POPSUGAR

Easy A! 12 Study Tips and Tricks For Teens

Jan 7 2014 - 3:16am

January brings a lot of joy, but also a lot of annoyances. Cold Winter weather, sniffles and sore throats, and — for teens — midterms. Answering questions, filling in the blanks, and writing essays on everything they've learned since September can be a daunting task, especially for those who haven't experienced exams before. It may seem like there isn't much moms can do, but there are several ways to help your teen get through this stressful time. Here, tips and tricks to help your teen ace her tests.

Make Sure They Know the Material

A week before the test, remind your child to ask his teacher what it will cover. This will help him know what material to focus on and what he can glance over.

Organize Their Papers

If she isn't already doing so, encourage your child to organize all her notes, handouts, and homework assignments. Designate binders for each subject, and sort the papers by topic or dates taken. That way, when it's time to study, she won't spend hours searching for information.

Designate a Study Space

Sprawling on the living room floor is not only uncomfortable but unproductive. If you can't fit a desk in her room, allow her to use your office space or to sit at the kitchen table. Encourage her to use the same spot every time to help her develop a study routine.

Minimize Distractions

Teens say they are the ultimate multitaskers, but we know that isn't true. Tell him to turn off his cell phone, computer, and tablet so he can focus on his studies. But he isn't the only one who needs to keep quiet. Turn off the TV, limit phone conversations, and try to keep household chatter to a minimum.

Prioritize Subjects

It's common for kids to have more than one test a day, especially during midterms and final exams. However, if one of those tests is in a subject she excels in, then she doesn't have to devote as much time to it. Find out her academic strengths and weakness, and make a study plan based on those.

Manage Their Time

It's easy for teens to gets lost in their textbooks and forget about their other obligations. Set a timer or alarm to keep him on track.

Study in Chunks

If a test covers one large topic, for example Word War II or Romeo and Juliet, break it up into smaller sections. This makes the material more manageable and makes it easier for teens to take in all that info.

Encourage Breaks

A marathon study session may seem like a good idea, but it could actually hinder his ability to remember facts. Every hour, your child should take five minutes to have a healthy snack, stretch his body, or simply step away from the books. This gives his brain a chance to reenergize and refocus.

Rewrite Notes

Don't worry about wasting paper! When your child has a lot of material to go over, rewriting their notes is a great way to review — especially if he hasn't thought about the topic since September.

Find a Study Buddy

Usually a room full of teens can be a distraction, but it some cases it's a great study tool. If her friend does well in a class that she struggles with, invite him over to act as a tutor.

Check In

Don't hover over her desk, but drop in every so often to make sure she's OK. It's easy for teens to become frustrated, so remind her to relax. She'll study and perform better if she's not stressed.

Shut the Books

He may be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but that could do more harm than good. About 12 hours before the test, the brain has taken in all the material it can handle. Trying to cram more will only cause stress and confusion.


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https://www.popsugar.com/family/Study-Tips-Kids-33344724