We hope your 2017 is off to a strong start! To make sure it continues that way, implementing these study skills tips will ensure academic success and minimize stress.
Developing Solid Study Skills
Deal with Technological Distractions. Making sure that there are boundaries around technology is one key to developing strong study skills. These can be physical boundaries, such as keeping all computers in a common area of the house rather than in bedrooms, or technological ones. Parents can easily block sites like Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, etc., at least during weekday nights.
Engage Multiple Senses. The basic goal of studying is getting information to stick in your brain. One great way to do this is to engage multiple senses during your study sessions. In other words, don’t sit down at the same place at the same time of day and use the same methods each time. Read the material, write it down (sometimes by hand, not only on the computer), and say it out loud. We are big proponents of note cards because they facilitate this kind of flexible use and even provide some tactile sensation.
Get Back to Basics. Going along with our endorsement of note cards, we think many “old-fashioned” study skills still work. Computers and tablets are obviously a big part of education right now, but that doesn’t mean the old ways of studying are now obsolete. So ask your parents and grandparents what they used to do!
Do What Works for You. Some students do very well studying in groups, so they should do that. Some students prefer to study alone, so they should do that. Much of high school is about learning skills (time management, how do I learn, etc.) that will help later in life. So part of developing as a student and as an adult is figuring out what study methods work best for you. How do you tell if something works? Look at test grades, whether you are missing assignments, etc. If grades are low, there might be study issues that need to be addressed.
Need additional help developing solid study skills? Our academic tutors help you develop skills that will propel you through high school and beyond. Contact us at info@eliteacademics.com or 720-216-2222 to learn more.