[freetshirtsorg]

I am a sophmore at a very competitive high school. So naturally I'm very sleep deprived. I would like to become more efficient in my study methods. I'm not afraid to work my ass off. Please feel free to leave all kinds of suggestions no matter how unusual or unorthodox they may be. I'm a very hard working student, who's willing to try anything. Please try to be very specific and be detailed in your descriptions/explanations. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
~diana

1. What grade are you in currently?

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?

3. What is your system for taking class notes?

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?

6. How exactly do you study?

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk )

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?

[chamoe]

Alright. I'll fill it out. [:

1. What grade are you in currently?
I'm a Junior.

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
At least 8 hours, except when I travel on the weekends for debate.

3. What is your system for taking notes?
I use outline form, and I type my notes. I save them by chapter, and keep them ongoing per chapter all in one word document. So, like I. then A. then 1. and a. and so on. I find it the best way to keep everything together. You can always print out another copy if you lose them.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Depends on the class. For math, I'm in AP calc, I just do the practice problems in the book. If I'm stuck on a certain thing, I'll do the example problem in the book because it has step by step instructions. For AP Econ/Gov, I just review what I've done in class, but usually just taking notes on the textbook is all I need to reinforce it. If you have other problems, you can always ask your teacher. [:

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Most of my tests are announced at least 3 days in advance. However, for AP Econ, we're told at the beginning of the chapter when the test will be. As long as you pace yourself throughout the unit, or chapter that you're currently doing, it's pretty simple. For AP Calc, we have chapters in parts, such as 8.1, 8.2 and such. I review two of those a night to look back on previous ones, and make sure I can answer almost any problem in the chapter. For AP Language, I review my notes on the book that we've read, and any rhetorical devices and such that could appear on the test. Anything such as in class essays, my friend and I go back and forth thinking up sample questions that could be the essay and take turns answering.

6. How exactly do you study?
I really like making note cards to help with vocabulary. Also, I'll type up a study sheet if I find a need to. I'll put everything important on one sheet of paper, just the front, in different boxes, in order to make sure I've got the overview of the chapter, or the things I haven't remembered. Math and Science you can do the same things with formulas. As for note cards, just make a table in Word, and then print and fold in half and glue it. Then you cut it, and wallah, some pretty snazzy note cards. [:

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
3 Card study method. I know it's pretty lame sounding, but I find it really helps. You have three piles, one know it cold, which you know the terms and such really well, one sort of know it, and one have no idea pile. With your note cards, you just go through them and place them in the separate piles. After you're finished, pick up the sort of know it pile, and the have no idea pile, and do it again and again until all of the note cards are in the know it cold pile.


8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
I find I put my hardest classes first, which is mostly AP Lang and AP Econ for me. If it's a long term project and I'm really busy for the night, I'll do the homework that is due the next day, however, if not, I try to keep the longest assignments at the top of my list. I make sure I cross off everything I do in my planner. [: Debate comes after homework.


9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Study somewhere without any distractions. No computer, unless you're using it, and no television or whatever else distracts you. Make it your study place, clear off the table, and sit down and do it. Think to yourself, the faster you get it done, the more stuff you can do later. If you're using the computer, turn off your IMs, and your internet, and just do your homework. Soompi is a big distraction, but if I finish faster, I've got more time to browse it.


10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
During school, I find if I sit near the front of the class, more on the side rather than in the middle, and don't sit near someone I'm likely to talk to, I'll pay attention more. Also, if I finish all my homework the night before, I won't be distracted doing it during other classes. Just make sure you remember in class once again, the faster you get it done, the more you can chat with friends. If you have a lunch period, make sure you don't plan on doing lunch during it. I love my lunch period because I can just sit and hang out with my friends without having to worry about any tests I have coming up because I know I'm prepared.


11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk )
I tell myself if I finish my homework before 8ish, then I'll let myself go on the computer, or watch Gossip Girl, or any dramas I'm currently into. Dramas are so addicting, but if you give yourself motivation to complete the goal, it's easier.


