Organizing Good Study Habits

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Organizing Good Study Habits

By Cyndi Seidler

Basics (for all students):

Create a study area. One must determine where the best place is to study and do homework, and then set up a study environment. Whatever the designated location chosen for the study base is, how a study "headquarters" is set up affects one's ability to stay focused. This includes desk and accessories, various study aids, materials, a filing system in place for class materials, and good lighting.
Set up school supply storage solutions. Storage repositories are needed to organized various school materials. These can include: expanding subject accordion-type files or file folders that stand in a cardboard box or portable plastic file container; cardboard cubbyholes for paper supplies; cardboard or plastic shoe boxes in a drawer to stash supplies; tray baskets or bicycle baskets for paper. Use wall shelves, under the bed storage containers, and hanging space on the inside of cupboard and closet doors to create extra storage space.

Remove distractions. Is the study area in a high-traffic area? How often are there interruptions from people passing through? The TV being on? Having to answer the phone? Try to avoid disturbances and outside noise as best as possible.

Set up a disciplined homework routine. Determine when is the best time for studies. What is the time of day when they are at peak performance (mentally most alert)? Part of learning to managing time is to create a routine time of day for studying, at the same time every day.

Tips for parents with younger kids:

Create a Homework Award Chart. A method to give kids some incentive to do their school work, with rewards for completing assignments and achieving good grades.
Use tools which are beneficial to motivate and encourage learning. If it's affordable, get a computer. Research has shown that children who master computers learn faster. There are many fun learning software programs to stimulate a child's mind to learn.
Make reading a habit. Parents can set up "reading time" together to help develop reading habits in their children.

Tips for older students:

Create a School Assignment Board. Use a self-made vertical calendar chart on a magnetic and erasable board, just like the ready-made charts for professionals that are available in a variety of formats. This Board breaks down assignments into component parts with specific tasks involved in the school project. This method provides planning experience, also. Time to study for exams is also included on the Board.
Keep a daily schedule. Keep daily schedule forms to delegate the amount of time needed for the most important study priorities. Plan study time in blocks of time (i.e., math assignment, science paper). Include appointments, errands, and time off in your day, as well.
Establish the best study conditions. Determine best setting for study. Is it alone or with friends? With music or in a quiet setting? It might be helpful to set up a study group to improve one's studies.
Take notes. Organize for class by taking notes and organizing them in notebook binders. Outlining a textbook or article helps distinguish the most important facts and points, helping to build a good understanding of the subject.
Create visuals from reading. A horizontal or vertical timeline to helps visualize the chronology and remember the relationship of key world events. A concept tree helps to make notes more memorable and present a visual representation of the relationship among several key facts.
Put together an indexing system. This note card system cuts the time it takes to research and organize a term paper. Set up a list of resources by category (magazine articles, encyclopedias, books, newspapers, etc.).

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