Teaching study skills begins with organization. The first step to creating organizational study skills occurs in the classroom. Students need to develop a system. They may need a binder with section dividers. Some students may prefer to have a notebook and a folder for each class. A planner or a calendar to write down the dates of upcoming assignments, tests, and projects help students organize.
Teaching study skills does nothing if a student has no place to study. For some, this may be a desk in their bedroom or a place at the dining room table. Others may prefer studying in the home office or while sitting on the
deck/patio. A student should not study on his or her bed. It is important not to be too comfortable while studying as one needs to be alert and engaged in the material. Regardless of location, it needs to be quiet, free of distractions, and conducive to learning.
Students also need to find a routine—when to study. Some students may choose to study as soon as they arrive home from school while other students may need a few hours to unwind and relax. Students who study shortly after arriving home find that they have better recall of the material as it is fresh. Students should establish a routine and make themselves stick to it.
Parents may wish to assist by offering incentives. If a student is faithful to his/ her routine and maintain acceptable grades, the student should be rewarded with some time off—maybe the weekend. Parents
could also offer to take their son or daughter to the movie or out to dinner simply for doing well. When parents sweeten the deal, students understand that they have more at stake than just some grades. The greatest incentive, of course, is a habit that will benefit them their entire life.