Habits for Success!

Middle School is the prime time to develop habits for success in school! That means figuring out how you learn best, establishing a study routine, asking questions, and working hard! You may not get straight A's, but good habits will get you far in life, and ultimately, you glorify God when you try your best!

Create your own students FACTS account!

Follow the link to watch a video on how to do that! You can use this to check your grades and look for assignments you are missing.

Create a FACTS account!

Let's Get Organized!

Time-Management is an important skill to learn! Let's start organizing our time so that we accomplish what needs to be done. Make use of your assignment notebook and monthly calendar. Planning ahead will relieve stress and help you feel more prepared!

Weekly calendar.pdf

Daily Organizer-Master Copy

Note-Taking

Here are some tips for taking notes:

#1 - Notes Need to be Easy to Use!

Write the subject, the day, and the date at the top of each page.

Leave lots of space between sentences.
Use abbreviations and symbols for words.
- Examples: “Because” = b/c, “=” “equals”, or “is”, An arrow = “results in”, “produces”, b/w = between
Don’t worry about writing complete sentences or spelling correctly, unless asked to do so or unless misspelling would lead to confusion.

#2 - Take Notes on Important Things!

Write down only the topic, main ideas, and important details—not every word that’s said or read.  
Write down questions the teacher asks. Find the answers when you are studying later.  
Copy information that’s displayed on the board.  
Star, circle, or underline anything that the teacher repeats or tells you is  important to remember.

#3 - Review Your Notes!

Read over your notes at the end of the day when you are studying. Answer questions in your notes. Fix notes that don’t make sense.  
Plan ahead and be prepared for your classes. Check your notes for homework and assignment due dates.  (Write and highlight)
Save your notes and review them before quizzes and tests.

Tips retrieved from Overcoming Obstacles curriculum

You won't remember things as well as if you write them down!

Studying Strategies

General Hints:

Review notes and homework from classes and books.  
Make a master list of important information on a sheet of paper or on index cards.
- Especially what teachers have warned us about!!
Use your master list to quiz yourself.  
"Teach" someone else (a parent or sibling) about what you're studying.
If you need extra practice, have someone else quiz you!
- The danger of “study parties” with your friends is that you don't actually study! Find some classmates who will help you to *actually* study!

Memorization Tools

Rhyming
- In 1492….(Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue)!
Slogans
- “I” before “e” except... (after c)
Mnemonics
- My very energetic mother just served us nachos (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars....)

Test-Taking Strategies

When you get the test:

- Listen to instructions from your teachers!!!
- Read all of the directions FIRST.
- Pay close attention to the wording of questions. (Which one of these is NOT an example...vs. which one is correct?).
- Look over the WHOLE test before you start.

Once you start the test:

- Read through the test and find the easy questions first.
- Mark the questions you are not sure of and go back to them at the end.
- Make sure to spend the most time on the most points! (Essays/Short Answers)

Helpful Hints:

- Look for answers within the test! (You may find dates, or names to guide your answers).
- If you're on a multiple choice question, and you know one answer is wrong, cross it out! (Process of elimination).
- Follow your gut - don’t overthink and change answers.
- Make sure you've answered all of the parts of the test before turning it in. You don't want to make any careless errors!

Learn from your Mistakes!

They're proof you're trying!

Was I tired? If so, I will get more sleep next time.
Did I study? If I didn’t, I will study next time.
Did I have all of the information I needed? I didn’t know I needed to know that….I didn't pay attention during the review game...
Do I need to go over the test with the teacher to find out what happened? Maybe I can get some extra points back...
Can I do edits and receive a higher grade?
Are there any extra credit opportunities?

Reducing Test Anxiety

Before the Test

Do things to prepare! It's the best way to reduce test-related anxiety.
Space out your studying over a few days, don't just cram the day of the test
Maintain positivity about the test: don't talk yourself down or assume you'll fail
Get a good night's sleep the day before the test!
Avoid group stressing the day of the test. Try to be calm and around those who will help keep you that way
Use the moments before a test to relax. Do some sort of task that is a minor distraction.
Show up to class on time so you don't worry about being late
Consider doing some physical movement if you're feeling tense

During the Test

Remind yourself that this test is only a test
Focus on taking details and organizing them into main ideas
Remind yourself that you will do your best and try your hardest
If you feel nervous, take a few deep breaths
Read all of the instructions carefully and slowly
Ask the teacher for help if there are any directions you don't understand
Look the test over so you can make a plan to pace yourself
Use the margins on tests to write down important things you'll need to remember (formulas, key words, definitions) so you don't have to worry about forgetting them
Ignore your classmates and how quickly they are going through their test. Don't worry about when you get yours in so long as you finish!
Focus on your own test and the question at hand

After the test

Congratulate yourself! You did it!
Maintain your positive attitude and don't worry about what may have gone wrong
Reflect constructively on questions that you worked through

Adapted from AVID "Strategies to Consider for Reducing Test Anxiety."

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