How to Prepare Over Thanksgiving Break
Do you have an upcoming test in December or January? Thanksgiving break is a great time to prepare! Check out these 7 tips for making the most of your break.
1. Spend time with family and friends.
Lean on your community for support and encouragement. Your loved ones can provide a wonderful escape during this potentially stressful time.
2. Rest up.
Taking time to relax and recuperate is important! It will also ensure that your brain is well-rested and ready to learn when you study.
3. Read a fun book!
Reading can be both relaxing and educational because it allows you to improve your vocabulary and strengthen your reading comprehension skills simultaneously (whether you know it or not!).
4. Study vocabulary.
The most effective way to study vocabulary is for just 10-15 minutes each day. Check out our free SSAT & ISEE vocabulary sets to get started!
5. Take a full-length practice test.
A long weekend is a great time to sit down and simulate the official testing experience. Make sure to limit distractions, so that you can really focus. This means putting away your phone, shutting off the TV, and turning off the music. It’s also important to follow the same time as the official test, including breaks, so that you can build your stamina for test day.
6. Review your results.
The review process is just as important as the actual testing experience. After all, this is the place where you learn the most. Start by going back through the test and carefully review every question you answered incorrectly or skipped. Make sure you understand what went “wrong” and how you would go about answering that question if you were to see something similar again in the future.
7. Do targeted practice.
Focus on the areas that could benefit from more attention based on your practice test results. Then, practice those specific question types until you feel confident with those skills.
Bonus! After Break Ends (the practice doesn’t!)
1. Continue to study vocabulary.
Set aside a designated time everyday to practice this skill. Remember, this is only for 10-15 minutes a day. Maybe it’s while you eat breakfast in the morning, on your ride to school, or while taking a quick break from scrolling on TikTok.
2. Keep on practicing!
Continue to incorporate practice tests, review, and targeted practice into your weekly schedule. Ideally, find at least three blocks of time during each week to sit down and practice, working through the steps outlined above: taking practice test sections, reviewing results, and then doing targeted practice. Check out our Creating A Test Prep Study Plan blog post for more tips on how to create a practice schedule that works for you.
3. Cultivate a healthy routine.
You can optimize your brain power by taking care of your body and mind! Eat foods that help you to feel nourished and sleep at least 8 hours a night (if possible). If you can, try to incorporate some sort of movement into your day as well. This can look like a walk through your neighborhood, a bike ride with your friends, or 20 minutes of yoga.
Originally published on November 21, 2021. Updated on November 26th, 2024.
