When I was a young student, I used to think there were two people in the world: Those born with smarts and those born WITHOUT smarts. I saw this every day, as my "smart friends" earned high grades with what seemed like little effort. But, now as an educator I understand these friends were working very diligently at home, even when they said they were not. Any student can become the AWESOME student with some support and guidance.
So, here are some study tips I want to share with my parents.
#1) Get into the ZONE! Have your student work in a designated HOMEWORK ZONE in your home. This means an area where students work WITHOUT their phones, television, or music playing. This allows students time to focus on the task at hand. Also, if possible, have the students work some place where you are close by. This way, you can monitor their pace. You can re-direct them if they put their head down, or begin daydreaming.
#2) Have your student go to bed early. Like the old saying goes, early to bed, early to rise...It is still true. Bottom line, students need their sleep.
#3) Take their cell phones away. I know this is a HUGE battle. I hear parents struggling with issue. But this will help students get a good night's rest. Studies have proven this over and over. And one way handle this issue is have your student turn their cell phone over to you before they go to bed. Why would they do this? Because you will have the charger in your room.
#4) Break the FAST! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After all, their growing bodies haven’t eaten in hours by the time their alarm clock is ringing. So, if your student skips breakfast, their tummy is growling which causes their mind to become frazzled. So, when they have their stomachs full, students can focus during first hour history or math class.
#5) Ask questions. When you and your student have a minute, ask a few questions about their day. But the key here is to use open ended questions, like “What did you learn today in History?”, or “What book are you reading in English?” Other questions might not deal with academics, such as “How was lunch today?”, or “Are you planning on going to the game this Friday?” Any question get your student to understand their education is important. If they know that it’s important to you, then your student will see education is important.
