As another school year approaches, students are preparing themselves for another year of workload. Studying would be much more challenging in this pandemic because online classes are now part of the “new normal.” Students’ study habits must also be modified to adjust to the circumstances. But no matter how hard studying could be, students will continue to give their maximum effort to achieve their dreams with the right environment of support and guidance. This is where parents can come in.
Parents can help their children study by cultivating the right habits even at an early age, sharing tips on how to study hard and smart. Allotting four, long straight hours to study doesn’t automatically guarantee students that they will pass. Common techniques students are familiar with, such as focusing on one subject a day or cramming, may not be as productive as they thought. Instead, strategically optimizing resources is the way to go. With too many study tips available, here is how parents can help guide their children in studying smart.
Organize a well-detailed schedule
Regardless of the level of education, students can benefit from having a planner not just to track their schedule properly but also to be well-prepared. Parents can start by showing the difference between being organized and going with the flow.
Part of scheduling is also determining when to remove distraction, especially from social media, and when to take a break. Parents can be strict with managing the screen time of their children to aid in their focus and studying. If the children are amenable, they can even hold onto the gadgets and give them back after successfully memorizing the material, such as understanding the mechanics of a hot foil stamping machine for physics or solving trigonometry problem sets.
Parents can also introduce a technique called ‘spacing out,’ where students study all subjects every day over short periods. Practicing this technique will advance long-term memory because the habit of cramming information is nonexistent.
Ensure active engagement with the materials
To appreciate study materials (lecture notes, textbooks, assigned readings, etc.), students must actively engage with them. This goes beyond merely reading, highlighting, and memorization. It’s more on interpreting the text that “involves making connections to lectures, forming examples, and regulating one’s learning.” Active engagement is also classified as a method to communicate with the self. Parents can quiz their children by formulating related questions and have them answer based on their understanding. It is only by explaining a concept to another person can understanding be present.
Testing together before concluding a study session can strengthen long-term learning. It’s good to focus on lessons that an individual finds most difficult to gauge their understanding. They can answer old exams or find similar exam types online. Parents can also encourage study groups, so students can motivate and learn from each other, especially if they are not available to help in homework and recitations.
But remember, studying will only be as effective as the student wants it to be. Parents can only do so much if the student is not committed to what they set to accomplish.
