As Spring unfolds, so does the feeling of anxiety, urgency, and determination to face AP exams. Students need to focus on studying and staying in a consistent routine.
In preparation for the exam, students study in different ways. Some focus better in a quiet setting with no distractions, while others can’t study without music or some kind of noise in the background. As a current Junior in AP classes, what helps me prepare and stay focused is having a show playing in the background or music, a coffee to sip on, or studying with friends. I personally find it hard to focus in a quiet environment. Students must figure out what works best for them so that they can feel fully prepared and secure for next week’s tests.
The article “Six Research-Tested Ways to Study Better,” by Heather Stringer from the American Psychological Association, offers scientifically tested benefits for maximizing your study efforts. The following list reflects 6 helpful strategies that all students should follow:
1. Remember and Repeat: It’s important to repeat in your head what you study. This helps you recall the information better later on.
2. Quiz yourself: Quizzing yourself is also a great strategy because it helps you practice for the real test and get a sense of what it’ll be like.
3. Make the most of study groups: Studying with other people helps you see other perspectives on the subject and provides accountability.
4. Mix it up: This refers to adding other subjects into your studying so that you make additional connections across different content areas. This is called interleaving.
5. Figure out what works for you: This can be as simple as finding the environment that works best for you, and overall, finding the most comfortable and stress-free way to study.
Studies also show that spacing out learning, so students are forced to retrieve information over time, increases retention. This is called the spacing effect.
Scientists say that studying effectively is the main cause of guaranteed success on your exams. Paul Penn, PhD, a senior lecturer in the psychology department at East London University, highlights how learning is all about perspective. “If your impression of your learning is inflated, you have little incentive to look at the way you’re approaching learning.”
Wildcats weigh in on what they are currently doing to prepare and their strategies to prevent overwhelm. Junior Lily Wheeler shares, “I am currently preparing for my AP Lang exam by staying on top of my work and noting down the things I struggle with in my practice essays so I can continue to study those specific things.”
Junior Lars Brunner shares, “I’m feeling pretty stressed about my tests. I take a lot of APs and have a lot to review, but my main source of stress relief has been the gym. Making time for the gym and studying has helped me not get too overwhelmed.”
It’s easy to fall back into bad habits when you’re feeling the pressure, but it’s important not to lose sight of why you are taking these classes and how much they can benefit you in the long run. Aside from math equations, chemical formulas, and how to write an essay, studying effectively is its own skill that students should be aware of so they get the most out of their practice
AP testing at Ukiah High starts Monday, May 4th, and goes through the 15th. Students can look on Minga for additional testing information.
Good luck with your continued preparation!
Stringer, Heather. “Six Research-Tested Ways to Study Better.” Apa.org, American Psychological Association, 19 Feb. 2020.
Karis Jacobsen
Karis Jacobsen is a Junior at Ukiah High. She enjoys softball, learning about animals, and being in nature. Karis has been a part of the varsity softball team for three years. When she's not occupied with school, she spends most of her time at the field and volunteering at local animal shelters. Karis is making plans to go to San Diego after high school and study law or animal science. She's also very passionate about the environment and nature. Even though this is her first year in Journalism, she hopes to make a difference through her work and report on important issues at Ukiah High.