Active Study Techniques That Work for Middle Schoolers

Middle school students often think of rereading their notes as studying. Unfortunately, this strategy often isn’t enough and requires more time and effort. Active learning requires students to be engaged in the material, leading them to recall and understand concepts more thoroughly.  

Active Study Technique #1: Retrieval Practice  

Students assume studying more will make all the difference. Instead, let’s teach them how to study smarter using Retrieval Practice. This technique forces the brain to pull information out without looking at the answer first. Students find this difficult and often want to shut down and not study in this way.  

Studying is more than exposure. The goal is to have students retrieve information which leads to long-term memory improvement and speed in answering questions on assessments because they will be able to recall it under pressure. 

Try these examples: 

Active Study Technique 2: Spaced Practice 

“I don’t have a test tomorrow so why should I study tonight?” Sound familiar? Spaced Practice requires students to spread learning and review over time, not just the night before an assessment. The repetition of studying material in short sessions across days or weeks allows them to revisit the same material multiple times, giving them a better understanding and ability to retain the information. 

Cramming creates a temporary familiarity of material. Most material will be revisited in a later unit or assessment. Using Spaced Practice strengthens memory retrieval, allowing the information to “stick.”  

Try these examples: 

• Review notes, problems, etc. from classwork daily 

• Flashcards reviewed daily 

• A weekly self-check on “old material” 

Study Habits That Work Across Every Subject 

In addition to these two techniques, students should consider general study habits that work for all subjects and grade levels. Creating a designated study space to sit in consistently every day will encourage good study habits. Use calendars, planners, and visuals for planning out studying throughout the week. After reading class material, create structured notes, annotate, and summarize what was just read.  

Active Studying: Harder Now, Easier Later 

Middle school students may not love the idea of studying in an active way, but once they see the results, they will appreciate their dedication and time. It may be a hard adjustment, but know that it is real, intentional learning that will take place. As expectations rise for high school, learning these study habits now will pay off. With your support and encouragement, they will experience less stress and will perform better overall.