Many students complain that they don’t know how to study, so I’ve compiled this short and sweet page of the basics.

Perhaps now, as the first grading quarter winds to a close, is a good time to read down this list and get back on track with these five essential good-student behaviors:

How to Study

Five Basic Practices for Academic Success

Do all your homework, on time, every day. Teachers assign homework so as to give you the practice you need to learn and remember the material. The single most important thing you can do to understand better, remember more, and score higher grades is to always do all your homework thoroughly (even the “optional” stuff) and on time.

Study in a calm, distraction-free place. Your bedroom is one of the worst places to study because it’s full of distractions. And certainly don’t read while sitting on your comfy bed; you’ll soon be half asleep and zoned out. The best places to study are the library or at your dining room table at home. You want a quiet place with a clear desk, a straight-backed chair and good lighting.

No multi-tasking. Put your cell phone in another room so it doesn’t distract you (you can take breaks and check for messages periodically if you like). And, don’t listen to music while you study; research shows that although music may make studying feel more pleasant, it does so by distracting and causing you to learn less deeply.When you study, focus 100% on what you are studying!

Get your work done earlier in the day. The later you wait, the less you’ll feel like doing your homework, so get it done ASAP. Use your study halls at school, and then finish up the rest of your work as soon as you can…then enjoy your well-deserved free time in the evening!

Write. Writing helps your brain process and remember information. Take notes in class, take notes as you read, and always do math problems on paper, not just “in your head.”