Strong Study Skills Can Help Your Child In All School Subjects

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In school, your child takes english, history, math and other classes. But a key area of academic development isn't taught in a specific class and, without it, a student will struggle to excel in school. That skill is studying.

By improving key skills such as organization and time management, effective note-taking, reading and study strategies and test-taking techniques, a student can learn faster, retain knowledge for longer periods of time, and recall that knowledge with greater accuracy. That means better performance on tests and exams, less time on homework and greater confidence in the classroom.

Sylvan recommends the following tips for elementary and secondary-level students to help improve their study skills:

• Keep a schedule: All students should keep a schedule of classes, assignments and other key dates. As part of that schedule, they should set aside specific time for studying and project work. That way, they're less likely to find themselves scrambling to complete a project at the last minute or cramming the night before a big test. The schedule should also set aside time for non-school activities like sports. In fact, the more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient most students will be in completing their schoolwork.
  


• Take effective notes in class: Most students take notes in classes, but often when they review them, they can't make sense of the content. Effective note taking is a key academic skill that is rarely taught in the classroom. At Sylvan, we work with students to help them develop note-taking skills that include identifying key information and capturing it in a style that makes for effective studying later. Different students need different types of notes. It's important for a student to find the note-taking approach that best works for them.
  


• Reading assignments: As students move into higher grades, they're assigned larger and more complex reading assignments. Poor reading skills or an inability to read for important information will make these assignments a burden and undermine overall academic success. We advise that students need to deliberately learn to read for key information. If reading skills are weak, it's important for the student to seek help improving them; otherwise performance in many subjects would be impacted.
  


• Test-taking strategies: A poor test result doesn't always mean that the student doesn't have a good grasp of the academic material or skill gaps. It's possible that the student understands the material but doesn't take tests well. An effective test-taking strategy includes: learning how to prioritize material when studying for a test; preparing for a test over a number of days and not just the night before; coping with stress during the test; and managing time during a test so that all sections or areas are completed.

By deliberately focusing on improving study skills, students can see improvements in all aspects of their schoolwork.

Sylvan can help your child experience less stress and more success with studying and schoolwork! Email your local Sylvan Learning or call 1-888-EDUCATE to learn more.