Winging It! by Harrison

Winging It! by Harrison - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

Final exams, leadership positions, senioritis, and the thought of leaving to go far away to school makes studying for those final exams difficult. But knowing this is the final lap of the race to begin my college career, I can’t stop now. Final exams are coming up and it takes me a while to prepare. There are many study methods to my madness.

To begin with, I have not waited until the very end to cram for my AP exams that I will be taking in the next couple of days. But instead, I have taken great notes each and every day this whole semester. I do not miss school if at all possible and really focus on listening while I am in class. Each night after class, I review my notes and write them in color markers to help me remember the information better. I have found that color stimulates my brain and helps me to retain information. I know this sounds corny for a guy, but it is something my mother taught me and it seems to work.

Another strategy to my study method is to make sure I have a study partner that I can discuss information with when I do not feel I understand it thoroughly. When I am talking to someone else or trying to teach it to someone, it helps me to retain it. I can’t tell you how many times my mother has had to listen to me explain different math and science concepts. This strategy of “teaching” her is what I have found to be the most beneficial for studying.

Finally, the old fashion method of making flash cards and writing information on the front and back of the cards is helpful. Then I just flip through them to see if I can remember the definitions, formulas, dates, or any other data I feel is relevant to the subject. I also write these in color to help make an imprint on my brain.

I know it sounds cliché, but these study methods have been what I have used since middle school. They are rather old fashioned, but why reinvent the wheel if it is what works for you. The simplest way to put it, is to study along the way and not wait until the last minute to try and cram all of the information in. It is better to apply the knowledge as you learn it so you can retain it, than it is to memorize it for one test. Last but not least, I have to have music, food, and drinks the night before as I review those flash cards.