As the end of the semester inches closer, many students are feeling the added pressure. Assignments stack up, deadlines creep up, and upcoming exams add more stress onto the pile. Research from the American Institute of Stress in 2024 shows that 75% high school students feel stressed due to schoolwork. It can be very easy to get stressed and overwhelmed, but with the right study tips and workflow management, you can finish the semester feeling confident and in control.
With an average of six classes among students, the amount of assignments piled on can feel overwhelming, which can be easily overlooked. Not only does the workload pile up, but so can your stress level. One helpful strategy that many students like to use is creating a to-do list. Having all your upcoming assignments written down makes it easier to stay organized and on top of your workflow. Whether it’s in your Notes app, a planner, or a simple notebook, a list can help you clearly see what needs to get done. While it can be intimidating to view everything in one place, Senior Scarlett Buick points out, “It feels good and rewarding to check off the boxes.” Implementing this simple habit can not only help you manage your workflow but also make your assignments feel more manageable.
Beyond planning your tasks, there are simple changes you can make to increase your focus. Many students find it useful to listen to music, as canceling out outside noise can make it easier to concentrate. Often, music without lyrics or anything calm that won’t distract you can help you focus on the task at hand. Simultaneously, it’s important to be aware of what distracts you. While iPhones are a useful tool in many students’ lives, they can also be one of the biggest distractions. Simply hearing a notification or seeing your screen light up can tempt you to pick up your phone, pulling your attention away from your work. Buick relates by adding, “I get distracted on my phone a lot, which turns into passive studying where I don’t get anything done.” So instead, to stay focused, she finds it beneficial to silence notifications or simply place their phone across the room. These minor changes can drastically minimize unnecessary interruptions, keeping your main focus on the task at hand.
When it comes to study methods, every student uses their own kind, depending on their personal preferences. If you prefer to stick with the good old pencil and paper, flashcards are often a useful method for memorizing key terms and concepts. Even though they take longer to make, handwritten notes can boost your memory of the subject. A study conducted in 2024 by F. R. (Rudd) van der Weel and Audrey L. H. van der Meer, published in the Frontiers in Psychology, showed that out of the 36 students accurately tested, those who wrote by hand showed a higher level of brain stimulation. Handwriting notes caused a more complex neural network connectivity compared to the students who digitally typed notes. By involving a deeper level of the brain processing, handwriting notes can improve the memorization of the study topic. However, with the advancement of technology, many students now rely on digital assistance. The internet is full of countless study apps designed to make reviewing and organising information a lot quicker and easier. Students such as Junior Noah Katkowsky like using apps such as Quizlet or NotebookLM. Both these apps make it easy to make flashcards, notes, study guides, or even practice quizzes based on the information provided. “It’s a quick way to turn anything into notes,” Katkowsky says. Study methods are meant to be most beneficial to you, so whether it’s handwritten or digital, both can be effective ways to approach studying.
Studying doesn’t always have to be a solo activity. Several students find that working with other people can be an effective and even more enjoyable way to study. In fact, some may even prefer it. “I like studying with other people, I can’t study alone,” Katkowsky says. Many times, study groups are a great way to quiz each other, share information and tips, new strategies, and explain hard concepts that the other doesn’t understand. Not to mention, group studying helps students hold each other accountable when doing their work. In addition to student help, teachers are also a valuable resource to use when it comes to understanding the difficult material. Asking questions, going to office hours, or even emailing to clarify topics can help students comprehend the material. Using the help and support from others, whether it’s another student or a teacher, helps students greatly prepare for the upcoming test day.
Where you study is just as important as how you study. Many times, a clean and quiet environment can improve productivity and focus. For some students, this could mean keeping their desk organized or their room clean. But for others, finding a calm spot like a coffee shop or a library works just as well. “If I’m too overwhelmed in my house or my room, I’ll go out to Atomic Coffee or somewhere like that where I’m able to concentrate,” shares Buick. Choosing a space that is comfortable and distraction-free can help students stay on task for longer. Just small adjustments like good lighting, comfy seating, or keeping supplies in reach can make all the difference in how much you accomplish.
Studying is nothing without taking the proper time to do it. Sometimes the best way to retain information is to fully review it, not just memorize it. Even taking portions of the material and studying them a little every day before the test can be significantly beneficial when the test arrives. “The best advice I could give is to study days in advance,” Katkowsky continues, “I started to do it this year, and it’s helped a lot when taking tests.” And sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started on your work. Setting aside a certain time and having a consistent routine can make it easier to begin, turning procrastination into productivity. “Once you get into that rhythm, it makes it so much easier to study,” says Buick. Once this routine is in place, staying productive becomes much easier, even during the busiest weeks.
At the end of the day, the way you study, organize work, or focus all depends on what works best for you. Remember, every student has different methods that help them succeed, and finding the right mixture can make all the difference as the semester ends. While you might not figure it out right away, it’s important to try out every strategy. Once you figure out the right procedures, you can wrap up the semester feeling confident and ready.
