Dear Kathy,
As exam season approaches, I feel like I do not have time for anything and I am always studying.
Although I try to plan out my schedule so I can study over a course of time, I always find myself
cramming the night before. At first, I was able to manage this lifestyle, but as the weeks have
passed by, I feel too tired to even get out of bed at this point. Do you know any ways that I can
study more efficiently? Thank you!
Sleepy & Studious Student

Dear Sleepy & Studious,
You and a lot of other students your age share this same exact problem, almost every student will
face it at least once in their high school career. However, this problem can be easily managed
with a couple tips and a bit of discipline.
My biggest tip is to write down your assignments and tests as soon as you hear about them,
writing them down will help you remember them and also visually plan it out. You can write
them down in a calendar, a planner, or even an application on your phone. There are a bunch of
different ones online, you will forsure find one that works for you!
Once you have your assignments written down, start scheduling and planning out your
assignments and assessments for the next week or so. Make sure you leave room for breaks and
other activities, so don’t overpack your schedule! Try to aim for at least an hour of school work a
day, whether it may be studying, homework or even reading a book.
When it is time to do work and study, make sure to go somewhere quiet and with no distractions.
Turning off your phone and other devices such as a tv will also help aim your focus towards only
studying. If you are someone who easily gets distracted and off track, remember that the more
distractions is equal to the more time you spend on schoolwork. If your target study goal is 3
hours for a unit test, split it up and do 30 minutes a day for a week, this way you won’t find
yourself cramming for it the night before. Also remember that cramming is not very effective
and is not worth losing sleep over, if you spread out your studying you should be confident
enough that you will do well! Goodluck and make smart choices with your habits!
Sincerely,
Kathy