not be distracted by other people, phones, the television, etc.
• Keep a date book or calendar readily available and write down when you plan on doing what assignments. This can help you to break down larger assignments so that you are not feeling overwhelmed in one sitting with a lengthy project. In addition, it can help you to be sure that you have scheduled when to study and do homework in a way that will not interfere with social or extra-curricular commitments.

Dealing With Anxiety Before Tests

Many teens experience test-taking anxiety, especially in the subjects that tend to feel difficult for them. If you feel nervous the morning of your test (which is sometimes why people go blank and forget what they have studied), consider doing the following:

• Say positive things to yourself about how you will do on the test. Our thoughts can definitely influence our feelings and behaviors – so if we keep telling ourselves we are going to relax, remember everything, and do well on the test, there is a much greater chance that we will rather than if we are telling ourselves that we are going to forget everything, mess up again, fail the test, and ruin our GPA. So think positive thoughts!
• Do some deep breathing the morning of your test, right before your test, during the test, or any other time you start to feel anxious about it. Make sure you are taking deep breaths that make your stomach, rather than your chest, rise. To learn how to do this it can help to put a hand on your chest and a hand on your stomach – when you breathe in the hand on your stomach should be the one rising rather than the hand on your chest. Breathe in for the count of anywhere between 3 and 5, and out for the same count. This relaxation technique can be very helpful for reducing anxiety.

Issues Around Learning That Can Interfere With Taking Tests

Some people find that they have difficulties learning a particular subject – like algebra or chemistry. Other people have specific learning disabilities – processing problems or dyslexia – that can interfere with academics in general. Either way, there are tutors and other professionals who can help people with specific learning needs to develop special learning methods that will help them to excel in school. So if you find that a particular subject is difficult for you to understand, or something makes learning in general more challenging for you, consider talking to a counselor at school and/or your parents so that arrangements can be made for you to get the help you need.

Mental Health Issues That Can Interfere With Taking Tests

If you are worried that there are issues beyond study habits that might be interfering with your test-taking abilities, talk to a school counselor or mental health professional. Mental health issues, such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders (to name a few) can all interfere with our ability to concentrate, retain information, and generally achieve with academic settings. It has nothing to do with how intelligent a person is – and since there are treatment options for these types of mental health issues, many people find that achieving in school becomes significantly easier once these kinds of issues are diagnosed and treated.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400.

Whether it is study habits, specific learning issues, or mental health issues – there are many reasons why a person may have trouble with tests or generally achieving in school. However, FX would like to stress that this is nothing to feel badly about – and that it takes a great deal of intelligence and honesty and good sense to reach out for help with whatever school-related problems may arise!