Study Skills Guide

Helping a child study, or learning to study yourself, can be just as difficult as mastering the class material itself. But with some careful planning, you can learn to make your study sessions as effective as possible. The following tips will help you or your kids make the most of study time.

 

Rather than sitting down and doing all of your homework and studying at one time, spread the work out over time. Study in short bursts of time and take breaks so that your brain has a chance to rest and refresh.

 

Schedule your homework and study time early so that you don’t have any excuses not to do it. Also, study at the same time each day so that it becomes a part of your routine. Once studying becomes a normal part of your day, it won’t seem like such a burden.

 

Set goals for each study session. Whether it’s memorizing a list of spelling words or writing two pages for a report, having a plan before you get started will keep you on task and give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of your session.

 

Plan on working on the hardest assignments first, and that way you won’t worry about them while you work on other, easier tasks. The hardest assignments usually take longer to work on, and once they’re out of the way, you’ll be able to plan your time for the rest of your homework a bit better.

 

Before working on any class assignment, review any notes that you may have on the subject. This will help make the information fresh in your head and make the assignment easier on you. Plus, if you’re reviewing class notes or text material, chances are pretty good that you’ll come across answers you’ll need in your assignment.

 

While you’re studying, don’t have the television on or take phone calls from friends. Better yet, turn the phone off all together. Studying is best accomplished in a quiet space that is free of distractions. If you can’t study because you know that the dishes need to be done or if your son can’t concentrate because his favorite toys are in the room, make sure the dishes are washed before you start studying, and have your son study in a room that doesn’t house his toys.

 

If you need help, ask. Ask your parents, your siblings or even call a classmate. Once you reach a point in which you know you’re stuck, find someone to help you so that you don’t waste your time on a futile effort. There is no shame in asking for help, and calling a classmate who is working on the same material is often the best way to tackle a tough problem.