As we approach the third week of school, we wanted to compile our list of smart study strategies for student success. These strategies were all inspired by what we’ve seen our own teachers and students employ to help make the start of school be the best it can be! Before we jump into the study strategies I wanted to take a moment and state that Tenney School Live is still accepting students for the 2024 – 2025 school year. If you or someone you know would benefit from online instruction and is in the grades 5 – 12, we recommend you inquire today to see how Tenney School Live can help your student reach success, all from the comfort of home!
Study Tip 1: Establish a Good Routine
We discussed in the past the importance of a good routine, but now that we’re at the beginning of the school year, it’s more important than ever to establish that routine. The reason for this is that a good routine lays the foundation for future study strategies we’ll discuss. Without a routine, a student isn’t able to establish good habits for the continuing school year. Novakeducation.com states the importance of building a routine early on as the “Critical 20 Days in Education”:
The initial month of any learning journey, excluding weekends, is often referred to as the “First 20 days” or, in simpler terms: the first four weeks (Croasdaile, p.30, 2023). This is a matter of great concern for educators across the spectrum, from early childhood education to postgraduate levels and workplaces. Many educational neuroscientists say that in order for more effective teaching to happen, one of the most important issues that should be prioritized in the first month of education is to establish routines.
Study Tip 2: Start Early
Many students, including me when I was in school, fall into the habit of cramming. Take it from my personal experience, this is not a good way to study! Not only is it inefficient, but it also adds unneeded stress to students right before an exam. Studying should be incorporated into your daily routine as a student. Setting aside 20 minutes every day to study will go a long way in improving your academic standing. It also builds good academic habits that will further your experience both inside school and post graduation. Many students, especially high schoolers, will graduate and go on to university where their poor study strategies will be a detriment to their success.
Study Tip 3: Study Groups
While not for everyone, studying in a group is a great way to remain motivated and also have a little fun! Students at our school routinely connect and study during their off periods or homeroom. Not only does this allow our students to work together and establish relationships, but it also allows them to stay on top of their schoolwork. This encourages accountability for each student while improving their academic habits.
Study Tip 4: Set Goals
Studying without a goal is like driving without a destination. The effort you put in comes out wasted as the journey has no direction. Sure you may arrive at a stop, but you may run out of gas before you see any meaningful progress. While studying, having a clear goal sets you up for other study strategies. You can better understand what concepts you need help with as well. I recommend spending some time analyzing what your class is covering/reviewing. It may seem like a waste at first, but I can promise you that even just 30 minutes of planning your study goals will go a long way in improving your time spent studying.
The School that Sets You Up For Success
The large classroom environment is not for everyone. Each individual student has a preference in their learning style, so why not go to a school where they adapt to you? Our online program through Tenney School Live allows students to learn one-on-one with their teachers from the comfort of home. Whether you want to enroll full-time or take a supplemental course or two, Tenney School Live allows you to choose how you want to learn! Inquire today and see why our students love our online program so much!
