Back To School Study Skills Tips For Creating Better Students

This post on back to school study skills tips is sponsored by Sylvan Learning. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Back To School Study Skills & Tips Can Help Create A Solid Foundation Resulting In Better Students

From my own personal experiences as student and as the mother of two elementary school students, I believe in study skills. I also believe that study skills are something we develop with a little guidance and that these skills go along way towards creating better students that are more successful at reaching their goals. Since Kindergarten, I have been working with my children to help build strong study skills and I can see already how much it is paying off with my fourth grader because she has good study habits.

As children grow older and they begin to learn more and more new things, they often have to figure out new more effective study habits. To me, there is no question that strong study skills give kids a competitive edge in school. Good study skills become more and more important and translate into success in middle school, high school, college and the real world.
It is important to have a framework for the most effective way to approach things and to stay organized when working on a task. Often students may not realize they need improved study skills until their grades begin to slip. Having good study skills is important to your child’s self-esteem so that they know they can handle the work and they don’t feel like they are letting themselves or their parents down by performing below their expectations.

Sylvan Learning Shares 6 Expert Study Skills Tips For Back To School Season:

Here are some great study skills tips from an expert- Sylvan Learning.

Make Use of Study Tools. A recent Sylvan survey found that more than half (54 percent) of parents surveyed with children in grades four through eight stated that their child reads his or her textbook and notes over and over to study – an ineffective study habit. Utilizing flashcards and color-coding materials are better for helping students remember key points.

Develop a Study Process. First things first: students need to know when a test will take place, the types of questions that will be included and the topics that will be covered. From there, they should create a study plan and allow ample time to prepare – there’s nothing worse than cramming the night before an exam.

Begin Using a Planner. Between homework, tests and extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the cracks. A planner can help keep everything organized and students should write down assignments, appointments and to-do lists. Students should review items in the planner at both the beginning and end of the day to stay on track.

Identify Teacher Expectations. It is helpful for students to know how and what they will be graded on. By middle school and high school, most teachers will provide a course outline or syllabus, which can serve as a guide for the semester. If expectations aren’t clear, don’t wait until a bad report card comes in the mail. Parents and students should feel comfortable approaching teachers with questions about grading and assignments at any time.

Create a Designated Study Area. If children are studying in front of a television or in a high-traffic area, chances are they aren’t getting the most out of study time. They should find a quiet, well-lit, low-traffic space in the house for studying. Parents can even institute a “communications blackout” policy with no cell phones or instant messaging allowed until schoolwork is done. This is such an important tip!

Know When to Get Help. Sylvan’s survey found that 63 percent of parents surveyed didn’t feel that they could help with all of their child’s homework. If you can’t help your child, find a qualified professional who can.

Sylvan Learning Offers Advanced Study Skills Programs

To help equip students with the skills and strategies that can make a big impact your student’s success, Sylvan Learning offers Advanced Study Skills programs. Just in time for the back to school season, Sylvan Learning is offering a new Study Skills course focused on Organization and Time Management at the special price of $199 (a $200 savings) now through September 30, 2014. During the four-week program, which includes eight sessions, students will learn time management, strategic planning skills, better organization habits, how to use an academic planner and how to properly track grades. For more information, please visit the Study Skills Website.

Which of Sylvan’s back to school study skills tips resonate the most with your child? Do you agree that study skills are important to creating a better student?