Straight A students are not born—-they are made! And that starts with smart study skills. There are a few basic steps parents can take to improve their children’s study skills and increase their opportunities for better grades. Here is a summary of our top 7. We remember them by associating them with the acronym PROSPER!
P = Planner
R = Reduce Distractions
O = Organize Your Materials
S = Study Space
P = Prioritize by Making a List of Urgent Tasks
E = Estimate the Time Needed for Each Task
and Double It!
R = Reward Yourself for Completing Each Task
Here is what we mean by PROSPER—
1.Keep a planner. Pick one color ink to record urgent assignments and tomorrow’s tests and use another color ink to record future test dates and due dates for long term assignments.
2.Reduce distractions and try to eliminate them. Get rid of time robbers! Put away phones, turn off TVs and get a great pair of headphones.
3.Teach your children to organize their desks after each study session—put completed assignments in their backpacks/binders and store research materials in their baskets/file cabinets.
4.Create a quiet study space. Make sure all materials are available in organized containers; tools such as colorful post-its, a variety of pens/pencils, highlighters and paper are critical to your children’s success. Give them ownership of this space by encouraging them to decorate it.
5.Prioritize each day’s assignments. Make a list of daily tasks starting with urgent tasks that are due tomorrow. Be sure to include those tasks that are not due tomorrow but do require long term data collection and multiple drafts.
6.Estimate how long each task will take and double it. This will allow extra time to complete the most difficult tasks and reduce stress.
7.Teach kids to reward themselves for completing each task with enjoyable activities like calling/texting a friend, taking a movement break or getting a snack. Set a goal for a big reward when the daily tasks are complete. This “ME” time is critical to keep our kids motivated.
By following these 7 basic steps, you will be teaching critical executive functioning skills and building smart study skills for life!
Get remedial help for students who begin to fall behind. Seek out a specialist who understands how to integrate executive functioning with life-long study skills.
The team at Jodie K Schuller & Associates Therapies for Success has over 35 years of experience helping students build the study skills they will need for higher education and success in their future careers.
Give us 4 months for a brighter future!
To do list:
1. Keep a planner
2. Reduce distractions
3. Take time to organize
4. Create a quiet study space
5. Prioritize each day’s assignments
6. Allow double time when
scheduling homework
7. Use frequent and meaningful
rewards
Spotlight on Success
Student of the Week
Kenneth Thelappilly
Age: 17;8
Enrolled in Literacy and Language
Therapy
Kenneth is our reading rock star! In the last 10 months, his reading comprehension has jumped two grade levels as he has learned to ask thoughtful critical thinking questions and analyze his literature!