Studying vs. Study Habits

STUDYING VS. STUDY HABITS

“Tomorrow's the test, how should I study?”

“How can I get extra credit to raise my grade?”

As you might imagine, these are questions that are often posed to math teachers all over the world, both by students and by parents asking on behalf of their student. Though both of these inquiries are typically asked with good intentions, these questions can be aggravatingly perplexing to me because of their underlying assumptions. Allow me to explain...

“Tomorrow's the test, how should I study?” To me, this question commonly carries two implications. First, when a student asks me this question right before a test, usually it means that the student doesn't have a consistent habit of study for math - either because the student hasn’t set up a routine yet or the student doesn’t think it is necessary. The second underlying implication is that the student has the mentality that preparing for a test is a one time deal, and that “one time” for test preparation is the night before the test. In order for studying to be effective, it must not be centered around "cramming" for a test. Problem solving cannot be improved upon by memorization or last minute cramming, only by regular practice. Part of the regular practice/study routine should include regularly identifying areas of weaknesses and addressing those weaknesses in a timely fashion (immediately!). "Studying" must be about making learning the top priority (not grades or a test) and students having regular study habits.

“How can I get extra credit to raise my grade?” This question positively sends shivers up my spine (but not in a positive way) because the mentality that accompanies the question is the polar opposite of the mentality of learning that I strive to instill in my students. Ideally, students should focus on learning rather than obsess about grades. Ideally, as your learning improves, your grades will reflect that. It should not be the other way around where the grades take first priority over the learning. I would much rather a student come to talk to me about a concept they don’t understand or ask about how they can improve their study habits than have a student whose sole focus is "improving" grades. Quoting the signature line from the late 80s Kevin Costner baseball movie Field of Dreams, “If you build your learning, the grades will come.” That might not be the exact quote, but I’m pretty certain that it’s pretty close…

In this chart below, I differentiate between the idea of studying for a test and the idea of study habits. The goal of our class is to help my students develop the latter so that their top priority in school will be learning, not merely grades.