Sophomore Carly Smith uses sign language as a study strategy. She has studied for Spanish tests by using the sign language alphabet to help her memorize the spelling of vocabulary words. Photo by Gabe Weininger

In seventh grade, sophomore Carly Smith’s Spanish teacher accused her of cheating during a test because she was using sign language to remember how to spell vocabulary words.

“[My teacher] was like, ‘What are you doing? I know you’re cheating with [another student],’” said Smith. “But I was just like, ‘No I’m just spelling it out to myself, this is how I remember it.’”

Smith said that although she does not know much sign language, knowing the alphabet has helped her form a study strategy. Before every quiz or test in her Spanish class, she memorizes the spelling by signing the words out with her hands, utilizing muscle memory to remember the words.

“Whenever we had vocabulary, I never wanted to write anything down, so I would just spell it out with my hands,” said Smith. “Then [I] could do it anywhere.”

English teacher Bill Race teaches a guided studies class. The class is devoted to helping students who need assistance preparing for class.

Race said he believes Smith’s study strategy is creative.

“The more modes of our brain we can tap into as we’re learning, I think that will better help one to digest the information,” Race said.

Like Smith, junior Emily Callahan also has an alternative way to study.

Rather than just playing songs on the radio, she said she has designated genres of music to listen to while she completes her homework for each subject.

While completing her history homework, Callahan said she listens to classical music. When she does math, she listens to more contemporary songs.

“Well it started out with a bunch of distractions and I needed some way to focus in,” said Callahan. “So by having music distract me, it helped me refocus [on] homework.”

“[Callahan’s strategy] would be a way of focusing one’s attention on a particular subject,” said Race. “I wouldn’t necessarily advocate for listening to music while one studies, but I’m aware that most students do. So aligning each class with a different genre of music could be a good thing.”

Junior Kevin Lee utilizes his time after school differently than both Smith and Callahan, creating an abnormal sleep cycle that his body is now used to.

Because Lee is tired when he arrives home from school at 4 p.m., he said he goes straight to bed rather than starting his homework. He then wakes up anywhere between 10 p.m. and midnight to complete his homework. On a typical night, he said he works until 3 a.m. and sleeps until 6 a.m., when he gets up for school.

“I was just really tired one day and I slept [immediately] after school,” said Lee. “And then I kinda got into this loop that I couldn’t get out of.”

Race said he believes maintaining a regular sleep schedule is crucial to a student’s success.

“I think a nap can be useful for students,” said Race. “I know most students feel pretty tired a lot, so if a short nap, no longer than 45 minutes to an hour, is going to revitalize you, then I say more power to you.”

All three students said they believe their alternative ways of studying help them excel in their academics.

“I’ve had classmates that I’ve worked on group projects with and they see that my last edit [to a document on Google Drive] was made at 3 a.m.,” said Lee. “They just think it’s really weird.”

Race said that studying takes discipline, something that is learned over time.

“Undoubtedly, students are under a lot of pressure and have very busy lives,” said Race. “However, I do feel that a lot of students could use their time more effectively, both in and out of school. Therefore, students tend to get pretty creative when they’re in desperate study situations.”