Seventh and Eighth Grade Success: Tips and tools for a great year!

THIS IS A STUDY TIP GUIDE TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY,             

READ IT AND USE IT EVERYDAY

1. First of all, get organized.

2. Use a study guide.

3. If the teacher does not have a ready-made study guide, ask "What should I know for the test?" - write down whatever they say!

4. Review/organize/rewrite your notes. Take a look at your notes since the last test. Are they neat? Do they make sense? Is there a better way to organize them? For example, can you group certain ideas together? Rewrite your notes neatly.

5. Review/organize/rewrite handouts /slides from the teacher. If the teacher took the time to copy or create something, she thinks you need to know it. Take a look at all of the handouts the teacher gave you. Do you understand them? Please don't recreate all the handouts! Think about creating one page with the most important information from all of them.

6. Know the definition of all vocabulary words, but more importantly how to use them in a sentence, concepts, ideas, people, etc. that have been introduced since the last test.  Sometimes, there will be a list of "important words" or "people to know." Write down all of these words and be sure to include any word that your teacher takes the time to define for you, as well.

7. Memorize. You will be amazed at how much information you know after organizing your notes and looking for important words. Still, sometimes you must buckle down and commit things to memory.

8.  Acronyms  - Create your own names or words to help you understand a concept or definition.

9.  Apply - Understand the concepts and know how to apply them when needed.

How To Study With Flash Cards

Write the word on one side, the definition on the other, and test yourself. For example, write Simile on one side of the flash card  " a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word "like" or "as," e.g. "as white as a sheet. "

Say "simile," then flip the card over and say " a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word "like" or "as," e.g. "as white as a sheet"  Do this over and over until you can repeat the definition without looking at it.

After you have learned all of the cards, start with the definitions and see if you remember the word before turning over the flash card. Speak up! Move around! You will learn faster if you hear the words out loud.

When you think you know all of the words and definitions, ask someone else to test you. Missed any? Go back and memorize them; do this until you know every word.

How To Study With Folded Paper

Fold a regular piece of lined binder paper in half the long way. In the left column, write the words you need to memorize. In the right column, write down the definitions. Think of the paper as a bunch of attached flash cards. Keep the paper folded and flip it back and forth as you learn each word and definition. Follow the same routine as with the flash cards: memorize, test yourself, get tested.

Start this process a few days before the test. So after you finish your regular homework, study for a half-hour or so. Don't wait until the last minute and try to cram everything into your head. Put a little information in each night, and it will stick. Additionally, by studying this way, you will still have time for a life outside of homework, and you will feel relaxed and confident about the test.

Finally, right before the test, review your notes (read them out loud if you can) and run through your flash cards or folded paper study sheets. You are ready to ace the test!

Learning how to study is not difficult at all. And the best part is that once you learn how to do it, you're set.

Concentration

¨      Find a place to study and keep it for study only.

¨      Control noise level and the visual environment to acceptable levels.

¨      Avoid relaxing while working; create a work atmosphere.

When to Study

¨      During the day and early evening.

¨      Best when there are the fewest competing activities in progress.

¨      Best when adequate rest periods are provided.

¨      Stop studying when you are tired or lack of attention occurs.

How to Study and Concentrate

¨      When distracters are present, become intensely involved.

¨      Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down thoughts that do not have anything to do with your notes that cross your mind while studying, get them out of your mind and on to paper.

¨      Set study goals before you begin each period of study (i.e. number of pages)

¨      Design rewards after specified goals are attained, talk to your parents about this one, maybe it is a healthy snack or time on a computer.

¨      Break-up the content of study by mixing up subjects and building in variety and interest and removing boredom.

¨      Make the most of rest periods-do something quite different.

¨      Don't try to mix work and playing games.

¨      Start with short study periods and build to longer periods only as fast as you maintain concentration.

Knowing how to study is actually a skill you can use for the rest of your life.