Repetition is the Way by Cadence

Repetition is the Way by Cadence - September 2026 Scholarship Essay

As a senior with 4 years of experience in late-night study sessions, fighting to keep an A, and striving for the perfect GPA, the study strategies I have found most effective are repetition and index card usage. Repetition, similar to memorizing song lyrics, has always been an effective learning method. Just as you repeatedly listen to your favorite catchy song and subconsciously remember the lyrics, frequent practice on academic subjects helps with easy recall of topics.

Repetition looks different within each of my core classes. Having taken math classes from Algebra I through Calculus BC, math is mainly based on logic and number sense; however, frequent repetition of problem-solving helps me remember not only the steps to solve a problem but also the equations needed for each step.

Science and history-based classes are based mainly on memory and recognition, making it easier for me to practice repetition. The repeated practice of varying topics, definitions, and timelines encourages me to ingrain key information into my memory.

Next, the study strategy that I find extremely useful is creating flashcards to promote memorization. Biology has been the subject in which I create the most flashcards, helping me memorize definitions and structures of organisms. While there are a multitude of helpful study habits, the most effective for me have included repeated learning and flashcards to help ingrain the information into my memory.