Make Every Minute Count!

Research shows that cramming for a test doesn’t work! So don’t waste your time doing that! Rushing through homework because you have run out of time also doesn’t work! Once you get into a daily routine, using your time wisely will be automatic.

TAKE TEN!! WHAT?

10 You should “TAKE TEN.” That means you take just TEN minutes every night to organize your papers and review notes from all of your classes. You can always find TEN MINUTES. It breaks down this way:

TWO minutes to clean out your backpack and organize your papers. Put ALL of your loose papers in your HW folder or in the correct sections of your binder.

EIGHT minutes to review the Cornell notes that you took or the handouts that you received in your classes. If you don’t know about Cornell Notes, your teachers will tell you about them.

Then check your agenda to set your schedule for the night. See what assignments you have and when are they due. MATH HW? ENGLISH HW? SCIENCE HW?

As you prepare to do HW or study, decide WHEN you will review or do assignments for your most challenging subject. Some research says to do it first while you have the most concentration. Others say to do it last after you have built up your confidence doing less difficult studying or assignments. Do what works best for you. 1.English essay 2.Science worksheet 3.Spanish project 4. DONE!!!

Make sure all your necessary supplies, like paper and pens, are in one location. Otherwise, if you need to get up to get something, you may get distracted and start playing games!

NOW YOU ARE READY TO BEGIN. START!

When studying, use the 80/20 rule—spend 80% of your time on the 20% that you don’t know well. If math is not your strong subject, then spend most of your time reviewing math problems.

You should only study or work on completing an assignment for about minutes and then take a break. Research shows that physical activity helps your brain to re-focus, so during your ten-minute break, DO something (Take a short walk or DANCE!) DO NOT make it “screen time,” checking texts or playing video games. The idea is to do something that engages your body, not just your mind.

Shake Break! HY

Some research indicates that you should study for a multiple-choice test just before sleeping when you mind is most likely to retain the information until the morning.

Here are other ways to review DAILY

Fill in any gaps in your Cornell notes and add higher- level questions and/or a summary if you didn’t already do that in class. If you already have written questions, quiz yourself by folding over your Cornell notes so that just the questions are visible. Then try to answer them without looking at your notes. QUIZ YOURSELF (BEFORE YOUR TEACHER DOES!)

To remember facts, make flashcards or go to online practice sites like or create mnemonic devices, like the acronym PEMDAS

Another Tip Be sure to ask your teacher before the test about the format and content, so you can build your study time around a specific kind of preparation. You prepare for a multiple choice test differently than preparing for an essay. To save time, you want to always be focusing your efforts. It’s too late after you take the test to find out that you were confused.

Before you go to bed, put all of your completed homework in your HW folder in your binder. Make sure you have all the books and supplies you need too. No time will be lost at school while you frantically look for your homework or your calculator, buried somewhere in your backpack.

Also, do a final check of your agenda. Did you do everything? Besides your HW, did you need to get a form signed or did you need to bring money into school? If you manage your time in the evening, you will be all ready for the next day!

An Important Note: Circadian rhythms are the 24-hour sleep- wake cycles that direct a wide range of biological functions and can affect learning. Studies have found that for many students the times when they are most alert and ready to learn are late morning and late afternoon. That means that the best times for you to do homework and study may be during Raider Rally (10:30—12:06) and immediately after school. It is estimated that the one hour you spend studying and completing assignments in daylight will take you one and a half hours at night.

Finally, your path to your BRIGHT future starts the first day of high school. Every grade counts and is part of your academic record. It’s never too early to plan for success.