As we transition into a new school year, one question plagues many students: How do I learn to study again?

Our seniors, along with Baldwin’s learning specialist, Ms. Beirne, offer their best advice to concerned students. 

During virtual learning, Ms. Beirne recalled the challenges many students faced, saying, “While some students enjoyed the endless time to study, others struggled emotionally with the lack of structure, making studying difficult.” 

Now the issue changes, as students worry about returning to juggling both extracurriculars and schoolwork as they did before the pandemic.  

As far as basic study tips go, Ms. Beirne said that it’s most important to use strategies that are active rather than passive. For example, instead of simply reviewing old notes, Ms. Beirne suggests redoing old homework before assessments or using notes to create a mock test. 

However, it’s important to remember that everyone processes information differently, so exploring a variety of methods is instrumental to successful study sessions. 

“The more strategies you try, the more likely you are to find what works for you,” Ms. Beirne said.

Ms. Beirne also said that one of the most important parts of learning is remembering to take care of yourself. While everyone wants good grades, sleep is just as important, and studies done by Harvard show that the material you study is best applied with proper rest. 

For students interested in exploring new methods of learning, our seniors offer some useful suggestions. 

Penelope Furnas ‘23 said that one of her favorite ways to get work done is setting a timer for an “unrealistic time” to motivate her to finish faster. If history homework normally takes you 45 minutes to complete, set a timer for 30 to motivate you to move faster. Ms. Beirne supports students using timers but added that it’s important to take a short active break in between the timed sessions. This might mean moving around, having a snack, or spending time with a pet.  

Several seniors recommended prioritizing paying attention to what teachers actually say, as opposed to just writing down what they put on the board. 

Annabelle McDonald ‘23 said, “Sometimes teachers say things in class that you wouldn’t be able to find on their canvas pages.” 

Other seniors pointed out that it’s incredibly important to spread study sessions out over a few days, to avoid anxious cramming the night before.

Whether it’s finding the perfect music for your study routine or completely rewriting your notes like Izzy Thompson ‘23, the secret to learning varies from person to person. And while the rumor that blue pen helps memory is “definitely just a myth” according to Ms. Beirne, it’s important to remember that learning is a personal journey of trial and error for all.