Global research shows that study habits are the most important predictor of academic performance. For many students, the COVID-19 pandemic directly interrupted their school life, leading to significant learning loss and increase in mental health issues.
However, for some students, reflecting on that loss has helped them now. Nonnewaug junior Leah Dorsey decided to share that in a self-made study guide aimed at students wanting to improve their studying habits.
“When I was in sixth grade, the pandemic took a toll on my learning and academic growth,” Dorsey shared in her study guide. “I started to not care about school since it was online. I had gone from the top of my class to a less than stellar student. I didn’t really have a lot of motivation.”
Today, everything has changed for her. Nonnewaug English teacher Rebecca Gambardella says that Dorsey was one of her top students.
“After COVID, I realized I should really lock in and get things done,” Dorsey said, “and studying was one of the ways I could do that. In my study guide, I wrote about healthy studying habits and what people can do to improve their studying. A lot of people don’t even know how to study.”
Gambardella agrees.
“I think that students have never been taught how to effectively study and that a studies skills class would be really good,” said Gambardella.
Dorsey admits that part of the problem started with her.
“I struggle with using my phone a lot,” Dorsey said. “It’s hard to get started with studying, so basically I wanted to share ways you can improve that and take time away from your phone to study and do well academically.”
Gambardella, whom Dorsey has shared her study guide with, said additional approaches can help as well.
“Take really good notes in class,” she said. “Freshman year, I do teach [students] how to take Cornell notes, and I know a number of other teachers do as well. If you have that foundation freshman year, it really helps with studying.”
In her study guide, Dorsey wrote about the different approaches she takes to her personal studying, including tying a hair band around her phone’s notification bar, using flashcards, and color organization. One of them is also the 20-20-20 rule.
“What this means is to take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. By doing this, you can refocus your attention on what you are learning,” Dorsey states in her guide. “Using that, it’s one of the best methods, along with time management in general. I study whenever I need to; I don’t really have a set schedule. But when I do study, I outline my time, focus, and get everything done.”
Dorsey, who is also balancing her time with working for her Supervised Agricultural Experience and practicing with her color guard team, has shared this study guide on her Instagram.
“A few people have [reached out and requested I share my study guide], and I think it’s helped them because a lot of people just need help starting to study,” Dorsey said. “So having that there for them helps them find out what studying is and how they can do it.”
Gambardella also said that many students don’t know where to begin when it comes to taking notes and studying after school.
“If you have never been taught how to take notes, there are a number of really good YouTube videos, and any teacher in this building I’m sure would be happy to help teach you during flex or Focus,” Gambardella said. “I also think in addition to class notes, sticky notes, Post-It notes, inside textbooks, or the Post-It feature if it’s an online text [are useful].”
Dorsey said creating flashcards has helped her especially.
“They are a good strategy because they target key information,” she said. “Still, they can be more difficult because you have to use them more frequently to memorize the information.”
“Flashcards are really helpful,” Gambardella agreed, “but I don’t think kids use those as much anymore. There is also a method where you can fold paper in half to quiz yourself.”
Dorsey narrowed her postsecondary plans down some time ago, and says it has helped motivate her academically, as well as prepare for college.
“I definitely think my interest in entrepreneurship helps me,” she said, explaining her goals of studying business after she graduates. “Taking the time to get into good habits is going to help me in the future.”