Helpful Studying Habits & Organization Tips to Finish the School Year Strong
As the school year progresses, students often find themselves faced with an increasing workload and the need to juggle multiple responsibilities. Staying organized and developing effective studying habits becomes crucial for academic success. As motivation tends to dip in the last part of the school year, here are some things you can do to proactively help your student finish strong by boosting studying habits and implementing organization strategies that actually stick:
Create a Study Schedule:
One of the keys to successful studying is creating a consistent study schedule. Allocate specific time slots for studying each subject, ensuring a balance between different subjects. This helps in managing time efficiently and reduces the last-minute cramming that often leads to stress.
It’s helpful to take a look at the week ahead and dedicate study time for each subject, following a guide like this:
- Three 1-hour blocks of studying for each test, spread out over the days before the test
- Three 30-minute blocks of studying for each quiz, spread out over the days before the test
- 15 minutes (adjust as needed) to engage with challenging subjects daily (this can be building a mind map, rewriting notes in a more organized way, filling out a study guide, or doing extra practice problems)
- Looking ahead and papers or larger projects and assigning small tasks to each day, rather than saving it all for the night before.
While this does take some practice and planning, writing out a studying schedule like this can help your student know exactly what needs to be done when and how they’ll fit it all in.
Set Realistic Goals:
Break down your study sessions into manageable goals. Instead of aiming to study for hours on end, set specific, achievable goals for each session. Completing small tasks not only builds a sense of accomplishment but also helps in retaining information better. Using the framework outlined above, you can have a purpose and end goal for each homework or studying session.
Use Active Learning Techniques:
Passive studying, such as reviewing or rereading notes, is not as effective for content mastery as active learning. Engage with the material by summarizing information in your own words, teaching the concepts to someone else, creating flashcards, or writing a practice test. These techniques promote true mastery of the content instead of just familiarity with the concepts.
Organize Your Study Space (and Don’t Be Afraid to Mix It Up):
A cluttered study environment can lead to distractions and hinder productivity. Create an organized and comfortable study space with all the necessary materials within reach. This helps in minimizing distractions and maximizing focus during study sessions.
It can also be helpful to mix up where you study. If you’re getting burned out or distracted, try switching up locations. This variety will create different links with the information you’re studying to help you recall it more easily!
Take Breaks:
While studying is essential, so is taking breaks. Breaks help in maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set amount of time (e.g., 25 minutes) and then take a short break to boost your focus and productivity.
Stay Healthy:
Physical well-being directly impacts cognitive function. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy lifestyle contributes to improved concentration and overall academic performance.
Sleep is when your brain consolidates memories, so even though your student’s to-do list may feel endless, it’s critical to prioritize sleep to make sure those concepts they’re learning get stored correctly.
Review and Revise:
Regularly review and revise previously learned material. This helps in reinforcing concepts and ensures that information is stored in long-term memory. It also makes exam preparation less overwhelming.
Exercising recall is one of the most important parts of studying. The more you trigger your brain to recall information, the easier it will be when it matters most during a test!
Seek Help When Needed:
If you find certain topics challenging, don’t hesitate to seek help. Whether it’s asking a teacher for clarification, joining a study group, or utilizing online resources, seeking assistance can make a significant difference in understanding complex subjects.
Read more: 5 Things to Look for in a Learning Intervention >>
Studying Habits Don’t Come Naturally to Many Students
If these things are daunting or overwhelming to even begin, it warrants a deeper look into what cognitive skills may be deficient in your student’s brain. These skills govern the way information is processed and stored, so if there seems to be a “block” no matter what kinds of support you give your child, it’s critical to find out what that is for them.