12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
I have a list of commitments, and some come over the others. First school work, before any debate practice and such, if I have to meet with a teacher, they come first. Then debate practice comes before fencing, and finally fencing before any school clubs. Piano happens on Sunday morning, and I know where my commitments lie, and my priorities. As long as I keep them straight, I don't have to question my decision on what comes first.


13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. term papers, projects, science fair etc.)?
If you have a paper due, write it and finish it with at least a day before it's due. The day before it's due, you're in a different state of mind than when you're writing it because you're not as stressed and you can catch more mistakes. Write and outline the day you get it, and give yourself time and days as to plan out when you're going to do things. I find myself keeping track of different steps I do for long term projects in my planner and it makes everything easier to keep a calendar. [:

Hope that helps.

[urlif3]

1. What grade are you in currently?
Junior

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
At least 4 hours; considering I only have 1 AP and 3 honors

3. What is your system for taking notes?
Summarize what I read

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Depends on classes. For history, I just reread the whole chapter again and again. For calculus, review class notes and attempt some problems on your own. .etc.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Always study before time. Do not wait until the last night to study for like 3 subjects.

6. How exactly do you study?
Stay in my room and shut everything that will be distractive ( computer, tv..etc.). Do not lie on a bed or I will fall asleep!

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
Keep on repeating what you are studying. If studying for vocabulary, write out the meanings w/o looking at them.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
AP class first -> honors -> regular. You do not want to miss any AP homework.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Hide myself in a room lol. =)

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
I try to not talk with my friends in class. Do not look at anywhere except the front board/teacher!

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk blush.gif )
I motivate myself by thinking about my dream college. All these work that I am doing now will pay off in the future.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
I always participate in my club activities. Usually on those days, I would need to stay up a little bit longer in doing my school work.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
Again, always start before time. I always write my term paper at least 3 days beforehand. Projects = 2 weeks. As for science fair, I need to start way early. 2 weeks will not be enough to do it.

[illneverletyougo]

1. What grade are you in currently?
12th; I'M A SENIOR : ) and now that i'm accepted into my college (BAYLOR), i sorta don't care anymore... but i still do care cause i want to pass my AP's
I am in 6 AP classes. (Microecon, gov, calcAB, english lit, psychology, arthistory)

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
I get 4-5 hours of sleep a night. Sometimes i get less. On friday nights i tend to sleep for 13ish hours. Yes, very unhealthy, but this works for me.

3. What is your system for taking notes?
Taking notes... I outline chapters or i use notecards for important people or terms.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Notecards/takenotes/highlight information or key words

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Agh, this is bad but i study one day ahead. Just one day ahead, idk about you but it works for me. Like for my psychology class everyone scores so bad and our class average is like a 50 for the tests but I always score the highest and its usually the only A. I go over notes; AP review books help!!!!

6. How exactly do you study?
I read the information and take notes while I'm reading. Then review the notes.

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
If i write something down, i memorize it.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
The classes that I have a lower grade in or I want to improve in, I do that first. If i don't understand something, I tend to save that for last since If i do it first it will take up my energy.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
I work better when its a quiet atmosphere. I tend to go to sleep earlier in the day and wake up in the mornings (at like 3 AM) to study. I do hw after i get home from school and study early in the morning. This method is what my friend uses as well and it works for her. Actually alot of my friends use this method

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
you just have to concentrate, think about the big picture: Make your parents proud, make yourself proud, college is coming around the corner, you want to excel, its a huge competition... don't you want to beat other people?

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk )
JUST DO IT. face it, once its out of the way you can relax more. If you keep worrying about it and putting things off you are just putting MORE stress on yourself.


12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
I used to be in orchestra and i dropped that because i hated it and it took up so much time Now i'm in charge of so many clubs. Its really hard because some of them meet on the same days and blahblah... And NHS hours and.... I manage though. its all about planning ahead of time.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
I tend to make a time table so that i know when to do what in a certain time frame.

