HOW TO STUDY

13 Effective Study Tips for Intermediates

One of the biggest academic challenges for students who are in the intermediate division is not knowing how to study.

 In junior, many students are accustomed to coming to class, doing the work, and performing just fine on tests.  Once they reach intermediate, many of them experience a bit of a reality check.  They may do well on the first major assessment because it’s a new school year and everyone is on top of their game.  But as second half of term 1 approaches, academics become progressively more challenging, and true habits of students shine through, many assessment scores take a tumble.

 Once students realize they need to study, they don’t necessarily know how to study.  Many think looking through their work is studying.  We often hear students say “I studied last night for over an hour!” yet when asked a few key questions, they do not remember the answers.

Here are 13 easy strategies to help you learn how to study. 

​#1 Flashcards

Make flashcards to practice key vocabulary and main ideas.

#2 Pair with Another Student and Quiz Each Other

Come up with some key questions and practice answering them with a classmate.

#3 Read Class Notes and then Summarize!

Read through information and then write a summary using your own words to describe what was learned.

#4 Read Notes Out Loud

Read your notes out loud so you can absorb each piece as you hear it.

#5 Organize Materials

Stay organzied so when the time comes to study you've got everything you need and know where to find it. 

#6 Outline or Mind Map Key Ideas

Discover out how ideas connect together by creating an outline or mind map.

#7 Self-Quizzing

Quiz youself – a helpful skill when you don’t have a study partner.

#8 Rewrite Main Ideas

Write out the explanation of main ideas repeatedly until it can be done without referring to other materials.

#9 Use Graded Work

Use old graded work and quizzes as a practice test by covering answers and using them to check work.

#10 Use Mistakes

Look over graded worksheets and quizzes and fix any errors that may have been made.

#11 Use the Study Guide

Got a study guide?  Use it to identify the main ideas, key vocabulary words, and skills that are to be demonstrated on the test.

#12 Teach It!

Teach a concept to someone else. Teach what you know to anyone who will listen, including your pet!

#13 Ask Questions

Research and ask questions about ideas that are confusing to you.