Building Better Study Skills
© 2008 Resources for Educators
by Jacob Hine
March 12, 2008
Alonzo wants to improve his grades from C's to B's.
He pays attention in class, but studying is tough for him. When test time comes, he doesn't feel prepared. What can he do?
High schoolers need good study skills to organize, review, and remember information. Improving these skills can help students get better grades. Here are some study tips to share with your teen.
Focus on important ideas
Encourage your teen to focus on what the teacher discusses and writes on the board. When he's reading at home, he should pay attention to the titles that divide each chapter. These titles help point out main ideas in the text. Also, have him look over past homework assignments.
Make study time count
Setting aside study time every day is important. Most students remember more by reviewing in shorter, daily sessions. Your high schooler should divide big projects into small goals. Example: He could study one chapter a night for a week instead of all five chapters the night before the test.
Deal with distractions
It's natural for the teen's mind to wander while studying. Encourage your high schooler to control stray thoughts by quickly jotting them down and setting them aside until later. This helps clear his mind and puts the focus back on his work. He can review the thoughts after he finishes studying.
Note: When it comes to study techniques, it's important for your teen to find methods that work- and turn them into habits.
Why parent-teacher conferences still matter
Parent-teacher conferences can be as helpful in high school as they were in grade school. They put you in touch with your teen's world away from home and help you establish a relationship with her teachers. Here are some ways to make these meetings more effective:
- Find out what your high schooler will be expected to do in each class (homework policy, tests, group projects).
- Ask how to get in touch with her teachers if you have questions.
- Mention any problems at home that may affect your teen's learning- divorce, illness, etc.
- Discuss questions you may have about such topics as our child's attitude in class or the friends she hangs out with.
