Studying: (Most of) You Are Doing it Wrong (And So Are Your Kids)

A few days before sitting down to to this article, I decided to start focusing on solutions to building comprehensive education after my first post so…erm… “eloquently” some of the principal issues. While I talked about writing last time, let’s get a bit more specific and talk about studying.

Ever have an experience where your child brought home a “below par” grade and it simply “didn’t sit right” with you? Or maybe you genuinely believed your child could do better than the grade? Perhaps this has even happened across multiple grades. Well, you’re probably singing the same song many parents are across the world. And there could be many explanations for the new academic challenge, but let’s start with the fundamental question:

How is your child studying?

Ah yes, studying. Often times children are left to their own vices when studying, and the repetition looking at words over and over, or doing the same problems over and over again causes them to drift off into internal distractions, or sometimes even gravitate toward external distractions. And this could make the difference in grades.

Tip #1: External Distraction Buster-Create a decluttered space in your home. Ever remember trying to get that term paper done at the last minute in your dorm room, and just churning it out? Sometimes that worked and sometimes that didn’t, right? Maybe it was the structure of your dorm room, or where you did that paper. Let’s look at some ways to bust this.

1. Create a decluttered space in the home.
2. Reserve it specifically for studying.
3. Possibly have multiple such spaces depending on the subject matter. Inspiration and focus can come from different areas.
4. Allow your child to participate in the decluttering process. (e.g. Clean your “Think Tank”!)

Result: If your child can have a space that is cleared out for studying, when they have a test coming up, or a big assignment due, sometimes just seeing that space will put them in the mindset of “I need to get to work!” This stands to motivate them to push harder in their work.

Tip #2: External Distraction Buster: Limiting Electronics. This one works in any environment in an age where most of us love social media, or Netflix, or our favorite shoes. While some assignments require the use of the internet, most of the time, quizzes, tests, and exams can be done while completely unplugged. Let’s take a look at what this looks like.

1. Designate study blocks where the TV and cellphone are off.
2. Bring an incentive of (e.g. ‘x amount of time studying’ produces ‘y amount of time on social media or to watch their favorite show).
3. Like #2, you can do your own checks for understanding for the electronics incentives.

Result: Designating dedicated study time to stay away from electronics will allow a focused mind. With none of their favorite characters interactions, or notifications making the phone blink, beep, or go off like a strobe light, all five of your child’s senses are more dedicated to processing information, and it will be retained.

Tip #3: Internal Distraction Buster: Compile a Planner or a Calendar that Includes Dedicated Study Time. Piggybacking off of the first two tips, what is space without time? If your child understands that it is time to study, then they will likely be more motivated to do so, and thus more focused when it is time to study.. This will also allow them to have a better appreciation for recreational time. Let’s examine this, shall we?

1. Either allow the child to take full ownership of their weekly planner, or if younger, go over it with them.
2. Both you and the child honor both study blocks, and other relevant blocks (including those for recreation and simple rest).
3. If you like, sign a contract with them “ratifying the calendar into law”.

Result: Your child now has more ownership over their schedule, and they will build more tactical expertise knowing that there is time in the schedule for everything. these skills will carry them all the way into adulthood.

Tip #4: Internal Distraction Buster: Designate Break Time! We’re all only human right, and our children are no different. In the thread of the first three tips, we were coming to rest. This one speaks for itself. If your child has been studying too long, then information will begin to run together and de-organize itself in their mind. Without memorization, deeper processes like comprehension, analysis, and synthesis become impossible. So let your child rest.

Tip #5: If All Else Fails, Find a Tutor! Sometimes you’ve tried everything, and your child still “doesn’t get it”. This is okay as well, as sometimes content experts are necessary in order to bring that message forward. Tutors can:

1. Diagnose the content problems for a student.
2. Provide deeper studying techniques to go in concert with what you have already set forth.
3. Provide an extra example for guidance (some of the best learning experiences do come from educators).

Result: Your child has greater perspective on the subject matter and will feel empowered to perform better. We will be doing an entry on picking the perfect tutor in the future, so please stay tuned!

This is just a scratch of the surface for the issue of studying. Sound studying integrates both reading and writing, and in the next entry, I want to bring together these elements on how to handle things academically. But…we may take a break from school, because that matters in education too. Until next time, folks!

[Disclaimer: This story entry has been modified from its original version found at this link (but still written by me). Science Unlimited, LLC is a partner of the 360 Institute for Higher Learning, and I have worked alongside them for five years.]