According to research by The Washington Post, students spend an average of 2.7 hours a night doing homework. That means they spend approximately 11.25% of their week studying, including sleep, if they get any.
While many students know they should study, making it bearable or enjoyable is difficult. With AP tests and finals approaching quickly, OHS students and teachers have tips and tricks for studying.
Sophomore Gabi Peralta uses study tricks to motivate herself after a long day of school and after-school sports. Being organized is her secret to homework; “I write down everything I need to do for homework in my planner.” To limit stress, Peralta “start[s] with the easier tasks and then gets to the harder ones.”
Peralta also uses study tools found online, like some found on YouTube. “It will find [study] music and it has a thirty-minute timer, then a five-minute break.” According to the University of Pittsburgh, this is called the Pomodoro Technique, which utilizes studying for shorter periods of time with breaks to maintain concentration.
Some students at OHS, like sophomore Kate Penner, try to limit homework and studying time as much as possible. “I usually study the period before the test… [when I have homework,] I prefer doing it in the morning [because] my brain is more fresh,” Penner states.
Another technique many students use is studying together. OHS teacher-librarian Stacy Udo said, “I think [students] can benefit from hearing different perspectives on how to gain information. Your teacher can teach you one way… [your] peer can try to illustrate to you in a different way than your teacher can.”
Not only can students help each other understand difficult concepts when studying together, but they can also make studying more fun. Many students meet in coffee shops to study, motivated not only by the company but also by a fun, sweet treat. Coffee shops also provide a cozy place to study.
Especially for students studying for AP tests and the SAT, taking practice tests can be helpful. Udo recommends, “Doing a practice test, then figuring out where your weaknesses are and trying to study those.” Additionally, the library has free prep books from former students. “[The library has] started making [prep books] available to kids to have, unless they want to bring them back… we have a wealth of those for not every topic, but many.”
Another thing underutilized by students is access to a public library. “[Timberland Regional Library] gives all students free digital library cards and open access to all of their online resources.” Not only do these resources include books, but students can access certain online subscriptions and resources through them. Students can find their login information in the OSD Portal.
