As I sit writing this, I have a beautiful view of a mountain out my window. I have climbed this mountain countless times throughout my childhood, adolescence, and as an adult.
In fact, I recently took my five-year-old up the track for the first time. Her reaction at the top was ✨Wow!✨
While the track has changed considerably (to improve safety 😂, it ain’t the 90s anymore) the climb is always worth the effort.
The view from the top is of surrounding houses and farmland: pineapples, macadamias, and a few vining plants. (I’m not sure if they’re passionfruit or grapes).
Every time I climb that mountain, I’m reminded that the work I put in on the climb will be rewarded at the top, once I reach my goal.
Worth the climb (and time!)
And that’s kind of how I feel about teaching study skills to students. The hard work we teachers (and the students too) put in to developing these key skills reward them (and us) throughout the rest of their lives.
A student who can take effective notes becomes an adult who can take meeting minutes, remember key details of projects, and extract important ideas from documents.
Learners who know different reading strategies to priotize reading become adults who know what is worth their time to skim, skip, or read in depth.
Students who know how to organize their time and workspace become adults who can keep their workspace functional, plan their calendars, and manage teams.
And learners who have skills to help them focus and concentrate become effective employees who earn raises, promotions, and further their own opportunities at work and in life.
So while it may seem like a waste of time to teach, and re-teach (and re-teach🙄) study skills, remember that these skills are the skills that your students will use not just in the classroom but in life.
These skills help students become effective employees, family managers, and business owners who can cope with the demands of their day with resilience.
Know that the effort you put into climbing that well-worn path is worth it because it enables your students to succeed in life.
But also know that teaching study skills to middle and high school students doesn’t have to be time-consuming or arduous.
Especially if you use study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate, of course). And we have ten for you to peruse today, as well as a free Cornell note-taking template (see the sign-up box at the bottom to grab that!).
Taking notes
The first of the study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate) we have is this one about taking notes. It accompanies the free Crash Course Study Skills video and covers
- how to adequately prepare for taking notes
- the advantages and disadvantages of paper-based and computer-based note-taking
- what to write when taking notes
- how to gauge a class
- what to take notice of in textbooks and lectures
- the outline method of note-taking
- the Cornell method of note-taking
- and the mind-mapping method of note-taking
Reading assignments
The second of the study skills worksheets for high school students is designed to be used in conjunction with the popular Crash Course Study Skills Reading Assignments YouTube video.
The video and worksheet covers
- how to assess which readings to skip, skim, or read
- the physical processes involved in reading and how they limit reading speed
- how to increase reading speed
- and techniques for reading more effectively
Memory
The next of the study skills worksheets (high school- and middle school-appropriate) we have is this one for the Crash Course Study Skills video about memory. The video and worksheet cover
- how memory works
- the importance of revision
- why our brains forget
- and techniques to revise effectively
Planning and Organization
Another of the study skills worksheets for high school (and middle school students) is this one and accompanies the Crash Course Study Skills Planning and Organization video on YouTube.
The video and worksheet cover
- how to increase the effectiveness of learning by being better organized
- tools for keeping organized including task managers, calendars, note-taking apps, and filing systems/apps
- and how to plan effectively for learning by committing to a daily or weekly review and planning session
Fous and Concentration
Another useful study skills worksheet to go with the Crash Course Study Skills videos is this one about focus and concentration.
The video and worksheet cover
- why we get distracted
- how to train yourself to increase your ability to ignore distractions,
- techniques students can use to ‘trick’ themselves into remaining more focused when studying
Procrastination
The next of the study skills worksheets for high school (and middle school) students is this one to go with the Crash Course Study Skills Procrastination video on YouTube.
The video and worksheet cover
- why we procrastinate
- what creates motivation
- how to increase motivation
- and how to increase productivity by reducing impulsiveness
Studying for tests and exams
Another of the study skills worksheets (high school- and middle school-appropriate) is this one, which is designed to be used in conjunction with the popular Crash Course Study Skills Studying for exams video on YouTube.
The video and worksheet cover
- why study needs to be spaced out over time
- how to create a study schedule
- tips on how to study actively and more effectively
- and what to do if you get stuck
Test anxiety
This study skills worksheet for high school (and middle school) students is for the popular Crash Course Study Skills Test anxiety video on YouTube.
With student anxiety on the rise, this is a great tool for the teacher toolbox to combat the before-test anxiety that many students suffer.
The video and worksheet cover
- why people feel anxious about tests
- what types of fears most people have about tests
- and how to combat the most common fears people have about tests
Papers and essays
This study skills worksheet accompanies the Crash Course Study Skills Papers and Essays video on YouTube.
The video and worksheet cover
- how to approach writing papers and essays
- how to ensure you research effectively
- how to write a draft
- and the different types of editing writers (and students) should do
Crash Course also has an excellent video series about digital research called Navigating Digital Information.
The series covers
- the importance of being a sound digital researcher
- fact-checking
- lateral reading
- how to evaluate evidence
- evaluating evidence including photos, infographics, statistics, videos, and data
- using Wikipedia
- and social media and click restraint
All of these topics are great topics to cover when students are completing research papers and essays because they provide a quick reminder about strategies students can use to ensure their research strategies are sound.
If you’re interested in finding out more about it, see this blog post here. We also have a worksheet series for this digital research video series (see here if you’re keen to have a look).
Exercise
The final of the study skills worksheets (high school- and upper middle school-appropriate) is this one that goes with the Crash Course Study Skills Exercise video on YouTube.
The video and worksheet cover
- the evidence that suggests exercise is an important component of any study regime
- the physical and chemical processes people’s bodies undergo when they exercise
- and the types of exercise that increase learning ability/effectiveness
Study skills worksheet (high school and middle school appropriate) bundle
If you’ve’ made it this far, you either want the freebie, or you’re super keen on all the study skills worksheets.
You’re in luck, if you want all of the worksheets, we have a discounted bundle available on TPT here. The bundle includes all of the worksheets shown above👆.
Other great resources to help students learn to study more effectively
While these aren’t high school study skills worksheets, there are a couple of bonus resources listed below that would make it super easy to come up with study skills activities for high school students. Easy ways to use these resources include:
- get students to watch them for homework
- as an emergency lesson for a substitute
- at the start of the term/semester/year to remind students of important study skills
- throughout the term to remind students about effective study strategies
And the resources we have linked are
- Thomas Frank’s video Study Less Study Smart
- Thomas Frank’s College Info Geek podcast
- Ali Abdaal spaced repetition video
- Ali Abdaal how to create a study timetable video
- This blog post with other study skills videos for middle and high school students
Cornell note-taking template freebie
Now, finally, if you want an awesome freebie (a blank Cornell note-taking template) that your students can use in class to take notes (either on paper or digitally) sign up below and get it delivered straight to your inbox.👇.