6 Different Studying Methods For Back to School

Studying is the key to success in school, but not all studying methods work for everyone. Some people can simply read straight from a textbook and grasp the information, while others need more engagement to understand it. If you find yourself struggling to internalize the information you’re trying to learn, try out these different studying methods and find which one works best for you.

1. Handwrite Your Notes

You all probably know by now that handwriting your notes is one of the most effective ways to internalize them. When taking your notes, opt for writing them down on paper rather than typing them on a computer. If it’s easier to type them at first (such as during a lecture), rewrite them in your own handwriting later. It may seem like extra work, but it’ll pay off in the end.

Related: My Favorite School Supplies for College

2. Teach Someone

Find someone who is willing to study with you (if not, just talk out loud) and try teaching them your notes. This makes you come up with easier ways to describe the concepts in order for the person you’re teaching to understand them. By relating the information to real-life situations, you fill in the gaps for the person listening while simultaneously making the information more comprehensible for yourself.

Another way to go about this method is to pretend you’re teaching to someone very young, such as a middle schooler, to once again make the concepts relate to more simple ideas.

3. Make Flashcards

When it comes to quickly learning short pieces of information, flashcards are the way to go. To increase the effectiveness of learning, use the first method in correspondence by hand making flashcards. If not, use a website such as Quizlet to create online flashcards that can be shared with other people. You may also be able to find flashcards already made on the topic you’re studying, so make sure to check! Study the flashcards until you’re able to fully recall the information on each of the cards.

4. Make Connections To Your Life

Playing off the teaching method, try relating difficult topics to simple processes or everyday events in order to better understand them. This method works well with abstract ideas to add a structure to them that you might not have seen beforehand. Creating a mind map can help you visualize how concepts connect together and work as a whole.

5. Use Outside Resources

When you’re own studying methods don’t seem to be enough, head over to other resources that can potentially help you see the information from a different point of view. YouTube and Google never fail to answer a question of mine. Try using terms such as “(topic of study) practice quiz” or “(topic of study) explanation”. Some websites that are great references are: Khan Academy, Quizlet, Sparknotes, Gradesaver, and more.

Related: The ULTIMATE List of Online Resources for School

6. Join a Study Group

Working with a group of people exposes you to different views on the information you’re learning, which can potentially fill a gap in your understanding. Find people taking the same class as you, get their numbers, and either text in a group chat or get together to help each other learn the material. This is not the time to just copy each other’s work, but to ask someone who has fully grasped a concept to explain it to you. (Bonus: you can also make some great friends from study groups!)

---

Hopefully, you find that one of these methods, or a combination of a few, help you tackle your next study sesh. Don’t get discouraged when you’re struggling to study on your own, that only means you haven’t found the most effective method yet! If you try one of these and find that they work for you, definitely let me know in the comments. I wish you all the best of luck with this school year. Lots of love,

Liking my blog? Join my mailing list for updates!