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Improve Your Study Habits

Do you avoid studying like the plague? Do you find it hard to concentrate on your homework? Do you get to class and not remember anything of what you studied the night before? If so, here are some tips to help make your study time more worthwhile:

• Set aside a specific time to study. Many kids find it easiest to come home, have something to eat, then study right away, but if you have other activities at that time you'll need to find what works for you.
• Study every day. If you don't have assignments to do, take a few minutes to review topics that you find hardest. This may sound like a drag, but it's good to get into the habit of doing it every day.
• Create your own study space. If you don't have a desk in your room, or if the dining room table doesn't give you enough peace, consider going to the local library or taking up a corner of the basement.
• Don't do other things while you are studying. This includes watching TV, fixing a snack, and talking on the phone. Some people claim they can study better with music playing. That's a matter of personal preference. If it's just quiet background music that doesn't make you want to play the drums on your books, it's probably not too distracting.
• If you have a lot of reading to do to prepare for a test, try taking notes as you go along. Otherwise, you'll find your mind wandering.
• Homework shouldn't take up all of your spare time. If you find one teacher is giving out hours of homework all the time, it could be that he/she doesn't realize it takes so long. Talk to your teacher, or to another teacher you can approach and alert them to the amount of time your homework is taking up.
• Finally, ask for help if you need it. Teachers and friends are usually willing to go over something with you again if you didn't quite "get it" the first time.