It’s no secret that school can be hard. Juggling classes, homework, and social life can be a lot to handle for anyone. Similarly, getting good grades can feel like an impossible feat, and the pressure of standardized tests can be overwhelming.
However, there are certain tips that can boost your test results and help you succeed in school.
Knowing a few school tips is useful for parents as they can use them to help support their children in their academic journey. It’s natural to feel stressed about school, but there are ways to manage that stress and succeed.
So, we’ve compiled a list of school tips that have been known to help students of all ages boost their grades and test results.
Understanding Different Types of Learning Styles
Before we get into the school tips, it’s important to understand that not everyone learns in the same way. There are four main types of learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. These learning styles can affect how well you retain information, how you study, and even what type of career you might be interested in.
Here’s a quick overview of the different learning styles:
Visual
Visual learning involves learning by seeing things. You might be good at remembering faces, colors, and patterns. When you read, you tend to picture what you’re reading in your head. You might also like charts, graphs, and other visual aids.
Auditory
Auditory learning means you learn best by hearing things. You might be good at remembering what people say and the order of things. When you study, you might listen to music or read out loud. You might also find it helpful to record yourself reading your notes and then play them back.
Kinesthetic
The kinesthetic learning style involves learning best by doing things. You might be good at remembering how to do things, and you like to be active. When you study, you might find it helpful to take breaks to move around or do something with your hands. You might also like to create mind maps or other visuals to help you remember what you’re learning.
Reading/Writing
As the name suggests, the reading/writing learning style is all about learning by reading and writing things down. You might be good at remembering what you read, and you like to take notes. When you study, you might find it helpful to create flashcards or write out your notes. You might also like to read texts multiple times or read aloud to yourself.
Now that you know a little bit about the different learning styles let’s get into the school tips.
Test-Taking Tips That Boost Test Results
Even if you’re not a fan of tests, there are ways to make them work for you and help you succeed. These school tips will give you the academic confidence you need to smash stress and achieve your potential.
1. Note Taking Is Key
One of the best school tips for taking tests is to take good notes. This is especially important if you have a visual learning style. Seeing your notes can help you remember what you need to know for the test. Writing things down will also help if you have a kinesthetic or reading/writing learning style. You can use your notes to create flashcards or practice tests to help you study.
There are note-taking systems that can work for any type of learner. The Cornell note-taking system is a popular method that uses a three-part structure. The first part is for the main ideas, the second part is for key points, and the third part is for summary questions. This system can help you organize your thoughts and remember what you need to know for the test.
Another school tip for taking notes is to use abbreviations and symbols. This can help you save time and keep your notes concise. For example, you can use “&” for and, “b/c” for because, and “p” for pages. You can also use symbols to represent different concepts. For example, you can use a star to represent important information or a heart to represent something you love.
2. Survey, Question, and Read, Recall, and Review (SQ3R)
The SQ3R method is a school tip that can help you study more effectively. It’s a three-step process that involves surveying the material, questioning the material, and reading, recalling, and reviewing the material.
To survey the material, you first need to take a look at the chapter or section you’re going to be studying. Read the titles and subtitles to get an idea of what the material will be about. Then, look at the pictures, charts, and graphs. This will give you a good overview of the material and help you identify the main ideas.
After you’ve surveyed the material, it’s time to start questioning it. As you’re reading, ask yourself questions about the material. This will help you focus on the key points and remember the information.
The last step is to read, recall, and review the material. As you’re reading, take notes or highlight important information. Then, recall what you’ve read by writing a summary or creating flashcards. Finally, review the material by taking practice quizzes or tests.
3. Manage Your Time
One school tip that can help you boost your test results is to manage your time. This is especially important if you have a kinesthetic or reading/writing learning style. You might find it helpful to create a study schedule or use a planner to keep track of your assignments and tests.
If you’re having trouble managing your time, you can do a few things to make it easier. First, try to study for a set amount of time each day. This will help you keep on track and prevent you from procrastinating. Second, break up your studying into smaller sessions. This will help you focus and retain the information better. Finally, make sure to take breaks. Breaks will help you relax and recharge so that you can continue studying effectively.
4. Start Reviewing for the Test One Week in Advance
One of the best school tips for taking tests is to start reviewing for the test one week in advance. This will give you enough time to cover all of the material and ensure that you’re prepared.
To review for the test, you can create a study guide or use flashcards. If you have a visual learning style, you might find it helpful to create a mind map. This is a visual representation of the information that can help you see the connections between different concepts.
Another school tip for reviewing for the test is to take practice quizzes. This will help you identify any areas where you need more review. Additionally, taking practice quizzes can help you get used to the format of the test and reduce your test anxiety.
5. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
You need to get a good night’s sleep for the brain to function at its optimum capacity. This is one of the most important school tips for taking tests. When you’re well-rested, you’ll be able to think more clearly and remember information better.
To get a good night’s sleep, you should aim for seven to eight hours per night. Additionally, you should avoid caffeine and screen time before bed. These can make it harder to fall asleep. Finally, you should create a bedtime routine that will help you relax and prepare for sleep.
6. Eat a Healthy Meal Before the Test
Eating a healthy meal before the test is also crucial, just like having a good night’s sleep. When you’re well-nourished, your brain will be able to function at its best. A healthy meal will help you concentrate and remember information better.
Some good foods to eat before a test include eggs, oatmeal, whole grain toast, and fruit. You should avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they can make you feel sluggish. Additionally, you should avoid fatty foods, as they can make it difficult to concentrate.
In a study, pupils and students who eat their breakfast before taking their exams performed better than those who skip breakfast or eat sugary foods. Also, bring water or healthy snacks with you to have during the breaks. This will help to keep your energy levels up and focus on the test.
7. Reduce Test Anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious about the test, there are a few things you can do to reduce your anxiety. First, try deep breathing exercises or relaxation techniques. These will help you calm down and focus. Second, make sure you’re prepared for the test by doing a practice run-through. This will help you feel more confident and reduce your anxiety. Finally, remember that everyone gets nervous before a big test. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that you can do it!
Conclusion
Tests can be difficult in middle school, high school, and even in college because if you’re not prepared, it can make the experience even worse. This list of school tips for taking tests can help you feel more prepared and reduce your anxiety.
Just remember to start studying early, take down notes, use the SQ3R method, and manage your time wisely. If you do all of these things, you’ll be on your way to acing the test.
For parents, these school tips for taking tests are also important. You can help your child by creating a study plan and making sure they stick to it. Additionally, you should make sure they’re getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet.
Finally, you can help reduce their anxiety by talking to them about the test and reminding them that everyone gets nervous before big exams. Just remind them to take a deep breath and focus on the test.
Sources:
- https://www.edmentuminternational.com/blog/10-classroom-and-school-tips-to-improve-test-scores/
- https://www.educationcorner.com/test-performance-strategies.html
- https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/tips-and-tricks-to-boost-your-year-12-scores