Study Skills for the New School Year

Everyone learns differently, but there is one thing most of us have in common: in order to learn effectively, we must study. The question is what is the best way to study? That, too, is different for everyone. Here are a few tips that will help your student to create good study habits that will last a lifetime.

1. Study a little bit every day. Long term retention is achieved through repetition over a period of days and weeks. Cramming the night before an exam might get your student through his test, but he will forget everything he has read the moment he hands in his paper. Instead of leaving his study for the last minute, encourage your student to set aside some time every day to go over the material he must learn. It is also best for habit-building to study at the same time every day.
2. Choose your student's environment carefully. Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone can study in a quiet, isolated area. Many students benefit from having music or even the television playing '" provided they do not become too interested in what is on. I, for example, study best with a movie playing in the background. My sons excel when music is part of their environment. Observe your child. If his or her mind wanders while attempting to work in a quiet room, try turning on some background noise.
3. Even if your student needs noise, keep him or her away from areas where he usually plays. Unless I am actually using my computer for school work, I have to sit at the dining room table. Otherwise, I am tempted to play computer games or chat with my friends. Taking the cell phone away during study time might also be helpful, as texting may get in the way of concentration.
4. Hunger is not conducive to learning, but neither is a spike in blood sugar. Provide a healthy after-school snack that combines protein and good carbohydrate such as cheese and an apple or peanut butter on whole grain bread.
5. Keep a set of school supplies at home. For effective study, your student will need pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, colored pencils, highlighters, 3x5 index cards and paper. For math and science, he or she may also require a set of angles, a protractor, a compass, graph paper and a scientific calculator. Having these items at home, convenient to the place where he or she studies, will eliminate the excuse that "I left my calculator at school."
6. Studying is more than just reading or repeating facts. There is a right way to study for greater effectiveness. Have your student follow these steps in order to gain mastery of the concepts he or she is learning:
a. Textbooks are divided into chapters and sections. Concentrate on just one section at a time.
b. Read the section through for comprehension. Use a dictionary or glossary if necessary to find the meaning of new words. Also, refer to previous chapters if necessary in order to relate new concepts to those previously learned.
c. ONLY IF YOU OWN YOUR TEXTBOOKS, (skip this step if your student borrows his or her books from the school) read through the text again, highlighting the key points and underlining key words. Make notes in the margins whenever you have some insight about an idea (e.g. That was the same year Columbus discovered America!). These notes and highlights provide retention and recall aids as well as a means for quick review.
d. Start taking notes. Write out key points and explanations in your own words. Draw diagrams, time lines and charts in order to aid in further comprehension. I have found that this step cannot be skipped. I can read a section any number of times and not fully grasp a concept until I have written it out in my own words and drawn diagrams (especially useful in math and science classes).
e. Work out sample problems from the text directly in your notes. Follow the steps carefully, concentrating on each step of a problem.
f. Finally, answer any questions or work any problems at the end of the section or chapter. Check your answers either in the answer key in the back of the book (many books have the answers to odd-numbered questions in an index) or against information in the previous reading. If your student has been assigned homework, now would be a good opportunity to complete those problems as well.
g. If vocabulary or math facts (multiplication, addition, subtraction or division) are part of the course of study, use flash cards for a few minutes of daily drill in addition to writing out words, definitions and facts on paper.
h. For pre-exam review, your student should be able to read through his or her notes and the highlighted areas of his textbook as a fast and easy refresher. Once the material is properly learned, this quick review should be all that is needed to earn high marks.
By following these few simple steps, your student will build a lifetime of good study habits and will improve his retention and recall of facts and information. It is a simple matter of setting aside the right time and place, making the environment conducive to learning, and actually studying in a proactive manner.