Setting the mood to study.

Before you sit down to study or do homework, make sure that you have every possible distraction taken care of, so your studies will not be interrupted. Such as unplugging the phone, having a clean surface area to work at, setting the lighting correctly for your eyes, etc. Also make sure you have everything at your space, that you might need, like pens, paper, something to drink, candy,etc. If you like to listen to music while you study, get that going. Do everything possible so you do not have to get up and break your concentration level. Have everything you need before you sit down for a few hours of study. Run to use the bathroom before you sit down...one less distraction.

Rest, Rest, Rest!!

Getting a good rest is a very important thing to put on your study agenda. Not only for your body, but also for your brain. It is much better to study and rest, then to cram all night and be dead tired for the test or exam the following day. With a good rest, you will be in a better position to logically and rationally choose more accurate or correct answers.
What´s the point of staying up all night to cram for a test, when you (and your brain) will be to tired to function, let alone remember anything that you studied.

Set a Timer

Does your concentration waver when you are studying? One practice for focusing your attention on your work is to set a timer and see how much you can accomplish during a given time.

Completing Homework Quickly

Remember there is a fine line between “quickly and efficiently” and “haste makes waste”. Find where the line is for you and work at optimum speed and efficiency.

Improve Class Participation Grades

Improve your grades by participating in class discussions on current events.
Take a few minutes each day to find out about important issues in the news. Share your new insights during class discussions.

Study a Little Every Day

Studying 10 minutes a day for a week is more effective than 70 minutes the day before the test.

Read, Read, Read!!

Always read the assigned literature. Read it through the first time without taking notes. Even if you don´t comprehend it all, just read it through anyway. Then the next time through you can start taking notes and write down questions you may want to ask the teacher. But that first reading is very important. If you feel you are not getting it, keep reading. Your brain will be picking up items and tucking it away for later, like test time.

Use Primary Resources

Use primary resources when writing a report or research paper. You will get a better feel for your subject and teachers will be impressed with your research. Both will translate into better grades.

The Purpose of Homework

Homework over new skills is often designed to increase your speed and efficiency. Developing new skills may be compared to using directions to a new location. The first time or two you may need to stop and look at the directions often, but after you have been to the new location several times you can get there “with your eyes closed”.

Rewrite!

Write, write and rewrite--plan to rewrite essays and reports. Label and save your drafts until the final revision is completed. You may find a place for that phrase you edited out earlier. Few GOOD writers get it right the first time.

Take Five

“Take five!” Break up your study time. Reward yourself. Do something you like to do. Use a timer to remind you when breaktime is over.

Written Papers: One step at a time

When writing an essay or research paper, take a few steps to prepare yourself before you actually write. This will be beneficial even for the shortest essay, or the smallest topic.
Put all your individual ideas on post it notes (for research papers you use note cards.)
Divide your the post it notes into piles, so that the connecting or similar ideas are together in a pile.
Now go through and arrange the post it notes in each pile into a logical order. This could be chronological, or one idea builds on another.
Arranged the Piles into a logical order, same as the Post it notes.
Now you have your topics (Piles) arranged in order, and you have your ideas (post it notes) arranged in order, so all that is left is to transfer the information onto paper in a rough draft.

Where to Study?

Select a place to study. You will need proper lighting, comfortable seating, lack of distractions, and supplies handy. Think of this space as your office.

Writing and Rewriting

Write, write and rewrite--plan to rewrite essays and reports. Lable and save your drafts until the final revision is completed. You may find a place for that phrase you edited out earlier. Few GOOD writers get it right the first time.

Music and studying

Try using instrumental background music while studying, tests have shown it helps both hemispheres of the brain work synergistically, the result is better recollection and grades

Studying/test -taking

When I study or take tests, I usually get frustrated or distracted. My social studies teacher used to play instrumental music in the background. It calmed me down and I could actually feel my mind unwinding, then the answer would my pop in my head. Listening to instrumental music also makes studying easier for me.

Use a Timer

One practice for focusing your attention on your work is to set a timer and see how much you can accomplish during a given time.

Take Five

“Take Five!” Break up your study time. Reward yourself. Do something you like to do. Use a timer to let you know when it is time to get back to work.

Ask Questions!!

If you don´t understand an area of your lecture or a concept, ask the teacher!! If you feel funny doing this in class, then wait until after class. But don´t just let it slide and make up excuses, like you can figure it out on your own or that it probably won´t be on the test. There is nothing wrong with saying "I just don´t get it". Once you do ask and the instructor explains it to you, you will feel so much better and less confused. It will even help you with other related topics and could help your test scores.

Increasing Concentration Time

If you have difficulty concentrating for the time it takes to complete assignments, find out how long you can concentrate. Start with a time that is comfortable for you. Gradually increase the amount of time you keep on task before you take a break.

Read the Question First

When doing a worksheet or taking a test over a written section read the questions first. This skill will help you focus on what is important and improve your comprehension.

Use Primary Resources

Use primary resources when writing a report or research paper. You will get a better feel for your subject and teachers will be impressed with your research. Both of these will translate into better grades.

Share Your Goals

Share your goals with a friend. This can reinforce your determination to succeed. When you and a friend share your goals with one another you can also celebrate one another's successes.

Increasing Concentration Time

If you have difficulty concentrating for the time it takes to complete assignments, find out how long you can concentrate. Start with a time that is comfortable for you. Gradually increase the amount of time you keep on task before you take a break.

Improve Your Vocabulary

Use new words you hear or read to improve your vocabulary. Write down any new word you encounter then find its meaning in the dictionary. Tape the new words to the bathroom mirror. Use each new word three times in conversation or writing and it is yours! Replace the words you have mastered with others you find. Keep a list of your new vocabulary words and watch it grow. If you use this technique you will breeze through the vocabulary on the college entrance exams.

Use Site Maps

Make the most of your online time by using the site map available on most homepages as you would a table of contents.

Alternate Activities

When doing chores or homework alternate things you don't mind doing with those you don't like to do

Study Daily

Study a little each day rather than just before the test. Studying 10 minutes a day on vocabulary words is more effective than 70 minutes the day before the test.

Improve Reading Comprehension

Do you forget what you have read before you get to the questions? When answering questions over a written section, read the questions first. This skill will help you focus on what is important and improve your comprehension.