It’s that time of the year, kids all around the country are heading back to school.
Whilst many parents will be jumping for joy, most teens will definitely not be.
My ‘baby’ is certainly one of those, as she heads into Year 12.
Not all teens are academically inclined, but with some good study skills, they can still do their very best.
Five years ago my eldest daughter decided to apply for entry into the Queensland Academy For Maths, Science and Technology. She was successful and spent Years 10, 11 and 12 completing her high schooling doing the incredibly tough IB curriculum.
There were many times she felt like quitting, but thankfully she didn’t and one of the most invaluable things she learnt was fabulous study skills that helped her cope then and now as she enters her 3rd year at UQ studying a Bachelor Of Science, step one on her way to being a Neuro surgeon.
1. Have a dedicated study space – Ideally every teen should have a desk in their room, but if that is not possible, the dining room table will do the job, just try and ensure there is a clear space for your child to spread out and work.
2. Stock up on supplies – One of the best excuses to stop studying is not having the right supplies, I mean you can’t possibly keep working unless you have a 0.5mm graphite lead mechanical pencil that is in a pink case, ahhh try another one sweetie! I always stocked up on extra stationary at the back to school sales and kept them in a large plastic tub.
3. Bite sized chunks – High school assignments can be very daunting and as the days tick by towards the due date, so many kids procrastinate as they struggle to even know where to start. Breaking a big task down into small steps and focusing on completing on a little bit at the time can make all the difference and avoid that last minute panic when it is due.
4. Keep your eye out for distractions – If you have to confiscate their phone, do it! Texting buddies or scrolling through Facebook will suck away at time. Both of my girls do enjoy having music playing in the background when they are studying, but only accessed from their playlist not multiple trips to Youtube to find a new song.
5. Help them stay focused – Especially around exam time, I put an aromatherapy burner on in their rooms with a blend of basil and lemon. This combination is great for helping them stay focused and alert. Using any of the citrus essential oils are great for lifting spirits and creating a positive vibe in their room.
6. Get more help from Google – It is not uncommon for a child to not quite grasp a concept or idea. This can often have to do with the teaching style being delivered and many teens are embarrassed to ask for more help in front of their peers. Help your child discover the wonders of Google and the incredible selection of information available. My girls have often had breakthroughs by listening to someone else deliver the same information but in a different way.
7. Staying hydrated – Drinking lot’s of water is one of the easiest ways to give yourself an energy boost. If your teen complains about being tired, apart from making sure they go to bed at a decent hour, is to give them a big glass of water to drink.
Both of my girls have done really well at school, not because they are exceptionally gifted, they have to work for their good marks. I have worked really hard at keeping the lines of communication open and my girls talk to me about everything. This helps me know where they are at, what is irking them and what their workload is. There have been meltdowns and tears, but together we have found solutions and got the job done.
I want my girls to have careers that they are proud of and bring them joy. Good grades simply means more options for them to pick from.
What clever tips can you add to the list?
Sharing for #FYBF at With Some Grace.com
The dedicated space is so important as kids will try to study on their beds or on the floor eating in front of the TV. Not great places to concentrate.
My girls do sometimes sprawl all over the bed with laptops, Ipads and books covering them, but when they have really important tasks they always gravitate to their desks.
My eldest is starting Year 8 and so we had the huge jump from primary school to high school homework last year. The thing that helped him the most was helping him with time management. We would discuss each of the classes he had every day and sort through what work needed doing. That and reading over stuff with him and challenging him in places we knew he could improve if he dug a bit deeper.
Taking an active role in helping kids navigate high school is truly vital. 🙂
These are all great tips! I wish I had had Google when I was in high school, working on all those daunting assignments and projects!
So do I, it would have made it much easier. 🙂