Time Saving Tips
Minimize homework time by using every second in school. Pay attention in class so that you don not have to re-learn when you do your homework. During the moments you are stuck waiting in class, open your note-taking device (i.e., notebook, laptop, tablet, etc.) and reread your notes from all your classes. A few minutes in class saves a lot of study time at home
Take advantage of "Down Time"
- Use any down-time in class to look over your notes.
- Use any down-time available waiting for school to state in the morning in the cafeteria or waiting for pick up from after school activities for quick study time.
Organization Tips - Take Time to Plan on Sunday Nights
According to Susan Kruger's SOAR Study Skills, it is recommended that students spend 15-30 minutes every Sunday evening, getting ready for the week. Use your planner and write down S.M.A.R.T. goals, homework, project due dates, test dates, co-curricular (i.e., clubs), and extra-curricular (i.e., athletics) for the week.
Each School Night
Before you go to bed each school night, take the time to check your planner one last time. Did you get forms signed (i.e., field trip forms)? Is your completed homework in your book bag, on Google Docs, or uploaded to Infinite Campus? Do you have your lunch money? Is there anything else you need to take care of? Make sure everything is in your book bag (i.e., backpack) and place it by your bedroom's door or inside your home's front door.
Your Papers and Binder - if do not use digital formats (i.e., Google Docs)
- Use one 1-inch or 1.5-inch three-ring binder with inside pockets to organize all your classes. This size binder should fit in most book bags (i.e., backpacks).
- Have one plastic folder or divider pocket for each of you classes.
- Label the plastic folder or divider pockets by the course's name.
- Place ~25 to 30 sheets at the back of your binder to take notes.
- Place homework assignments in the divider pockets.
- Use the inside pockets of the binder for field trip forms, school announcements, etc.
- Never put loose pieces of paper in you book bag (i.e., backpack). If you are in a hurry, place the papers in the front of your binder to organize later.
- Create a home filing box. Place your over flow papers from your binder into this box divided by course (i.e., subject) by manilla folders. DO not through away any of these papers until you have received your final grade. These papers may be used to study for final exams.
Organize Your Study Area
- Find a place to study and do your homework with as few distraction as possible.
- Lighting and temperature of the room should be adequate to keep you focused.
- keep a small bucket handy with study supplies like pencils, erasers, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, etc.
- Turn off your cell phone and the television. Your brain can only do one task at a time. Research shows that texting and using social media while doing academic work interferes with the learning process and hinders memory.
- Stay on task if you are using your laptop (i.e., Chromebook) for homework or studying. Do not surf the internet, engage in playing games (i.e., Candy Crush, Subway Surfer, etc.), or use social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) while doing your homework or studying with your laptop (i.e., Chromebook).
- If you listen to music, make sure that it is the type of music (i.e., instrumental, classical, etc.) that does not interfere with concentration.
- Give your self a little break (no more than 45 minutes) after school to relax and eat a snack. The sooner you start your homework, the quicker you will finish.
- Do the homework you consider the most difficult first.
- Use a timer to help you stay focused while working on homework. Set the timer for the amount of time that you think the homework should take, and then work to the beat of the clock. This does not mean to rush through the work, just stay focused.
- Use tutorials from your digital textbooks or from websites like Khan Academy to help you understand any concepts causing confusion.
- Use live homework help tutors available online with website like www.tutor.com.
- Always turn in your homework. Believe it or not, this a step that some students forget.
