The transition from middle school to high school can be a challenging one for some students! So sharpen your pencil, and prepare to sharpen your brain—check out these valedictorian-worthy study tips.
Math: Remember that math is cumulative. Most math classes follow a natural progression—that is, each one builds upon knowledge you’ve gained and mastered from the previous course. With this being said, pull out your old math notes and review previous material to refresh yourself. If you remember how to solve past equations, you will understand new material faster.
Science: In most science textbooks, new ideas and theories often relate to what you’ve read in previous chapters. Make sure not to fall behind on your reading assignments. Better yet, make a point to read these chapters before they are lectured on. By doing this, you will already be familiar with the vocabulary and basic ideas the instructor is discussing, making it much easier to take notes when gone over in class.
English: Vocabulary pop quiz? No problem. Flashcards are one of the best ways to memorize vocabulary words. Write down the vocabulary word on one side of an index card and the definition on the other side. You can quiz yourself or have someone else quiz you. If your exam tests your knowledge in literature, it is best to re-read the most relevant sections of the text you are to be tested on. Reviewing the chapter titles and the first and last paragraph of each chapter of novels can help refresh your memory about the specifics of the novel.
History: Dates, names and places are among the most difficult details to remember. Use mnemonic devices to memorize facts. For example, the first 10 presidents of the United States of America are: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison and Tyler. The mnemonic device is: Watermelon And Jalapeños Made Me And Jack Very Happy Today. A Google search will reveal plenty of mnemonic devices for a variety of topics. Also, study early and frequently. The more frequently you read the material, the more familiar with it you become.
Teacher Tip!
If one of these methods works well for you, try it out in more than one class. We challenge you—straight As all semester long.
Sources: howtostudy.org, uwosh.edu