[xm1chelle]

1. What grade are you in currently? junior

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? 5

3. What is your system for taking class notes? listen 60% of the time, take notes 40% of the time (if i take simple notes & listen most of the time, i can elaborate on my notes)

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? review the notes and use a secondary source (ie., textbook, workbook)

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? i manage my time by puting the test as a priority

6. How exactly do you study? i review my notes, then do other class homework, then i go back to studying for that test (so i don't have to concentrate on one thing over and over again - it gets tiring)

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? read it through once, do other homework, then review those notes again

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? ap classes first (ap english, ap calculus, then apush), then journalism, then physics, then korean

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you? i personally work better not under pressure - if i procrastinate, i tend to do worse (since i don't have enough time)

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? shut off all outside sources (ie., t.v., internet, computer) & dont every lay down in bed (it makes you sleepy)

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? i remind myself, work 1-2 years more harder, then college (i need to go to a good school for a good job)

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? i tend to put my schoolwork first, and though i manage to do other activities, schoolworks comes first (since i'm the board member of two clubs, i ask my other board members if they could help with one meeting and i'll manage the next), for sports, i practice around 2 times a week (i do two sports - each two times), for the school newspaper, i ask my editors for an extension if necessary, and im done with playing musical instruments (:

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? start automatically when you get something, don't procrastinate, do a little by little and you'll be on the road to success (:

[akenon]

1. What grade are you in currently?
12th. Classes for the year: AP English Lit, AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, Japanese 7-8, Government/Economics, School Annual

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
Around 4-5 hours a day on a good/average day. Usually I'm okay with that, but certain days when I overwork myself I come home from school, fall asleep, and don't wake up until around 10 the next morning. :T

3. What is your system for taking class notes?
Usually, I try to write as much as I can without trying to make my notes look really nice and organized. Then, as soon as I can I decode whatever I wrote before I forget it. My writing gets really messy when I rush.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Highlight like there's no tomorrow. It really helps to summarize all the important things from a sentence by highlighting. Just finding the key words makes me understand what it's talking about better. But of course it depends on the class. I like to do review problems for the more math-based ones.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Most of the time I prioritize based on how hard the material is and how long I have to study. I don't study nearly as much for Japanese as I do for AP Physics. So it depends. But usually I try to spend a little bit of each night reading over material.

6. How exactly do you study?
I read the chapter again, then do some practice problems (if applicable), then if someone wants me to I try to tutor them. Tutoring really helps to concrete the information in my opinion, because if I can learn to explain it to someone else in a way that makes sense to them, it's easier to remember what I was teaching.

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
Mnemonics work wonders. But repetition in writing also helps. Also, work a little bit at a time, because if you try to memorize too much at once you'll overwhelm yourself.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
Whatever is due first, or whatever takes the longest. It's kind of hard to explain, but if one assignment takes forever but something is due the next day, I'll do the one due the next day. But if there's one assignment that's due in two days and another that's due in a week but takes forever, I'll do the one due in a week.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Remind myself that if I get a D, my admissions could be rescinded.

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
Ironically, working in a group keeps me more focused. But if there's no other people, I usually have to sit in a hard chair that's kind of uncomfortable, have plenty of water, and some music (instrumental though).

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk )
Remind myself of the risk of getting admissions rescinded.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
I have no life. D:

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
Work a little each night

[DaAzNkIgGa627]

1. What grade are you in currently? 2010

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? 7-8

3. What is your system for taking class notes? Uhhh... when a teacher repeats it I figure it's important, I can't really describe it, usually I go over the material myself beforehand and then am ready to kind of have an overview.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? I review it beforehand in a sense so that when the teacher goes over it, it is already review....

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? I don't stress about it, I do study intervals of about 20 minutes (no longer... sometimes shorter) at a given time.

