Tag Archives: study skills

Tips to Study for the AP Test

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Test season is almost here already, and that means that the AP Test is coming up soon as well. The AP test can sometimes be a lot to study for, so here are some helpful tips that helped me and will make studying a breeze.

1. Buy a test prep book.

One thing that I found helpful when studying for the AP test is to get a test prep book. This contains a condensed version of the material found in the course, so you can review the material from the whole year and then test your knowledge of the material. A good place to get these books is from Princeton Review.

2. Review your notes.

Another strategy that I found helpful when studying was to review my notes from the year. It can sometimes be hard to remember topics that were taught at the beginning of the year, so reviewing can be helpful especially if you have forgotten some of the material.

3. Study the important topics.

Another useful strategy I found for studying is to review the most important topics or areas of the course first before covering other subjects as well. Spending more time on larger topics can be helpful and is a more effective way to review for the test as well.

4. Take practice tests.

One of the best ways to study for the AP test is to take practice tests. Practice tests can help you to study better and know what material to focus on while you are studying. They can also help you to take the test more effectively, and I personally found them very helpful. Some good places to find these practice tests include College Board and Khan Academy.

5. Make a study schedule.

Another approach you can take to studying is to make a study schedule and to plan out your studying. This allows you to plan backward from the date of the test, and spread out your studying into more manageable blocks over a longer period of time. This also ensures that you are well prepared for the test and are not rushing to study.

6. Make flashcards.

Another method of studying that I found useful was making flashcards. Making flashcards can help you to remember important materials, especially formulas and vocabulary. It is also helpful for quickly reviewing concepts, and helps to prepare you for the test as it gives practice with giving answers for a question format.

7. Use AP College Board resources.

I also found that the AP College Board online resources were very helpful for studying as well. These resources include content reviews and topic quizzes, as well as AP Daily videos, which are daily reviews of material covered in the AP courses, all of which are very helpful when reviewing.

These are some of the important ways that you can make your studying for the AP test much easier and more effective as well, so be sure to try these tips and tricks before your next test!

Heading to the library? Teen Test Survival Kits, created by the Mission Viejo Library Teen Advisory Board, are available to pick up at the library.

Effective Study Methods

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Have you ever spent hours struggling through textbooks, study guides, and notes only to completely forget everything during the exam? Or even worse: you are forced to pull all-nighter, and sleep through your alarm! Even if you personally don’t struggle with these, implementing these 3 study methods can still provide major benefits.

  1. The Feynman Technique

In simple terms, this is just explaining to someone– out loud– your study concept. Don’t use any technical terms. Think of it as explaining it to a fifth grader. This may sound weird, but it works for many reasons. Firstly, explaining a concept helps you understand and memorize it yourself. Speaking out loud is more memorable than just writing it down or reading it. Secondly, it helps you fill any gaps in your knowledge. If you can not explain a concept in simple terms, you do not know it well enough. You can also see what parts you forget to mention. This technique is best used when you have reviewed the concepts at least once.

  1. Blurting

Blurting is when you write down everything you remember onto one space. This can be a few sheets of paper, a whiteboard, or even a mirror! Personally, I do not have access to a large whiteboard– so I like to write on my mirror with dry erase markers. It works just the same. This method helps with memorization, gaps in knowledge, and understanding of the concept. 

  1. Spaced Repetition

This method ensures that you won’t be pulling any all-nighters! First, calculate how many days you have until your exam. Next, write the specific topics you want to review, and how long for. Then, follow these guidelines to space out your studying. 1st session: this day. 2nd session: the next day. 3rd session: a week after, 4th session: a week and ½ after. Continue this– spacing out each study session– until the day of your exam! 

Improve your Study Planning!

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With AP exams a little over two months away, it is never too early to start preparing. Rather than cramming the night before, having an efficient plan may be extremely helpful.

When memorizing vocabulary and key terms, flashcards are a great method. Even though many opt to use online resources such as Quizlet, making physical flashcards may be the better option. While making paper flashcards can be time-consuming, physically writing down the information could help the memorization process. Additionally, you can sort the flashcards into piles based on what you need to work on. 

In addition to the materials you are using to study, the environment in which you work is just as, if not more important. If you are having trouble focusing, consider working in a different place than normal. Also, focus on eliminating possible distractors by keeping your technological devices out of reach. Studying with peers is a personal choice. While some may find it distracting to work with friends, others find that it helps keep them accountable. 

Another important factor in your success is the method you are using to study. While there are many effective ways to work, two popular methods are Pomodoro and the Feynman Technique. 

The Pomodoro method involves creating intervals of focused time to study followed by rest. This method focuses on moderate amounts “deep work” rather than long hours of review. By having rest, students are able to better focus during their study time. However, the break time should be treated as a mental break rather than a moment to use your phone. Using technology during this time could potentially break your focus. 

The Feynman technique emphasizes teaching others to help themselves learn. In order to teach others, you are forced to break down concepts into simple ideas. This could help you better understand the core ideas of what you are studying. Condensing information can help you create your own study guides.

Overall, your materials, environment, and method, are the most important aspects in having a productive study session. Hours of cram sessions may sometimes be helpful, but studying a little each day with these plans can be a great start for anyone. 

Additional Sources:

The Feynman Technique: Master the Art of Learning

Todoist: Pomodoro Method

The Pomodoro Technique: A Time Management Method

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With lots of assignments and tests piling up, I as a student have been very stressed out recently. Stressing all the time hasn’t helped my productivity or time management; I think I’ve spent more time worrying about schoolwork than actually completing it. Thus, I’ve been trying new study methods, and one has really worked for me.

