Setting Up a Study Schedule

Your test is coming up in six days, and thankfully, you're ahead of the game because for you, cramming for a test is a huge no-no. By giving yourself six days to prepare, you've done yourself a big favor.

Not only have you reduced the amount of study time needed per session, but you have also given yourself enough time to be perfectly prepped for your test. Great news, huh? Here's a study schedule to help you prepare for a test that's six days away. Have less time? Check out the study schedules below for fewer days.

Study Schedule Day 1: Ask and Read

In School:

1. Ask your teacher what type of test it will be. Multiple choice? Essay? That'll make a difference in how you prepare.
2. Ask your teacher for a review sheet if he/she hasn't already given you one. (i.e. test content)
3. Get a study partner set up for the night before the test if possible – even via phone/facebook/Skype.
4. Take home your review sheet and textbook.

At Home:

1. Eat some brain food.
2. Read your review sheet, so you know what's going to be on the test.
3. Reread the chapters in the textbook that will be on the test.
4. That's it for day one!

Study Schedule Day 2: Organize and Make Flashcards:

In School:

1. Pay attention in class – your teacher may be going over things that will be on the test!
2. Take home your handouts, assignments, and former quizzes along with your textbook and review sheet.

At Home:

• Organize your notes. Rewrite or type them up so they're legible. Organize your handouts according to dates. Make note of anything you're missing. (Where's the vocab quiz from chapter 2?)
• Go through your review sheet, finding the answers for every question on there from your notes, handouts, textbook, etc.
• Make flashcards with a question/term/vocab word on the front of the card, and the answer on the back. When you're finished, put your flashcards in your backpack so you can study throughout the day tomorrow.
• Stay focused!

Study Schedule Day 3: Memorize

In School:

1. Throughout the day, pull your flashcards out and ask yourself questions (when you're waiting for class to start, at lunch, during study hall, etc.)
2. Clarify anything you didn't totally understand with your teacher. Ask for missing items (that vocab quiz from chapter 2).
3. Ask if there will be a review before the test later this week.

At Home:

1. Set a timer for 45 minutes, and memorize everything on the review sheet that you don't already know using mnemonic devices like acronyms or singing a song. Stop after 45 minutes and move on to other homework. You have three more days to study for this bad boy!
2. Put your flashcards in your backpack for more review tomorrow.

Study Schedule Day 4: Memorize Some More

In School:

1. Again, pull your flashcards out and ask yourself questions throughout the day.

At Home:

1. Set a timer for 45 minutes again. Go back through your flashcards and review sheet, memorizing anything you don't have down pat. Stop after 45 minutes. You're done for the day!
2. Put your flashcards in your backpack for review again tomorrow.

Study Schedule Day 5: Finalizing memory

In School:

1. Throughout the day, pull your flashcards out and ask yourself questions again.
2. Confirm study date with a friend for tomorrow evening.

At Home:

1. Set your timer for 45 minutes and run through your flashcards and review sheet. Take a 5-minute break. Repeat the process until your content knowledge is better than your teacher's.

Study Schedule Day 6: Review and Quiz

In School:

1. If your teacher is having an exam review today, pay close attention and write down anything you haven't learned yet. If the teacher mentions it today – it's on the test, guaranteed!

At Home:

1. Ten-twenty minutes before your study partner (or mom) shows up to quiz you for the exam, review your flashcards. Make sure you have everything down pat.
2. Quiz. When your study partner arrives, take turns asking possible exam questions to each other. Make sure each of you has a turn asking and answering because you'll learn the material best by doing both. Stop once you've been through the questions a few times and get a good night's sleep.