As the holidays approach, excitement fills the halls along with the decorations.  However, don’t let this distract you from academics.  Although it may be hard, studying is the way to success.  Here are some tips on how to succeed while studying.

First, a new learning technique called “spaced repetition” involves breaking up information into small chunks and reviewing them consistently over a long period of time.  So don’t try to memorize the entire periodic table in one sitting—instead learn a few rows every day and review each lesson before starting anything new.  Also, research suggests studying the same information in a different place every day makes us less likely to forget that information.  Every time we move around (from the library to the coffee shop or the coffee shop to your living room), we force the brain to form new associations with the same material so it becomes a stronger memory.

Thirdly, quizzing yourselves may be one of the best ways to prepare for the actual test or quiz.  The harder it is to remember a piece of information in practice mode, the more likely we are to remember it in the future.  Finally, research suggests we store information more securely when we write it out by hand than when we type it. Start by recopying the most important notes from the semester onto a new sheet of paper.

Stay focus everyone and good luck!

By Emily Brown ’18

As seniors finish up their college applications and begin to receive acceptance letters, it’s time for them to start thinking about which school they ultimately want to attend. Choosing the schools to apply to was already a difficult process, but picking the school you will be attending for the next four years is. The process is laden with anxiety, as it’s a huge commitment.

There will be doubt in the decision-making, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. As you weigh the several options, remember back to why you applied to each school. Revisit your short list of schools and create a pros and cons list for each of schools. There’s many factors that go into the final decision, therefore it is important to include all aspects of the college when choosing, including the size, distance, cost, and programs. Identify which are of most important to you, and use the rankings to compare the schools you were accepted into. Think about why you want to go and where you want to be four years from now. After the four years, the end goal is to hopefully land a job with the degree, so investigate the job connections at the schools. It is important that the school is accommodating and helpful when the time comes to find a job after graduation. Finding a job after college may seem like the last thing on your mind, but it is the final goal of obtaining a degree.

By following a direct and depth path, you will be able to avoid several mistakes. Make sure not to choose a college because someone you know is attending the same school. College is an important time to learn about yourself, and that will be impossible to do while focusing a huge time in your life on someone else.Another mistake to avoid is relying on the school’s reputation. Just because the school is “highly-ranked” and “prestigious” does not mean it is the right school for you.

The college process can cause a lot of stress, especially if you leave it all until May. Make time for research and visiting schools now before it all comes at you at once. In the end, it will all work out and you will end up where you are meant to be. With all the college stress happening, remember to still enjoy your final year at high school.

By Erin McDermott’18

As a student, schoolwork seems to be never-ending. All the homework can be daunting, especially if you also play sports or have a job after school. However, your stress can be relieved and the work can be managed through easy and doable tips.

The first tip I have to balance your schoolwork is to make a list! Something so simple seems to mention, however it makes a huge impact on managing homework. Start by creating a checklist of the tasks you have. Personally, I create a checklist on Monday of the work I know is upcoming in the week, so a checklist for everyday. In the notes app on the iPad it is easy to create a checklist with the new addition they added to the app. On top of the keyboard there is a bubble you can add to your note that allows you to check it off. I find this makes it easy to create a checklist that allows me to add or remove schoolwork throughout the week. The satisfaction of filling in each bubble will keep you motivated to continue working.

Tackle the hardest homework first. Your first thought is to probably procrastinate and put off the most difficult homework. However, getting the hard stuff out of the way first when you’re most alert makes it easy to power through the homework. You don’t want to be finishing your hardest piece of homework during your lunch period. Also remember not to rely on a free period to do your homework as you never know what might happen, leading you to not being able to complete your homework.

Work in a comfortable, but distraction-free place. I find it impossible to focus on my school work when the place I’m doing it is cluttered and messy. My mind will drift off to how I need to clean it. Therefore, creating a space that is organized and free from distractions is key to being able to complete your work. Find a comfortable chair to work at and put your phone away. Keeping your phone away will be hard but it is worth it in the end as a main distraction will not be accessible to you.

Remember to take a break every now and again. It’s hard to stay focused on homework when you have been doing it for long periods of time. Doing homework can be both time- consuming and frustrating, but by staying focused, organized, and motivated you can get your homework done in a timely manner and still have time for other activities after school.

By Erin McDermott ’18