Life often feels like a marathon, especially as a teenager trying to make deadlines. High School can be challenging for some, especially when it seems like your workload is only ever increasing. For many high school students, stress may come because of grades, assignments, and other academic challenges. I have personal experience that inquiring about good study habits in daily life boosts grades and decreases stress among students. Here are some study strategies that have been proven to me to be effective:

To start off, take regular breaks, especially throughout a rigorous study session. Not only that, but take breaks that truly recharge you. We all need a chance for our brains to unwind, and take a break in between long periods of studying.  How often you take breaks, or when, is entirely up to you. Just make sure it makes your studying more productive. I’ve learned first hand that taking a quick break per hour of studying has been the most effective. Make sure to find a rhythm that suits you, remember, only you know what your brain needs.

Next, try to eliminate distractions. Many times, distractions such as your phone, TVor other people in the same room can cause less effective studying. To maximize your retention of the information you are studying , try finding a quiet, calm place to study. This could be your bedroom, or a quiet bench at the park. Whatever helps you focus is the best choice. Ask for help when you need it. Dublin High has great resources if you ever feel overwhelmed or simply have a hard time understanding a subject. The ARC has tutors, or you could visit a teacher’s office hours. The library is also a great place to look for information. Protect your focus, distractions can be the silent disasters of good studying habits and tricks.

Finally, find the best method to stay consistent, even when motivation fails you. I understand the feeling of “this is easy” in the beginning to “what am I reading” by the end. This is where you need to find your consistency. Create yourself a simple but effective routine to optimize your studying time. Over time, consistency will add up to less academic stress, better understanding of learning materials and confidence to help you out for the rest of your high school career.

Remember, grades aren’t everything. Yes, they are important to work for, but they don’t define you as a student. Focus on a type of learning that excites you, and make sure to take care of yourself along the way,