Why do I perform better academically at school than at home?
I have exams coming up in two weeks, and while I scored 83% and 86% on two practice tests at school, I only managed 63% and 50% on two tests I took at home. I’m feeling surprised and frustrated by these lower scores. We also recently received a new timetable that places a stronger emphasis on math and my native language, subjects that I find more challenging than before. Could the new schedule and my fatigue be affecting my performance?
It’s understandable to feel frustrated when your performance at home doesn’t reflect what you can achieve in school. There could be a few reasons for this discrepancy:
Environment: The atmosphere at home might be less conducive to studying than the structured environment of a classroom. Distractions from family, devices, or a less organized study area can affect focus and concentration.
Pressure and Anxiety: Sometimes, being at home can introduce a different kind of pressure or anxiety. You may feel more stressed when you’re testing yourself alone, which can impact your performance.
Study Habits: Your study methods might need a bit of tweaking. It’s possible that the strategies you use at school, along with your teacher’s guidance, help reinforce your learning in a way that’s different from when you study independently.
Fatigue and Overwork: With the new timetable and increased focus on subjects like math and your native language, fatigue could indeed be playing a role. Make sure you’re taking breaks and managing your workload effectively.
Test Conditions: The conditions under which you’re taking the tests at home could also be different—maybe you’re not replicating the exam conditions (timing, silence, etc.), which can affect how you perform.
To improve, try to create a study schedule that mirrors your school routine, minimize distractions at home, and practice under timed conditions. It might also help to review your practice tests to understand where you lost points. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help from friends, family, or teachers if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Good luck with your exams!