Dear Ursuline Families:

In my eight years serving as Ursuline’s Dean of Academics, every October, I received numerous questions about studying. Students came to see me about a class and/or a grade, and these students shared that the study hours they dedicated to preparing for a test or the techniques they had relied on in previous years were no longer working. These discussions often led to exploring new study techniques, and students later reported back with successful results. I would like to share a summary of these study techniques conversations.

Effective Study Techniques:
Students use a variety of study methods, and some are more useful than others. Here are a few techniques that can help your daughter achieve better academic results:

1. Active Techniques: Methods like spaced repetition and active recall (engaging with the material, stepping away from it, and then returning to it across a span of time) can help your daughter remember information longer and improve her retention.
    
2. Summarization and Concept Mapping: These techniques aid in grasping complex concepts and deeper understanding.
    
3. Time Management and Prioritization: Efficient use of study time is paramount. Encourage your daughter to manage her time wisely to maximize her study sessions.

Research-Backed Methods:
Research supports the effectiveness of certain study techniques. For example, students who studied a lesson and then wrote their own study questions outperformed students who simply restudied the material by 33 percent on a follow-up test. Additionally, generating challenging questions that identify mission-critical information and start with the words “explain,” “why,” or “how” can significantly enhance learning. (Sources: Bugg & McDaniel, 2012; Ebersbach, Feierabend, & Nazari, 2020; Levin & Arnold, 2008)

Less Effective Techniques:
On the other hand, study techniques such as highlighting and rereading – techniques commonly used in middle school – are not as effective. Decades of research show that simply re-reading written material is a passive study technique that can give a false sense of fluency. If a student chooses to simply reread her notes to prepare for a test, when she takes that test, she may forget what she read if she did not actively engage with the material in additional ways. In other words, studying is a two-way street: your daughter needs to put information into her brain, and she needs to draw it back out. Using this approach will help the chances that when your daughter actively tries to retrieve things from her memory on test day, she will recall because she will have retained the information.

Overcoming Obstacles:
Even if your daughter knows how to study efficiently, other obstacles can impact your daughter’s ability to study. Insufficient sleep can negatively affect focus and retention. Time management is also crucial – a busy after-school schedule can make it challenging for your daughter to prioritize studying. Encourage your daughter to make sure her weekly schedule is reasonable and sustainable, with space for sleep, studying, and downtime. Consistent use of efficient study habits may ultimately make learning more enjoyable, reduce stress, and contribute to your daughter’s academic success.

To assist you in staying informed of your daughter’s academic progress, you can click here for a My BackPack refresher to check her grades.

You and your daughters are in my prayers. Wishing everyone a beautiful fall!

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Smith