Study Skills Activities

The 7 Steps to Optimizing Your Study Skills

Study skills are a subject that is breezed over by students around the world. Each student has a different learning style that needs to be optimized. When you compare two students one seems to naturally grasp the importance of good study skills. Students make sure that their ipods and cell phones are working. Teachers complain about their students poor study habits. Their student’s lack of study skills is clearly evident on the first test of the school year. Many students and parents struggle with having a good study plan. Most parents know the value of good study skills but they struggle to convince their student of its importance.

Good study skills begin with the altitude in the attitudes of students. A student with good study habits realizes that it takes time to memorize information and to give it a personal meaning. Students need a study guide that will teach them how to study. Students need test taking tips that will launch them into a successful academic year. There are seven ways to optimize your study skills:
Review your additional notes everyday.
1. You can improve your study skills memory by using 3 x 5 cards to review
2. Create study skills activities that you will use every week.
3. Start your own study skills lesson plan for each subject. Your study skills lesson plan should include test taking ideas that you will use for each class.
4. Don’t allow test anxiety to creep into his emotions. Reduce your test anxiety by spending more time preparing for each test. Spread your test preparation time out over five days.
5. The main helpful study skills resource is your teacher or tutor.
6. Write down notes on important facts so that you can review them the morning of your test. Study skills as a way of life is the key to your success in school. Prepare a list of questions before you go to class. You need to be pro-active in using creative study skills activities that tap into your own learning style.
Lastly, maintain a positive attitude and don’t let test anxiety overcome you. Develop a new study skills list each day and follow it. Implementing all of these study skills strategies will lead to a successful learning strategy and the best grades possible.
Help Your Child Improve Study Skills in 4 Steps
You can help your child improve study skills and do better in school. The following 4 steps to will help your child improve grades and develop self confidence.
1. Organization
In my years as a classroom teacher I noticed many students lack organizational skills when it came to notebooks and homework. You can help them start developing good study techniques by having them empty their backpack and notebook(s). Notebooks should have paper and dividers. Label each divider. Some teachers require a separate notebook for their subject. Each notebook should be organized the same way.
Loose papers should be placed in the proper place, in the notebook, at the end of each day.
2. Supplies
Make sure your child has the supplies that will be needed during the semester.
There are many stores that offer school supplies for relatively cheap prices before each semester begins. In order to develop good study habits your child should have:
Pens
Pencils
Lined paper
File folders
Notebook(s)
Dividers
Pencil sharpener
Ruler
3 hole punch
Dictionary
Thesaurus
3 x 5 cards
3. Study Area
Every child needs their own study area. A bedroom or den is a good place. The supplies they will need to do their homework should be available on the desk or shelf. Creating a study space, with supplies at hand, is an effective way to help your child improve study skills.
4. Study Time
Set aside a block of time for homework for each school day. Try to leave weekends free for other activities. If possible, homework time should be the same time each day: 4 PM – 6PM. They may not need all the time or, in some cases, may need more. A ten minute break between assignments will help create better concentration.
Do not ask your child to do chores during this time. It’s strictly for study. Asking your child to set the table or walk the dog will send mixed messages about why study time is important.
Have a large write on calendar available on the desk or bulletin board. In addition to the study time, write in due dates and special projects in the appropriate date. List doctor and dentist appointments and all other activities. Spend some time each day and discuss the school day and assignments