Create your own Study Hack Pack
Studying is more than reading notes over and over. Knowing how to study effectively can be a challenge for students. This lesson explores effective study methods and hacks to support students’ academic and personal success.
Year level
9-12
Duration
60 minutes
Type
In class activity
Take away activity
SEL Competencies
Self-management
Responsible decision-making
Learning intention
Students will learn practical strategies to enhance their study routines and manage the stress of exams.
Key outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
identify effective study hacks for personal use
reflect on which study hacks or methods are useful, and why
create their own Study Hack Pack to support them with homework and studying.
Materials needed
A4 paper/cardstock
Textas, pens, pencils
Students’ devices
Whiteboard
Whiteboard markers
Interactive whiteboard/projector to play video
Access to the ReachOut video 'Study Hacks'
Mapped to
Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
Refine, evaluate and adapt strategies for managing changes and transitions (AC9HP10P02)
Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities
Personal and Social Capability:
Self-management
Critical and Creating Thinking:
Reflecting
NSW PDHPE Syllabus
Assesses and applies self-management skills to effectively manage complex situations (PD5-9)
Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
Evaluate health information from a range of sources and apply to health decisions and situations (VCHPEP148)
Activity 1
PMI chart: Study hacks
25 minutes
Play the ReachOut video ‘Study Hacks’ for the class.
During and after watching, have students record their responses to the study hacks discussed in the video in a three-column PMI (Positive, Minus and Interesting) chart that they draw in their notebooks.
Direct students to write down any hacks they like or think are useful under the ‘P’ column, any they dislike in the ‘M’ column, and any that are interesting or new in the ‘I’ column.
Once finished, students share a summary of their responses on the whiteboard. Encourage them to discuss why they find a particular study hack effective or relevant, and whether they have tried any other study hacks before.
Activity 2
Individual activity: My Study Hack Pack
30 minutes
Students choose their top study hacks, either from the video or from among those they have used themselves. They should aim to choose at least one hack for each of these skills:
organisation
time management
focus
memory techniques.
Note: Read this article for ideas around memory techniques that you can share with students.
Give students paper/cardstock and stationery supplies such as pens and textas, or have them access a graphic design tool on their devices such as Canva.
Students create a visual Study Hack Pack that they can refer to whenever they are studying. For example, they could:
create a physical poster
design a digital poster
design an infographic
make a flipcard book with drawings
create a mind map.
Encourage students to share their creations with the rest of the class. These can then be used to create a class Study Hack Pack.
Remind students to display their Study Hack Packs in their study area at home, or to have them easily accessible on their device.
Note: It’s worth teaching students about study hacks at the start of their courses. This will enable them to develop and add to their Study Hack Packs throughout the year, which will help them to feel more organised when it comes to exam periods and homework activities.
Activity 3
Reflection activity: Optional check-in
5 minutes
A week later, ask students to share and reflect on whether they have used their Study Hack Packs and how effective they were in helping them to study.
