Most students have busy schedules, from schoolwork, sports, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and jobs, some students just don’t have the same amount of time to put into studying that other students do. However, while studying is an effective way to boost scores and grades, many students are unsure of how to effectively study. 

When asked what a typical study session would be, many students say that they make flashcards, practice potential questions, or reread notes. 

While these are all valid ways to study, they aren’t the most comprehensive. Students will sometimes just memorize information instead of really digesting and comprehending the material they are reviewing, which makes them run into trouble when studying for a final exam. 

Instead of just memorizing information, here are some more exhaustive ways to study: 

1. Explain the material to someone else- One of the best ways to make sure that you understand material is to explain it to someone else. If in the process you forget something, or are unclear about a certain concept, you can make sure to pinpoint that and really review that material. 
2. Rewriting notes from memory- Another good way to cover what you know is to rewrite notes from memory. Pick a topic from the material you are studying and write down anything you can remember about it, and do the same for the rest of the topics. If you are missing information, review it and add it to your notes. It’s good to do this a couple of times to make sure that the information is solidified in your mind. 
3. Make a game out of it- Instead of just going through flashcards and notes, make a game out of learning your material. You can either play it by yourself or with others, and it will work to make the information seem more interesting and engaging. 
4. Add a prize- One way to make sure not only that you study, but that you study in a thorough manner is to add a prize. Based on the score you get you can get different prizes, which can really help you to be more successful and motivated. 

“I think that explaining the concept to someone else is a really good tip, I usually use it when studying for biology and explain the concepts to my friends. They will usually ask questions and then it gives me the chance to explain it to them while also reviewing it for myself,” says senior Aryam Agili- Shaban. 

“Using things like Blooket have really helped me, it’s a way to turn your topic into a sort of game that makes you want to keep reviewing,” says senior Addie Whitmyer. 

Overall, studying isn’t always the most entertaining thing, but by choosing different (and sometimes unorthodox) methods, you can trick your brain into thinking that the information is more engaging and lead to increased study time and better results. Try some of these methods the next time you study!