Neil Said:

Homework. What to do next with my 12 year old?

We Answered:

I think you are going about it backwards. Come home from school, sit down, do homework. My daughter was the same way and it was tough going until she hit about 16 and then figured out that it was easier just to get it done.

Good luck, you're going to need it.

Add on: Freedom, you folks are talking about a 12 year old girl who has shown a definite lack of self discipline. Yeah, almost 500 THOUSAND kids dropped out of high school last year! Don't do it dude, be the parent not the pal.

Ray Said:

Help! I'm always trying to make my homework/studying skills better?

We Answered:

Put it into perspective! When you are done with school and working as whatever you intend to work as, will anyone ever ask you if you got a grade of 110 on that one essay?

Maybe if you can do some volunteer work, job shadowing, or an internship in your chosen field to get a feeling for what the actual work will be like, it will help you to recognize what things are relevant and should be focussed on, rather than getting lost in the minutia.

Sean Said:

how can the teachers enhanced the study skills of the students?

We Answered:

It would depend on the age of the children. In the middle and high school level. You could make it a game. Divide the students in groups. Have all the members of the group be responsible for each other in the group. It make sure they are all studying. Give each person a point sheet. Then you can pick a day of the week and play a Jeopardy type game. To start have one person from each group come up to the front of room and give them answer to something they were suppose to study over the last week. Have them raise their hands if they know the answer if they get it right their group get 3 points. If they miss it, anyone else sitting up front can answer for 2 points fro their group. If no one up front knows the answer, give it to the class for 1 point. At the end of the semester, which every group has the most points their group gets 5 points extra on the last test. So that you can remember, keep track on the board and make sure to transfer the numbers between each class. We did this in my college Oral Communication class and it was a lot of fun. Hope this helps.

Alicia Said:

How can I complete my homework without falling asleep or getting distracted?

We Answered:

get some coffee or an energy drink and fin a person that can help you stay awake or encourage you maybe talk over the phoen about the topic. Goodluck

Phyllis Said:

I need help with study skills?

We Answered:

get Cal Newport's book *How to become a straight A student"... he is a former ivy league student (Brown university and MIT) and has compiled the study methods of the straight A students from his time at Brown. Some of the main points in his book:

- Study at the most isolated and quiet place you can find - there should be absolutely no distractions
- Do blocks of 50 minutes studying and 10 minutes break
- Take notes in question/answer/conclusion format - focus on the big ideas
- After reading do active recall which means you have to pretend that you're presenting what you've just read to a class without looking at your notes. That is the quickest and most effective way of memorizing and understanding what you've just read. Get up from your chair take your notes (question/answer/conclusion format).. ask yourself the questions and answer the question out loud. When you can answer them all you're done. And when it's time to review for exams just do the same.
- Study a little bit every single day.. don't wait until the day before.
- To avoid procrastinating plan and break down all your readings for the coming week on sunday nights. Knowing exactly what to read and having a plan makes you more motivated.

Lorraine Said:

Can anyone help me with my bad study, and homework habits?

We Answered:

You should specify your problem.
Do you not study enough? Do you find it hard to concentrate? Do you try to study but have trouble understanding? I would give different advice for all these problems but try out what works for you from the following:

Make a list of everything you need to do that day in terms of homework, reading, studying.
If you have a big test on thursday, plan out what you will study between Sun and Wed (each day) (or however many days you need for it, it might be 2 or 6 depending on the test)

Then stay away from the tv/computer, if music helps you fine but be in an otherwise distraction free place and sit down to do hw/studying. I work best in "bursts" so i work for 45 mins then take a 10 min break but if you are on a roll..keep going..if you need a 5 min break after 30 mins then do that - everyone is different but breaks should NOT be longer than 10 mins unless you go eat food because you will be too distracted. DUring the break you can check email, stretch, go talk to a sibling in another room, use the bathroom, get a snack etc.

Don't leave things for the last minute. If you work better if someone else is working ..study with someone who is more "studious" than you even if they are studying for another subject sit int he same room but I don't suggest studying with your best friend because you will most likely be distracted.

When studying for a test you can use tips like making an outline of main points, re-writing important names/dates/significance, using note cards and having someone else verbally test you, repeating things out loud (making tricks/phrases to remember them).

Lastly, if you are trying to study but are having trouble with the material go to your parents, teacher, an after school tutoring program or ask a a person in the class who is doing well to help you.

Charles Said:

study skills help?

We Answered:

I have ADHD and auditory processing disorders so I have always had to work harder than the average student to make good grades. In order for my tips to help you must be willing to work extremly hard.

Here are some things that I do:

1. On nights you have a lot of homework, go to the library and do it there. Do not come home until you finish it. You will realize you will get more stuff done here and understand it better. There will be few distractions. Sit at a table by yourself where few people walk by.

2. Make flashcards for everything! This is the biggest help! even if you don't have time to study them. It still is a good tool to help you remember things as you write them down. Do not have music or a television on in the background. Also, if you do plan on studying them, highlight your flashcards. on the front use one color and on the back use a different color. Your brain learns better with color! (it's true!)

3. For subjects like Science and History... for each section in your chapter... make a outline. Don't wait until the day before the test.... do it day by day as u study it... make sure to add the vocabulary terms. Also underline key facts and hightlight the key words. You can also use this to study for the test if you dont lose it.

4. Right before going to bed, or right before going to that certain class... look/skim over your notes. it will make a difference and when the teachers ask questions will have a slight understanding of what she is talking about.

5. For math homework..... DO IT! actually DO IT. even if your teacher does not take it for a grade..... write your questions about the problem beside it if u get it wrong and ask your teacher when you are going over it!!

6. Get to know your teachers on a personal level. Let them you are trying harder and you will do whatever it takes to make a better grade and pass. Tell them the problems you are having in class, such as: I can't pay attention in the back of the seats, I don't have a lot of help from home, ect. and ask for any suggestions. BUT do not make excuses other than it being your own fault. If you do this, teachers will know you are trying and will be more willing to help you.

Good luck. These help me. Im 17 jr. and I struggle a lot too, so I know where you are coming from.

I also have one of the hardest schools in the state..... if not the hardest.