The Pomodoro Technique is a study method for time management that breaks long study hours into 25-minute periods of focused work followed by 5-minute breaks. Here are the steps in a more detailed form:

Step 1: Identify the assignments you need to work on.

Step 2: Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on an assignment without getting sidetracked.

Step 3: When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.

Step 4: Work for 3 more work intervals, or pomodoros.

Step 5: Take a 30-minute break and begin the study sequence again.

This study technique worked really well for me! I was able to complete many assignments I had been procrastinating on and not get distracted by my phone or other distractions the entire time. Something that helped me was making a to-do list and highlighting the tasks of the highest priority. With my phone as the timer, I found that I was much less distracted by it, because each time I opened my phone, I saw the timer and was reminded to keep working. Using a timer works very well for me, as it motivates me to concentrate and get as much work done as possible before the timer sounds. Also, I think a 5-minute break is a great time frame to get up, stretch, and get a quick snack before getting back to work without getting distracted.

All in all, the Pomodoro Technique was a very helpful and successful study technique in my experience. It allowed me to stay motivated and productive while working for multiple hours and completing many assignments without getting sidetracked. Hopefully, it works for you too! If you’ve been feeling stressed or have trouble managing your time efficiently, give it a try!

Lam T.

Back to School: Tips for Productivity

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The school year has just started, and like most high school students, I’m slowly getting used to having homework every night again. Often, I allow myself to get distracted or put off my homework until the last minute. This year, I’m determined to have a successful academic year and a mostly stress-free school life by staying focused and productive. So, for everyone like me out there, here are some of my tips to be productive in school and at home for this coming school year.

1. Work in a distraction-free environment. I prefer to work in a quiet area and put my phone in a different room or on “Do Not Disturb” so that I’m not tempted to check it every time a notification pops up. It’s easy to get distracted and lose track of time when you’re on your phone, so make sure it’s not a distraction when you’re trying to get work done.

2. Keep track of assignments, tests, and deadlines. I recommend having a planner/calendar and writing down your assignments and due dates so you can plan accordingly. This helps me to make progress on my assignments every day instead of letting them pile up. Daily to-do lists also work well for me, and the satisfaction of crossing out tasks after completing them is always great.

3. Get work done at school. To minimize homework, use your study hall/tutorial period as well as class work time wisely, and get as much work done as you can. That way, it won’t become homework and you will have more free time or time to complete other assignments.

4. Take periodic breaks. Working can get tiring after a while, so it’s healthy to take a step back from your assignment and stretch, get a drink of water, and/or have a snack to fuel your study session. Be sure to get back to work afterward!

5. Tackle the most difficult tasks first. Completing your harder assignments first helps you get into the zone and complete your other assignments more efficiently. Personally, completing these assignments gives me a sense of accomplishment that motivates me to continue working.

6. Create a plan for your study sessions. Decide beforehand a window of time to work during (based on what time you feel most productive or when you are free) and which assignments you plan to spend time on. Creating a plan helps you stay organized when working and not wait until the evening to do all your work.

All in all, don’t get sidetracked, and stay organized and focused when you are working. Hopefully, you found these tips helpful and can apply them to your study sessions. Good luck in the upcoming school year!

-Lam T.

AP Studying??

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AP test month can be one of the most stressful periods in your entire high school career. Unlike regular tests AP exams demand a year’s worth of information from you. The best way to handle the overwhelming stress is to be prepared for what is coming. I have taken many AP courses and have found some of the more efficient ways of studying along with the methods that are not beneficial. 

Perhaps the most important variable to consider when studying is making a clear cut schedule for studying that aligns up with your AP test day. For example, for history or science based tests designating a certain time block to study each unit a day is very helpful. Personally, about a month out from my AP world exam I started studying half a unit every single day. This way revisiting information is not overwhelming when test time comes. 

Now that you have a set time for studying it is very important how you spend that time you have created for yourself. I have personally found that simply rereading a textbook and labeling that time spent as studying is not efficient when trying to remember information from an entire year. If you are someone who enjoys using notes to study rather than just rereading them add an extra layer. First look at the topic for the section and try to recall all the information you can about that topic. Next read the page/pages of notes. Lastly, and most importantly, outloud recall all of the information that you just reread without looking at your notes. Doing so stimulates your brain to try and read the information rather than simply forgetting the info minutes later.

When studying for history and science based tests there is so much information that no one can remember every single detail. So, when reviewing try to focus more on patterns that you recognize or different relationships. It is important to remember the college board does not just test you on verbatim facts that you have learned. The test evaluates you on different thinking processes so you have to be able to understand different relationships between time periods or scientific concepts. 

Now for the English based tests such as AP Lang one of the best tips I got was to focus on the News. At first I did not understand how this would be helpful. But, for some AP tests you must write papers where evidence comes straight from your brain, no documents. On these occasions you have to think of different important events in history to make your argument. Therefore, listening and keeping up with the news a month before testing seasons can provide you with great relevant evidence to incorporate into your essays. 

For some people, the hardest part of preparing for such a demanding test is getting the motivation to actually sit down and review. For these people, I recommend getting a study partner. As cheesy as that sounds it can be beneficial for those lacking motivation. Having someone that is supposed to study with you every day holds both your partner and yourself accountable to actually reviewing. Your partner does not need to be studying for the same AP, but having someone who is also preparing can force you to sit down and just begin. If you have a close friend you can study over facetime or at the library(considering after COVID). Other ways are finding study discords servers or zoom servers that are offered online where you can study with other people with the same goals as yourself. 

-Lily G.