6. How exactly do you study?
Short, sweet, and in intervals

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? Do it to music, then it gets a beat (that's a trick that works for me) or do it while running and you get a beat.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? =P 1) Stuff that was procrastinated on 2) Stuff that is big term project 3) Stuff that doesn't fit the above 2

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Do it in whatever time is allotted to you at school, just do it etc.

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? I just tune in I guess is the only way to describe it.

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk blush.gif ) Because I dream large.... =P I need to achieve my dreams by working hard...

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? I do what I like to do in terms of clubs and sports, and study afterwards.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?

[Fook You]

1. What grade are you in currently?
12th - AP English Lit 12, AP Integral Calculus, AP Chemistry 12, AP Biology 12, AP Physics 12, Computer Technology 12

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
9

3. What is your system for taking class notes?
Listen and write everything in shorthand.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Just look at lecture notes and ask someone if I don't remember what it means. Or look things up online or in textbooks to refresh or extend your understanding of the material.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Depends how big the test is. Finals/Midterms/other big tests = 1 week prior. Regular tests = 2 days prior.

6. How exactly do you study?
(For small tests) Read the material, look through question sets and do the 5 hardest questions. (For big tests) Do everything you can get your hands on.

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
Don't memorize unless it's something stupid like vocab. Everything else should be remembered through understanding.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
Do which ever one I feel like doing.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Assign yourself more than you really have. So when you look at what you have to do, you'll go "OMFG GOTTA START WORKING", and then you realize you're done in half an hour.

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
Music. Well, can't really do that during school. During school you gotta learn to be a little antisocial .

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk blush.gif )
Put yourself down. Like...give yourself the biggest mental beatdown ever. Then you'll feel so bad that you can't resist doing the work to make you feel better.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
Do what comes first.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
Do them whenever something comes to mind (which sucks cuz when there's nothing at hand to write with, you're screwed). Unless of course, it's a two month project that's due in two weeks. Then you better just force stuff to come to mind.

[undiscovered]

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
7-8

3. What is your system for taking class notes?
copy every single thing

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
Depends on the subject, but if its hard just study everyday a little bit

6. How exactly do you study?
I have a really good memory so I can memorize all the pages of notes I have... so I just memorize every single word for every worksheet+notes

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
Hm.. just concentrate, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Keep reviewing for many days.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
Easiest to hardest

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Just shut it off

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
Shut it off

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk
I motivate myself by giving myself a reward after

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
Im really fast at finishing schoolwork so its no problem. Just try to be speedylicous.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
Dont leave it till last minute. Start on it right away or ASAP. Just lil at a time.

[SOCKBUNNY]

1. What grade are you in currently? Junior... (I only have 2AP classes so those are the only ones I care about... everything else I have is honors and they're pretty easy)

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? ~5hr

3. What is your system for taking class notes? I usually don't, unless it gets confusing then I'll take notes. Write down important things that the teacher goes over... I don't write much since I have the tendency of forgetting to look at notes if they're too much :/ Oh, and diagrams are handy too if you can use them.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? I do the homework.... Re-copy my notes hahaha...

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? Give at least 1hr a day to work from that class

6. How exactly do you study? I do the homework... read the notes...

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? Repetition & write it down.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? Do what I feel like first

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you? I'll tell you when I find out

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? Isolate myself from anything that might distract me, like going to the library so I won't be tempted to surf the net

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? I think about people at my school who do nothing and my goals.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? Schoolwork comes first.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? A bit at time... then a whole lot towards the end >_<

[alicimoo]

1. What grade are you in currently?
11.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Computer Science A, AP Spanish 4, College English 11 Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, Physics 1.

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
5-6

3. What is your system for taking class notes?
I don't really have one. I just try to write down everything that I feel is important and what I don't understand..and as legibly as possible.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Outline, highlight, print notes.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
I try to complete as much homework, that I know of that is due on the day of the test, two days before the day of the test so I have more time to study.

