Preparing for exams can be challenging, repetitive, and downright exhausting, especially when you have to study for multiple tests at the same time.  Many students still struggle with how to tackle the topics covered, take effective notes, and retain essential information. Here are some tips and resources to help boost your test scores and grades no matter where you stand academically. 

Social Studies:

When studying for Social studies subjects like history and government, focus on recording only the most critical and easy-to-forget information, rather than every detail given. 

• • Noting down Key dates and Information: Make sure to always note down any key dates mentioned in lectures. They are very likely to show up on tests and you should know the significance and importance of them
  • Create mnemonic devices: Mnemonic devices are a way to make remembering critical information easier and faster. For example ‘never eat soggy waffles’ is a mnemonic device to remember compass directions.

• Utilize credible and accurate resources: Youtube has a lot of quick overviews of major historical events. Websites such as Britannica and Quizlet are popular sites that provide quizzes and interactive resources to make exam preparation more fun and engaging 

Overall, these simple tips will make a massive difference when taking social studies assessments. You have to approach it in a concise and organized manner and remember to always pay attention and jot down any repetitive information. 

While taking notes in mathematics and heavy numerical-based sciences is helpful, these subjects require a different approach. Instead of just jotting things down to master the skills needed, take some time and complete practice exercises and problems of varying difficulty. This allows you to not only know the information but also be able to apply it.

Mathematics and Science:

• Complete some practice exercises: Try working on some practice quizzes of varying difficulty. You could do some practice problems in order to see just how accurate you are. 
• Relate to the real world: Try finding problems that relate to the real world, some students find it easier to understand topics when it’s being compared in a real-life situational setting rather than a hypothetical/theoretical reality. 
• Refer to resources: Khan Academy is a perfect free resource you can use that covers just about every math there is. The Chemistry tutor on YouTube is also a popular choice if you want to watch videos on recaps of certain topics.

In general, keep up with the instructors and pay attention whenever they repeat a certain definition, common errors, and other key information. These are usually on the test and often can cause students to perform poorly in that assessment if not understood and implemented correctly. Utilize school time for some extra help, ask questions during class if you are unsure about anything, and use your friends and classmates as a tool as well, communicating with them and helping each other out when you can. 

These essential studying and communication skills will not only help in high school but also post-secondary schooling studies, the workforce, the military, and many other pathways.  These are life skills that you will need no matter the journey you take upon.