Hi first I would like to have introduce myself as I am new to this forum, I am a 15 year old Sophomore in high school and having an EXTREMELY difficult time managing my time, work, and studying and it’s really affecting me. First question, does anyone have any tips to organize yourself and get a structured time for studying homework etc. here is my schedule usually.
- go home around 3:00
- do homework for an hour
- come home around 6:00
- study until 9:00
Go to bed
Sounds like it’s ok already, however, I procrastinate heavily and I need to fix it and I end up studying for a test the day before at 6:00 at night, second my teachers always throw in hidden assignments and last minute quizzes and it’s really annoying. I’m in desperate need of help I went from a practically all As freshmen year to B C and Ds this year, I know I can do so much better because I know for a fact I have the potential of being in extremely advanced classes.
And last question any tips for last minute studying and how to keep as much information retained as possible, thank you!
D does all homework immediately upon arriving home from school. No phone, computer, music etc. Also she does it at the kitchen table so I can supervise. She is 8th grade so I am sure you have way more homework than she does at this time.
Maybe you can lighten up your gym time. Also devote a % of time each day to studying for your upcoming test and/or doing projects. By breaking it up into manageable bites it won’t be so overwhelming which often leads to paralyzing anxiety.
Use your time in class more effectively. There are classes where you should pay attention and classes where your time could be spent better studying or doing homework if your teachers are lax enough to do it. This also includes doing homework at lunch rather than socializing the entire time (this can save you 15-30 minutes every day which adds up). There are some assignments which frankly are busywork and in those cases, teamwork is key.
It seems like you’re studying a lot, but it’s probably not in the most effective methods. Quizlet/flashcards are scientifically the best method of memorization because it allows your neurons to form a link between terms and definitions. Studying for math or other subjects requires understanding a topic, so for me it’s more helpful to follow example problems and understand the underlying conception behind each step. Studying can also be a group effort by creating google docs with notes or practice questions. This can be done a week in advance and whenever people have time, they can contribute to it.
I usually study for my tests the night before and I haven’t had any issues with it. It should be fine as long as you are learning and retaining information as you learn it, and not learning it the night before, but instead reviewing and seeing if there is anything else you could memorize/learn to do better on the test. For tips for last minute studying, I always sit down with the textbook or my notes and I read. I actively read and make sure I am remembering the things that I am reading. Once I finish reading everything, I do some practice problems (if applicable).
For tips to retain information, every once in a while, review your notes. It will help make the information stick in your mind better. I try to repeat formulas or important sentences a few times to memorize them.
Maybe go to the gym right when you get home from school. I find that it’s hard to come home and focus after doing other things because it breaks up your day and it takes time to ease into studying, especially multiple times a day
Can you add a study hall?