When the time comes to study for a big upcoming test, tensions and stress levels are high. Whether it be not knowing how to study for it or stressing out and loading the brain with information the night before, studying does not have to be as stressful as we sometimes make it.

There are many ways to study, such as making flash cards, referring back to old notes, utilizing study guides and even staying after school for help from teachers.

Antioch Community High School freshman Steven Baum said, “I like to go back and look at old notes and old homework assignments to help me study for an upcoming test.”

Referring to old homework assignments and notes based on the topic can be a big help when it comes to studying. Other students go beyond revisiting old material.

“Singing, making a song out of the topic makes studying more interesting and fun,” freshman Za’ Tozia Duffie said.

Studying can often be boring at times, but providing oneself with opportunities to make studying fun and creative may prove helpful in the long haul.

“I look at old notes but I get a good amount of sleep the night before so I am more focused on the test and not tired so much and I also eat a bigger breakfast then I usually would,” freshman Nick Kilian said.

Being tired can cause someone to lose focus in taking a big test. Getting at least eight hours of sleep the night before can help you become more focused and aware of the information you are being tested on. Eating a good breakfast will also help you to stay focused.

Top Universities, a college preparation website, said to give enough time to study, organize the study space, use flow charts or diagrams, explain answers to others, have study groups, take breaks, snack on “brain food,” plan for exam day and drink plenty of water to help prepare for any assessment.

Studying at least once a day will benefit you so you are not loading your brain down the night before with information you most likely will not be able to remember in just one night. It also helps to be organized by using assignments notebooks or binders. This will help studying become less stressful when time comes closer to the big test day.

An underutilized technique is explaining answers to others to help understand the information you are taking in even more. This can be done with study groups or tutoring. This also means being organized to set up times for this type of preparation.

According to how-to-study.com,  planning ahead, paying attention, taking good notes, getting rid of distractions and getting enough sleep all have significant impacts on getting a good grade on your next test.

“It’s really important to be active and get a work out to really get your brain working. Doing this will help anyone focus on studying and hopefully do better on an exam,” said senior Danny Helgesen.

If you’re stressing about your next test and need a way to study take some of these ideas into consideration; they might be what you need to get the A on your next test.