6. How exactly do you study?
Skim the main titles in the chapter, look over notes, read outlines.

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
Highlighting.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
I do the easiest first to get it out of the way. But if it's getting late, I do the homework of whichever subject I think is more important, and then if I'm not totally asleep by then, I try to complete the other easy homework (or leave it to do in homeroom/study).

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
Staying away from the computer/internet.

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
...I don't.

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk blush.gif )
I make myself feel like a failure and the idea that I'm not going to go to a good college. The fear of this makes me work...even if just for a little span of time. xD

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
I put schoolwork first, and I try to cram in as much other activities as I can. I'm involved in these school activities: varsity swim team, school newspaper, mentoring, science olympiad, after-school tutoring, S.E.A.L, volunteer club, Bible club, Pre-Med society, community development club, and photography club.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
...I don't. =/ Sometimes I try to do a little of research and stuff early on, but that's rarely.

lol, from this survey it seems like I'm a pretty bad student. But it's not as bad as it seems, I have above a 90 gpa. xD
Sorry if this doesn't help you at all. I'm a pretty bad planner/organizer myself. But the only thing that I always do is complete all my work, no matter how long it takes (even if I have to complete it in school in other classes). ..eheh. :]

[joie.de.vivre]

1. What grade are you in currently? [junior]

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? [~7, although I could get 8-9 hours if i didn't stay on FB during the night]

3. What is your system for taking class notes? [It depends on the class. I do copy down whatever the teacher personally writes on the whiteboard and jot down any extra info she says I think is *relevant* to the lecture. In bio, I usually don't take that many notes because the teacher prints out slides of her powerpt. So..basically it's a balance between writing too little and not getting enough info to study from or writing too much and missing stuff.]

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? [Highlight important parts, do the assignments...as for reviewing, I usually make study guides <--very helpful]

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? [I usually don't start studying until about two days before test day...otherwise studying too far in advance just ties up all the other stuff i have to do. ]

6. How exactly do you study? [Um, I sit down at my study desk or in front of the computer. I reread all my notes/ reskim the textbook / jot outlines again.]

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? [Make acronyms, pictures, mnemonics to help you remember lists, associations etc. Also, I find that writing your own sentence for vocab helps the memorization process.]

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? [Easy stuff like spanish / math assignments first. Then, any essays or practices for oral presentations. Then, study for quizzes/ tests.]

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you? [I do my homework in a different room from my study room, which has the computer in it haha]

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? [I listen to music when I'm distracted/ bored at home. I have not yet figured out how to stop being distracted during school.]

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk ) [the faster I finish hw, the more time I have to spend on doing what I actually want to do !]

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? [Set priorities for yourself. Also, don't push yourself too far if you find that you're having trouble juggling everything. I stopped piano practice during my cross country season. If I hadn't I probably would've been going to bed at 2 am. ewgh.]

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? [I mark the deadlines in my planner/calendar and set mini-deadlines ...which prevents me from procrastinating too much or cramming everything in the night before]

[sPark*]

i suck at the concept of studying but i fit ur little description lolls

1. What grade are you in currently? Junior (11th)

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? Depends on how i feel. I can probably manage 8 hours if i wanted to but i tend to sleep around 6 hours.

3. What is your system for taking class notes? I dont really have a system truthfully. i just jot down everything the teacher says unless the information is obviously unnecessary (but this you have to judge by the teacher's tone and etc). notes help me when absorbing the information because i repeat it over and over while i'm writing the information down.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? It depends on the subject for me, but i really dont reinforce anything i learn that day so =X i may be a bad person to ask study method questions too but i'll still try to help you out.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? i study the night before the actual test or study during class periods (that i dont necessarily have to pay attention in) in school. if the teacher gives me a study guide, i end up memorizing everything on the study guide.

