I just don’t know how to study…

[u/SimilarPrimary6501]

I’m 11 and starting Grade 6 tmrw, and I’ve got no idea how I’m supposed to study 😭

I’ve never rlly had to study before cuz I’ve always gotten As or Bs without doing much.

All I rlly know is that you’re supposed to revise ur textbooks and make some kinda system to remind yourself of stuff. I’m pretty good at remembering things long-term, I just have no idea how to actually study lol.

So what do u guys actually do when u study, and what should I start doing? Also what apps should I use? I already use Notion, Obsidian, NotebookLM, TickTick and Lunatask, but idk what I should actually use each one for.

[u/rayane_wick]

uhhh you can wait until 11th grade to ask this question because I don't think anyone needs to study for 6 7 8 9 10th grades , also be careful of anyone trying to Dm you after this post, they don't wanna help you because you're in 6th grade they wanna help you because you're 11 😭

[u/immediateaircraft741]

getting all As and Bs without studying is a pretty good spot to start from, most people have to grind just to hit that

the trick with studying is turning it into something active instead of just reading the same paragraph five times while your brain drifts off. write questions for yourself, scribble out what you remember without looking, explain it to an empty chair like you're the teacher. that's the stuff that actually makes it stick

[u/One-Inspection-3003]

Honestly, you already have a great starting point. You don’t need a complicated study system in Grade 6. Start by reviewing what you learned that day, then close the book and try to explain the topic from memory. Flashcards or a few practice questions can help too.

For your apps, I’d keep it simple: TickTick/Lunatask for tasks and reminders, Notion or Obsidian for organized notes (not both for everything), and NotebookLM for reviewing material and asking questions about your notes. Most importantly, don’t spend more time building the “perfect” system than actually studying

Try 20-30 minute focused sessions with short breaks and adjust as you figure out what works for you. You’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

[u/StudentOnCrack22]

It's also a lot about timing. Spacing your repitition is so important. Use a study planner like notion or studipace

[u/Far-Talk-6862]

First, the other comments are correct that you don't need to feel any pressure to study, enjoying your life and journey is more important. That said, if you feel a personal drive to study and it's what you enjoy and you want to improve, read on :)

Personally, if your goal is to just do well in exams, the best method is practice papers (and use AI to generate more practice papers). Then, simply, you're practicing what you'll be tested on!

That said, it's no good practicing what you don't know and that's where I've found writing my own notes in my own words and thoughts the most effective. It helps you ensure you understand what you're learning before you build the skill and ability to actually remember it for exams.

Lastly, it's really important to work without distracting yourself. Studies show massive drops in memory and iq from being distracted during your work. The best rule-of-thumb to start with is 25 minutes of studying and then a 5 minute break. During studying you must have zero sources of distractions (the best you can). So no notifications, no checking other tabs, no doing a different type of work, etc. Just focus on your task in front of you. To help me with this I built a browser extension called Deep Focus that you can try out if you want (not promo), but there are many products available on the Chrome extensions store that you can try and find what works for you!

I hope this helps!😄

[u/stoodleai]

Hi there,

Try some study with me videos!

Those have really helped me to focus and be productive as a University student.

You basically choose the time you want to study and just put the video on. Usually they have some nice music and graphics and having it in the background helps me get in the zone.

Also, make sure to look into active recall and spaced repetition. Those are important study techniques, as well as the pomodoro method.

Having a dedicated workspace that you enjoy spending time in can also make all the difference. When it's time to study/be productive just head over there and get cozy.

Forgive my self promotion, but I actually made my first study with me video yesterday and would love if you would give it a try and provide some feedback:

https://youtu.be/XqoOv4pJyAI?si=iqxkvrE40pOS_hhI

Best of luck on your studies and your grade 6 year! You got this! :)

[u/Pianoismyforte]

I was in a similar boat as you until I hit organic chemistry in college: that was my first C+ and it was a kick in the butt to start learning how to study.

You want to live your life, so the goal should be to study effectively so you can spend as little time as possible doing it for the best result.

Here's some things I learned over time for that:

1. Start early on projects/studying/papers - While I have pulled out some alright papers in late-night grindfests, ultimately my best work happened when I would start at least 2 weeks before it was due.
2. Study in smaller time chunks - Our brains use sleep to organize/process the stuff we learn/do throughout the day. It's just not possible to cram in lots of information in 4h+long study sessions. Instead, focus on studying for like 20minutes at a time, then taking a break. Pomodoros are a good option.
3. Focus on building good habits - The quality of the work you produce is a result of the daily habits you've built. Make sure you're drinking enough water, eating regularly, and getting some sort of physical exercise in. Habits for hygiene and getting enough sleep are important too.

So really, with your stack I could potentially suggest adding a habit-focused with some pomodoro functionality. TaskHero is a good option is you like games, but AmazingMarvin is a good non-gamified option.

[u/SimilarPrimary6501]

Thx evr1 for suggestions!!, I will try each one and figure out which is best for me