As you already know, middle school can be challenging and hard work. By developing good study habits, you could have a better school year. These tips are important in helping you become a happy and successful student.
Utilize your agenda book daily for each class.
Get a study buddy- get the phone number of a student in your class in case you have a question about an assignment or if you are absent.
List all homework assignments in a single notebook or a notepad (do not combine them with your class notes).
Establish a regular time to do homework.
Pick a place to work that is quiet, has good light, enough space, is a comfortable temperature, and is equipped with a stapler, pens, pencils, paper, and a computer.
Remove all distractions. Turn off the television, computer games, loud music, and do not take phone calls or answer texts.
Start with an easy, interesting aspect of your assignment.
- As a parent/guardian, you may ask, “What is the secret behind the A?” While having effective study skills may be overlooked on the academic journey, we’ve seen this be the tipping point in making GOOD students into GREAT students!
Your counselors have compiled a list of 10 helpful study habits for your tween to help set him/her up for a productive school year.
1. Get Organized- Between homework, tests, and extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the cracks. An agenda book can help your child keep everything organized. Students should write down assignments, appointments and to-do list's, and homework. They should then review items in the agenda book at both the beginning and end of the day to stay on track. 2. Know the Expectations- Students shouldn’t have any surprises when it comes to how and what they will be graded on. Teachers provide a course outline or syllabus, which can serve as a guide for the semester. If expectations aren’t clear, don’t wait until a bad report card comes in the mail. Your student should feel comfortable approaching teachers with questions about grading and assignments at any time. 3. Designate a Study Area- Yes, studying at the school library may seem like a good idea, but not if there are constantly people interrupting or other disruptions. Even at home, studying in front of the TV won’t be the best use of your time. Help yourself by providing a quiet, well-lit, low-traffic space for study time. Take it one step further and institute a “communications blackout” policy with no cell phones or social media allowed until schoolwork is done. 4. Develop a Study Plan- First things first: students need to know when a test will take place, the types of questions that will be included and the topics that will be covered. From there, you should create a study plan/index cards and allow plenty of time to prepare – there’s nothing worse than cramming the night before an exam. You can help by buying a wall calendar and marking important dates. Setting goals for each session is also key to success. If you need some help developing a study plan, please ask your counselor for helpful hints. We have peer tutors who will work with you to develop an individualized plan that fits your needs, while instilling effective time management tips and organizational skills. 5. Think Positively- Being in the right mindset can make all the difference. Having a positive mindset when studying or heading into an exam can make all the difference and by all means, avoid catastrophic thinking. Turn negative statements like, “I’ll never have enough time to get a good grade on this exam,” into positive ones like, “I began preparing later than I should have, but I put together a complete study plan and will be able to get through the material prior to the exam.” This is called the growth mindset! “I can” or “I will” statements help students believe in their ability. 6. Create a Study Group- Working in groups can help you when you are struggling to understand a concept and can enable you to complete assignments more quickly than when working alone. The library is normally open during lunch and or after school. Keep groups small and structured to ensure the maximum benefit to participants and reduce distractions. 7. Practice Active Listening- It’s important for yourself to concentrate and avoid distractions when a teacher is presenting. Some tips include: try concentrating on the main points being made, think about what the teacher is saying and pay attention to how things are said (gestures, tone of voice, etc.). Students should avoid talking or thinking about problems when listening. If a teacher says, “This is important” or “I’ll write this on the board,” there’s a good chance that the teacher is giving a hint for students to be taking notes. 8. Review Test-Taking Strategies- It is normal to feel stressed when taking an exam. However, there are certain strategies that will help manage the stress and allowing you to be the best on the exam. First, make sure that you arrive on time and try to stay relaxed. Students should be sure to read all of the directions on the exam and pace themselves so as not to feel rushed. You can skip around on a test, if allowed, as you may be more comfortable with certain topics than others. 9. Read Actively- It’s all too easy to skim over an assigned book chapter and not know the main points of what you just read. Students should practice active reading by noting the main idea of each passage and look up unfamiliar words or concepts. Make an outline of the chapter or create flow charts and diagrams that help map out the concept at hand. Highlighting key points is highly effective. By highlighting important information, your eyes will be drawn to that section. After each section, have students write a summary in their own words and come up with possible exam questions or scenarios. 10. Look to the Future- For some students, college or heading straight to the work field may seem like an intangible event in the very distant future, but in reality, it isn’t so far off. Starting early can be an immense help in navigating the college admissions process. Be sure to get organized, set goals with your child and have regular discussions with them.