Retaining information may be the hardest part of school because there’s just so much material to remember. For 180 days, everything from math to English is pumped into students and they’re expected to recall it all. Finding the right studying pattern is so important for a student because students are expected to learn everything, not just remember it, and everyone has a different way of doing it.

Tests, like midterms, are just around the corner and many students are unsure how to prepare. Studying is crucial for a student’s success in school because tests are weighed heavily in with the overall grade for a class.

There are numerous different ideas and techniques that can be used to help students to study for tests. Some of these include: rewriting notes, reading the notes out loud, or using the website Quizlet to make flash cards.

“The method of studying that works the best for me is looking over my notes from class over a couple days and testing myself, “ Sophomore Meghan Kiefer said. By studying the material in pieces rather than all at once the brain is able to retain more, which is the overall goal of school.

“I find that rewriting my notes from in class helps me with studying the most. This can sometimes be time consuming but it helps me remember the content,” Senior Morgan Calahan said. Rewriting notes by hand helps students to remember key points from lectures rather than just typing them again. Both methods are effective in helping to studying for tests throughout the year and especially for midterms and finals.

While most students dread the annual midterm and final, they should realize these tests can actually be beneficial. These two tests help dust off the cobwebs that are on the material that was learned months ago, to try to ensure that students are retaining what they have been taught.

Another way of studying, which isn’t for everyone, is having a study group. Studying in groups allows for students to work problems out with each other and explain the content. The only flaw in this technique is that it can often be difficult with everyone’s schedules to find time to study together.

“I think that if study groups were offered they would definitely be taken advantage of by part of the student body,” Kiefer said.

“I always tell students who want to go to a 4 year or 2 year school, if you don’t learn how to study in high school, then the post-secondary will be more difficult,” Ms. Rita Kaplin said.

There are numerous ways to prepare and study for tests and everyone has a different method. Just remember to spread the studying out over time and find the way that works for you because it will directly affect your future.