So, here\’s what\’s going on: Your kid seems to like going to class. They have a good time in school and value their instructors and classmates. Almost every night, they complete their assignments. They are making an honest attempt, but despite their best intentions, they are not making the progress in their studies that you and they would want to see. If this sounds familiar, then perhaps teaching your child good study habits is the key to unlocking his or her potential in school.
Having the correct mindset, routines, and work ethic all contribute to academic success. Effective study habits are a key component of this dish and may be taught. \”Straight-A students are not born—they\’re made,\” write Katie O\’Brien and Hunter Maats of The Straight-A Conspiracy and co-authors of the Princeton Review research. Everyone in the United States of America can achieve the academic success they seek with minimal effort. Most students and parents overestimate how difficult it is to \”manage your emotions, put away distractions, and create a straightforward study plan that makes learning faster and more fun.\”
How can you, as a parent, ensure that your child acquires the study skills necessary for academic and lifelong success?
Here are seven suggestions for getting going:
1. Make sure your students have a quiet place to study:
Does your kid have his or her own study space, such as a desk or table, in a quiet part of the house? Think about how well-lit it is and how far away there are other potential interruptions. Stock this space with useful study materials, such as colorful Post-its, a selection of pens and pencils, highlighters, and scratch paper. Allow your child to feel a sense of ownership over the space by letting them decorate, and show them the importance of keeping their workspace clean and organized each night.
2. Use a daily planner:
Effective study abilities necessitate the ability to manage one\’s time efficiently. Make sure your child is familiar with using a homework planner. Make sure they keep track of when things need to be turned in, especially if their teacher announces them in advance. The next step is to make sure you do these tasks on time. Help your child get ready for big tests by breaking down the material and creating a plan for reviewing it in the days leading up to the test. In a similar vein, help your youngster break down large projects into manageable chunks by identifying key components and collaborating on a timeline for their completion. This can reduce the need for last-minute cramming and procrastination (and boost self-assurance) by making the task at hand seem more achievable.
3. Learn to take good notes:
What\’s your familiarity with Cornell Notes? Your child can better understand and remember what is being taught in class if they use this time-tested method of taking notes. Research has shown that taking notes by hand is more effective than using a laptop or not taking any notes at all. Active reading tactics, such as taking notes or highlighting key themes and passages, are also highly helpful for recall, so teach your child to apply them.
4. Study for your exams:
The greatest way to make sure your child is ready for an impending test is not necessarily just reviewing the material again. You should instead suggest that they try out more engaging methods, such as taking practice tests or using flash cards. To ensure your child has a thorough grasp of the content, you can ask them to review questions and have them explain their answers aloud in the form of a short essay.
5. Don\’t try to cram:
The best way to retain information long-term is to learn a little bit about a topic every day, rather than a lot for a single day. Assist your student in creating a study plan that will allow them to spread out their practice on multiple subjects; even 10 minutes of practice per day can make a difference. You should also advise your pupil to take regular study breaks. They would benefit greatly from taking a 15-minute break once an hour.
6. Model asking for assistance for your youngster:
Perhaps your child is having trouble with a particular lesson in one of their subjects or is confused about the night\’s homework. It\’s important to reach out for assistance when this occurs, as it inevitably does for everyone. Model for your child how to approach a teacher with a problem and how to ask for assistance, and don\’t be scared to do the same. Your child will learn to ask for, and give, support more effectively if you also teach them how to work well with other pupils and ask their peers for aid.
7. Remove any potential sources of disruption in the step:
Teach your pupil to avoid distractions by turning off their computer and any other electronic gadgets they may be using. Your youngster will learn more effectively if he or she can devote undivided attention to a single topic for an extended amount of time before moving on to another. Make sure your kid is getting enough rest and eating well so that they can concentrate and make the most of their study time.