6. How exactly do you study? ... Read notes, (for ap bio) read textbook, attempt to read textbook for other classes; memorize all and everything (especially those you remember the teacher emphasizing); i try to save intense studying for class periods that i dont have as much to do in. =XX

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? i just review it in my head over and over again and glance at the information once in a while. i write it down like have a self-test for vocab as in write down all the words i need to know. memorize them and then test myself to see if i know all the definitions. can do the same with terminology and historical events. just jot down short, concise, brief answers though (but be able to forumulate longer answers in ur head)

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? hmm... i dunno. i havent really thought about this. i just try to do everything. if i can help it, i stay away from the computer. usually i do all my homework in one sitting.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you? im still fighting this battle. what ive tried have been: staying away from the computer, reminding myself that i need to sleep, sleeping then waking up about 2 hours before u have to get ready for school to finish an assignment (this is effective, but very badbadbad), and simply doing work ahead of time. (force yourself to believe it will be due the next day)

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? well when i go on the computer, it's VERY difficult to become distracted but i attempt. i keep checking the time to remind myself i have to finish at a certain time to get enough sleep and whatnot. in school, it's very difficult to stay awake. hmm... i still havent conquered this yet so sorry

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk ) i remember all the previous times i procrastinated greatly and suffered for it the next day. sit down open all your books (STAY AWAY FROM COMPUTER UNTIL NECESSARY) think about your grades lolls. say to yourself that after hw you'll have all the time in the world to do absolutely nothing so relieve yourself of the burden to reach relaxation. listen to music and do homework. consider the benefits of studying/doing hw earlier.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? i just do ? i have never really had much of a problem with participating in sports and volunteer work along with a heavy load of honors and AP classes. =D i hope i never do. but so far ive just been stress free. dont fret over the stupidest things (although i do then i just let it go). i dont get stressed easily (as ive learned). dont think of everything as a burden rather enjoy yourself in whatever you're doing (be it work or sports) cuz in the end you are doing what you are doing because you have interest in it.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? horribly. but ive been improving. do small bits of the project beforehand such as researching, printing information. you dont have to actually read them or anything but just having them relieves you of that later on. write the introduction or anything you can do beforehand. dont concentrate on doing the major parts of the assignment too early on. focus on the easier parts then maybe 2 days before (if the project requires only about 2 days; depends on project kinda) do a lot more than you did earlier on. then night before finish and proofread/edit everything. in the morning it is due, get up about 30 minutes early just in case you have any last minute changes.

hopefully i helped somewhat.

[ChunJin]

My best advice especially for High School is to get a tutor. Study smarter--not harder, and this is where a tutor comes in. There's a lot of fluff in the reading(s). A lot of the material is kind of over simplified or over explained which leads to inability to do complex problems or inability to understand coherently & clearly.

A tutor will show you the tools/fundamentals that are essential, how to use them, make sure you know how to use them and even give you tips on how to study for tests.

[j i w o n.]

1. What grade are you in currently?
junior

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
6-7 hours i think. but when i have big papers due, then 5? hrs

3. What is your system for taking class notes?
I only take notes for math. other classes I kind of... don't listen ; but if i do, I just write whatever I find important.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Once again, I don't listen to a lot of the lectures, so........ but if I do take notes/listen I just look back to see the few main points I jotted down. I seriously should review everyday, but I never do. I'm the type to cram everything the night before, reteaching myself certain stuff through online sources.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
If I have more than one major test on a day, then I TRY... TRY to study ahead of time. but normally, whenever i have an ap euro test, I study for 5 hours the night before and review some main points/notes I took in the morning for 10-20 min

6. How exactly do you study?
calc- I just review my notes, my hw and see all the dfferent ways to solve problems and all that. I sometimes redo some of the problems on my notes/hw
h euro lit- no idea, still don't know; i guess know the study guide (if given) inside out.
ap euro- read wahtever i'm being tested on
h spanish4- review notes, memorize vocab

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
this is different for everyone. but for me, I like to visualize things when I read. or if it's memorizing spanish vocab, I try to find ways to connect english word to spanish word.
another method is repetition. keep repeating the info until it sticks to you. this one's time consuming, but it's really effective for me.
and of course, afterwards, review, then it'll stick to you for a long time.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
i just do wahtever i can finish quickly first. I tend to work more efficiently after 8 pm so I do the important assignments around that time.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
i still fail. if i KNOW i have to stop procrastinating, then I just stay away from the computer and yeah. I've improved a lot though. i barely go on instant messengers and yeah. soompi... i kind of stopped but here i am again -0-;

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
school, i don't eraly get distracted much. only problem i have is staying awake.

