Meet Your Expert: Amelia J, HSC English Specialist
Hi there! I’m Amelia, a passionate English and History teacher, HSC marker, and private tutor with over 15 years of experience helping students succeed. I believe that engaging study techniques can make learning more effective and enjoyable. If studying feels dull, don’t worry—I’m here to share creative strategies to help you retain information without the boredom.
From Boring to Brilliant: my 15 fun ways to study
Sitting at your desk reading the textbook can get stale very quickly. But studying doesn’t have to be boring!
Effective study relies on both repetition and novelty, yet many students overlook the importance of variety. Changing up your study routine can help solidify the information that you have been repeating to yourself. A new activity, approach or even location can be the key to locking the knowledge in your neurons.
So here are 15 fun ways to change up your study habits:
1. Record a Podcast Voice Memo
Explain a concept out loud and record it on your phone. Listen to it on a walk or while commuting. Better yet, swap recordings with a friend so you can learn from each other.
2. Create a Short Video
Record a short video explaining a key concept to watch back later, add costumes so you have something to visualise in the exam.
3. Turn Your Home into a Study Guide
Make posters for your house, popping them in random locations like the backs of bathroom doors or the outside of the shower glass. Add in-jokes and memes to make your future self chuckle.
4. Rewrite Song Lyrics with Study Content
Re-write some chart-topping songs with content from your classes as the lyrics. If this is too tricky, try reading different sections of your notes with different tones of voice or different accents (an especially helpful approach with English quotes).
5. Create a Dance or Movement Routine
Make up a dance with actions that corresponds to a list of key information. Getting yourself up and moving will also help you feel energised.
6. Play Classic Card Games with Flashcards
Write up flash cards and play classic games with them, like Go Fish, Snap or Memory.
7. Teach a Pet or Stuffed Toy
Teach your family pet or a stuffed toy. Imagine they keep making common mistakes and correct them.
8. Host a Trivia Night or Online Quiz
Create an online quiz game, like Kahoot, or host a trivia night with friends before the exam.
9. Watch a Documentary and Summarise It
Watch a documentary on the topic you are studying, and write down 5 things to remember.
10. Get Hands-On with Practical Study
Do pracs where possible. If you’re studying biology, dissect a kidney from a local butcher in your kitchen, or buy a bunch of lilies to pollinate. Get creative!
11. Use a Whiteboard for Recall Drills
Get a whiteboard and write key words or ideas on it, then slowly rub words out until you can recall them without the prompt. The action of rubbing out content and still being able to recall it is very satisfying, and a clear indication that your study is working!
12. Change Your Study Location
Change your location to somewhere outdoors, like your trampoline, the local library or a walking trail. Studying in the sun can help you feel refreshed.
13. Turn Study into a Challenge Game
Try quizzing yourself while doing a physical activity:
🏀 Basketball/Netball: Shoot hoops and answer questions before each shot.
🎯 Water Gun Challenge: Let a friend spray you if you get an answer wrong!
🚶 Walking Quiz: Discuss key topics while on a walk with a study buddy.
14. Make Study Sessions Comfortable and Rewarding
If you must stay at your desk, make yourself super comfy, including a footbath if you’ve got one, and grab a snack to enjoy. For particularly challenging study sessions, reward yourself with a small snack for every practice question you complete.
15. Have a ‘Pop Quiz’ with a Tutor
Have a ‘pop quiz’ lesson with a tutor. Write them a handful of questions too and see how they do. If you stump them, it’s clear you know your content!
Final Thought: Make Study Work for You!
The central principle? Integrate study into something you enjoy and change up your routine when you can. Study shouldn’t have you stuck to a chair, so try something new. You never know, you might learn something.
Need extra guidance? If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring options. Alternatively, Learnmate's tutors can help refine your study techniques, build confidence, and prepare effectively for your exams. You can connect with other HSC English tutors on Learnmate here.
