Studying may be the key to doing well on spelling quizzes and math tests, but it’s a crucial success skill beyond the school walls. The ability to concentrate and prioritize without the prospect of earning a letter grade is crucial to children’s success in college, and throughout their career. Help your child master the art of studying by sharing these tips:
• Use your time effectively. When are you at your brightest? Are you an early bird or a nighthawk? Are you sleepy and distracted after lunch? Try to schedule study time during your peaks.
• Develop your concentration. How long is your concentration span? Find out by recording your start time when you read from a textbook or other course material. As soon as your mind begins to drift, record the time again. Try this several times until you can gauge your average concentration span. Most people take nearly imperceptible “refresher” breaks every few minutes.
• Read actively. Keep your mind alive while you’re reading. Use a highlighter to mark important passages; write down questions about items you don’t understand; try to predict what will be on the next page or connect what you’re reading with other material you’ve read.
• Manage your internal distractions. When random thoughts surface, don’t try to suppress them. Instead, quickly jot them down for consideration at another time. Sometimes a memory or a thought that appeared to be unrelated to your reading yields interesting insights into the subject upon later reflection.
• Create the right environment. Be aware of your optimal study conditions, and use this awareness to reduce distractions around you. Are you more relaxed with absolute silence, or with classical music in the background? Do you have enough light to read without straining? How is the temperature? Is your chair comfortable?
• Reward yourself. Remember that making the most of your study time means having more time for your other activities.