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk blush.gif )
I imagine myself without a future. that totally motivates me(: and i'm exactly like you -0-; i'm all talk too. but yeah, i have some dreams and i imagnie myself accomplishing those goals.

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.?
i don't realy have much activities. i'm in yearbook (copy editor), chorus, piano. and well piano, i recently temporarily stopped lessons. i do plan on picking it up really soon once i can manage my time better. and as for chorus.. it doesn't take much effort. i just stpend 10 minutes at least or 50 min at most reviewing my songs. yearbook, i'm only busy during deadline week. soo yeah.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)?
i've been doing better at this. i used to be seriously 100% night before person. but now for projects, I get it done quickly IF IT'S a group project. if it's a self project.. maaybe 2-3 days before.
and papers... uh i have a big paper due on thurs.. and my goal is to finish i today LOL.
& my english teacher normally assigns drafts to turn in before the final draft turn in date, so that helps me not cram everything into the paper the night before.


and here's something i want to share.
choose your classes wisely.
some people are amazing and can handle 3+ aps but me.. i couldn't even handle 2. and i'm eraly glad i dropped ap bio because i'd probably be dead by now cause one problem i had before i dropped it.. was that everytime thre's a big unit test, it coincided with my ap euro or english test. and my english class may not be 'ap; but it's uc approved-weighted class and it's really intense. in fact, all my classes are weighted (uc approved) except for chorus, yearbook. and whenever my tests coincided, i would always study ap bio more... and end up failing both tests -0-;
so, make sure your schedule's alright.

[sPark*]

My best advice especially for High School is to get a tutor. Study smarter--not harder, and this is where a tutor comes in. There's a lot of fluff in the reading(s). A lot of the material is kind of over simplified or over explained which leads to inability to do complex problems or inability to understand coherently & clearly.

A tutor will show you the tools/fundamentals that are essential, how to use them, make sure you know how to use them and even give you tips on how to study for tests.

i would like to say otherwise. not saying a tutor is a bad thing but sometimes its best to learn how to study yourself. tutors are useful but sometimes one can get too dependent on them. also tutors dont always have the best methods of teaching or are just very inexperienced. in college, you wont have a tutor to turn to.

[ChunJin]

I'm in College (Junior and I go to University of Washington). There's tons of tutors (as well as your TA is literally your tutor as well since you can always go to them for help), free tutors at that. There's also sessions where a bunch of students get together and do such activities (here they're called CLUE sessions). There's actual rooms in the libraries, even departments for tutoring.

Best idea: study groups, tutors and all the help you can receive. I learn by myself, but that's because I can understand problems rather easily. I'm the type of person who can sit down and read a book and understand what's happening--however, this is not the case with a lot of people. They need to be shown how to do something through steps.

[Voltage]

So I'll answer these questions based on some information I have received from Professors and from personal experience. This is basically how you should/might want to try things:

1. What grade are you in currently?
senior at mit
2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
7
3. What is your system for taking class notes?
Take notes by writing them in a notebook by hand. As you write down information, process the meaning and attempt to connect concepts with ideas you are very familiar with.

Example: Your teacher writes down the local max of a 2nd order polynomial can be found be setting dy/dx = 0 and testing to see if the first derivative changes from high to low.
What you should be writing and thinking: after writing the equation, you might want to use metaphors to understand the concepts. You might have learned from your physics class that the parabolic motion of an object with constant velocity in the x direction and acceleration caused by gravity in the y direction can be represented by a 2nd order equation. You understand that dy/dt is similar to the vertical velocity or ~ dy/dx. Then you connect that the peak height a projectile travels really occurs when its velocity goes from positive to negative.

