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For the first thing, I need to be in an atmosphere that is fitting for me to be able to properly focus on the materials that I am studying. I have found it ten times more difficult to retain any kind of material if I am in an atmosphere where I cannot focus. In addition to this, I always utilize the Do Not Disturb feature on my phone. If I study while using my phone, the only thing it serves as is a distraction. Personally, if I take my attention off of my studies to check my phone I find it ten times harder to get my brain to re-engage into what I was previously working on. If I use this feature, I never know when I am getting notifications on my phone so I don't feel the need to check it very often.
When it comes to an actual method for studying, I always stay with the old school "note cards method". Writing things down has always been a huge factor of me memorizing information. With note cards, writing the information on each side of the card helps to begin to embed the information in my brain. In addition, they are very easy to carry around so I can study "on the go" if you will. I can put them in my back pack and pull them out and study at any time that I have a couple extra minutes where I am not busy, or even at the dinner table or something like that. Lastly, it is so convenient to be able to have a method of studying where I do not need to rely on someone else to quiz me or help me learn information. I've always been the type of girl to be extremely independent which is probably another reason why I like this method so much.
All throughout high school I've been using this very method and it has never failed me. Whether it be a vocabulary quiz in Spanish, or a test in chemistry or physics, note cards have been with me through it all. Especially during preparation for finals, note cards are my best friend. Last year, a couple of eighth graders were asking me if I had any tips for them before they began freshman year and the first thing that came to mind was telling them to utilize note cards. I just find them to be so helpful and efficient and that's exactly what a stressed out high schooler needs. They get the job done quickly and without much of a hassle, so I can just crank them out and then I can move right onto my next assignment. I've found plenty of other methods useful for me, but if I had to pick any one method that is the most beneficial for me it would no doubt be note cards.