This picture is pretty funny. Sometimes this feels true. It doesn’t have to be like this. Think Out Here can help!
Social’s Studies, like any other subject, requires a high level of effort to have full comprehension of the material. It is a memory-based course, and the curriculum in BC, even through Canada and worldwide, is very much structured this way. However, simply reading and writing does not equal a complete understanding. To fully grasp the concepts and materials that are given, one must immerse him or herself in the subject. Here are a few tips that I have picked up from being a student and a tutor that can help students in their quest to master Social Studies.
1.) Be What You Are Learning!
Socials is unique as it deals with certainty and facts (for the most part). Social Studies is a lot like science in this way, where there is a lot of material to memorize. This makes it somewhat easier to imagine yourself in the particular setting which you are studying. For instance, if you are studying the Black Death, the plague that ravaged Europe during the 1300s, try to imagine yourself as a person during that time. Think of questions like “Why is this happening?”, “How is this happening?”, “Who is this happening to?”. This will give you a better understanding of the particular situation and will also allow you to add a personal identity to the history you are studying. It is easy to see how something that happened so long ago may be irrelevant; however, all of the events that have led up to the present have contributed to shaping the world you live in today.
2.) Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
Repetition should be a huge part in your studying recipe. Simply going over the text once will have little to no effect when it comes to registering information. Let’s be clear though, I am not suggesting that you should read something ten times either. What you should do is find interactive ways to go over the information repeatedly. Flash cards, mini quizzes, and even conversing with another person are effective ways to get repetition on a subject without it going stale. Study until you feel completely confident. Many students make the mistake of studying for a certain amount of time, which they assume is sufficient. You aren’t ready until you feel confident; don’t stop studying until you reach that feeling.
3.) Don’t Stress. Relax.
As a student, it takes time to learn a concept or idea. This is no different in Socials Studies. If your idea of studying is waiting till the last day to study for a big unit test, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. What generally happens when this occurs is a sudden rush of anxiety, which will block any real progress from occurring. What I suggest is that you begin studying (lightly) a week and a half before your test and that you slowly increase the process day by day. Studying means that flash cards, notes, etc. are already made and this time is used just for reviewing. A well-prepared student is a successful one. Realistically, if a student takes an extra 15 minutes each day to prepare vocabulary flash cards or do one extra review sheet, he or she will lock the information into his or her long term memory; no more sweating over tests and exams. This will lead to a more confident student who will know everything he or she will need for the test.
Also, don’t forget to take breaks! Go for a stretch, or better yet, go for a walk. Living in Vancouver provides the wonderful opportunity of walking outside and seeing a beautiful landscape, which can be really relaxing.
Overall, these tips could really be used for other subjects, as well. If you need help getting organized or setting up some good habits, Think Out Here’s tutors or more than happy to help! Just contact us and set up a home-tutoring session. Think Out Here’s tutors will give helpful study tips and strategies to give you confidence and change your grades.
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cool post, hope these tips will be useful for my upcoming test!