Why do this? I've seen that the best students at my school are also the best at explaining concepts using extremely simple and familiar terms. The more connections you can make in your mind, the stronger your ability to recall the information and actually apply concepts in new situations.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
Same thing as above. I think the biggest reason students struggle in competitive schools is that they have become accustomed to pattern recognition. Basically, you do a homework problem and you figure out the answer. Then you take a test, but you start trying to use your methodology for answering the homework problem on test questions that are new. Now most schools actually test based on your ability to reproduce the same method/solution you came up with during practice. But you're really setting yourself up for disaster by thinking this way. When answering a problem, it is more important to know what the problem is truly asking, not the steps you took to figure it out.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
I think you must have a very sober and accurate picture of your understanding. Time spent studying should be judged on this.
6. How exactly do you study?
Take a look through your notes and reinforce those connections you made during class. Test yourself with a few practice problems and get a good nights sleep.
7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
See-taking notes

[polaress]

1. What grade are you in currently? in college

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night? I sleep about 8 hours...I guess

3. What is your system for taking class notes? I separate each of my class notes in different notebooks, but I never really look at it.

4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently? I actually don't really look back at the lecture notes, I usually end up using my textbooks. Sometimes my lecture notes are all over the place.

5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time? I "attempt" to study a few days ahead.

6. How exactly do you study? I study by reading the material, taking notes, talking to myself and studying with my classmates.

7. What tips do you use to help with memorization? memorization will be more effective, if you link it with an image.

8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload? I prioritize by which subject I'm struggling in.

9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you? thinking about my future...thinking that in the end, I'll will have my degree.

10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work? The 4.0 keeps me motivated. Because in the end, all the effort will be put off when you get the 4.0 on your transcript...

11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? ^ answers 9 & 10


12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? I'm not in any clubs right now. I was back in high school and I honestly don't even remember how I managed to get myself to volunteer at the hospital every sunday.

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? For term papers/essays in general, I usually split my days up. If I am going to write a 6 page paper, I take 6 days to write it. For projects, I basically do the same, split the questions up, do 3 a day or so (depending on when you start and when its due).

[profeminist]

1. What grade are you in currently?
12
2. How many hours of sleep do you get on average per night?
4
3. What is your system for taking class notes?
factual-cornell notes
4. What methods do you use to reinforce lectures and other class material? If so how do you review efficiently?
I remember really well after I see something once...But I do go back into the book and review sometimes...
5. When it comes time to actually studying for a test after the date has been announced, how do you manage your time?
The night before or wake up early to do it...
6. How exactly do you study?
review notes, make index card
7. What tips do you use to help with memorization?
haha, this one...I memorize really quickly...and I have a good visual memory so...yea...
8. In terms of homework, how do you prioritize your workload?
the things that are due the first...I can manage the rest throughout the day..before they're due...
9. In the never-ending battle with procrastination, what methods have been most effective for you?
getting the most urgent thing done first...but then, i work well under pressure...as in, im running out of time
10. How do you keep yourself from becoming too distracted during school or when you have to do work?
just tune out everyone...and focus on the thing that needs to get done...keep telling ureself that the other things can wait
11. How do you motivate yourself to do work? (I'm really bad at making myself do work or take any action at all. I'm all talk ) self-motivation...also i have over-achieving siblings and since I'm really competitive, i try to surpass them

12. How do you balance schoolwork with your other activities such as clubs, sports, newspapers, musical ensembles etc.? USE A PLANNER... clubs, sports, blah blah blah, all that is for when you're at school, when you're at home, concentrate on ure homework

13. Lastly, how do you manage your time long term (i.e. termpapers, projects, science fair etc.)? hahha, those are verrryy last minute...