Post by Cool Shanghai Guy on Aug 12, 2006 10:47:30 GMT -5
Good Study Habits
Compiled by Mr. Gregory
As people we learn habits to help us in our every day lives. Some habits are good and some can be bad. For the most part habits are good. What is a habit?
habit - "The ability or inclination to do something easily and unhesitatingly, acquired by constant repetition of an act or way of behaving." Webster's Student Dictionary, 1962
Habits are learned to help us do something we do over and over with less effort and thought. Many times we do things by habit without thinking about what we are doing (i.e. brushing our teeth or tying our shoes). When you tie your shoes you think about something else, not tying your shoe lace, but how about when you were learning to tie them. You thought about which lace went on the bottom and which on top, how to tuck one under the other, how to make the loop, etc. Just think if you had to think about it that way every time you tied them.
Now try to imagine your life without good habits. You would have to think about everything you do now automatically. How to walk, balance, use a fork, etc. In fact you could not function without good habits.
Good study habits are much the same. They help you study without wasting time trying to decide where, when and how. They also make learning easier and faster. Below are some good study habits learned over the years and proven to work. If you want to learn and learn easier, spend some time learning and practicing these rules and soon they will become habits. They are not automatic until they are practiced for a while.
Any list of "Good Study Habits" should include these seven:
Study every subject every day, even if it is just 5 minutes. This is over and above the homework assignment and even if you don't have any homework.
Have a set time to study every day. This way you do not have to decide when to study. Be flexible, but not too flexible.
Study the subjects in order, the hardest one first. This way you do the hardest work when you are freshest.
Have a set place to study, sitting up at a desk or table. It should be quiet and as free from distractions as possible.
Have all your tools before you begin. This means have the paper needed, pencils sharpened, pens and anything else needed to complete the work at hand. This avoids interruptions which tend to break your train of thought.
Set a time limit goal. If you don't, you could take too much time.
Take a short break every 30 to 40 minutes (short-5 minutes).
If you are too lazy to learn and practice the above, think about this. It is easier than what you are doing now! You will feel better about yourself too.
Mr. Gregory is the principal of Calvary Christian School in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Study Skills: The Key to Productive Learning
by Charles Walker
A study skill, by definition, is any study procedure that is used successfully to complete a learning assignment. In other words, it is an activity or technique that will help a student learn. The key phrase here is "will help a student learn." Study skills help students become independent learners; as independent, active learners they will learn more. It is important to your child's academic success that he learns study skills at each grade level, but it is equally as important that these skills be practiced until they become habits. Parents and students should view study skills as learning tools, not assignments, that will help students to learn more and to make better grades.
What are the major study skills? Students should be practicing or at least understand several major study skills by the time they enter high school. These should include following instructions, studying and taking exams, managing time, reading textbooks, writing, organizing a home study area, listening in class, participating in class discussions, taking notes, and using library resources. The fundamental reason for developing good study habits is for students to perform better on school work, thus heightening learning, test scores, and grades. Obviously, students are not expected to master all of these skills during their first years of school; however, as a child progresses through the elementary grades, his teachers will expect him to become progressively conscious of study skills each year as he assumes more responsibility for organizing and supervising his own learning. The school's final goal is to produce a self-motivated, self disciplined student who is equipped to learn and who has a desire to learn.
How to improve your child's study skills. Would you be willing to help your child improve his study skills if you knew how? Of course you would. First, talk with your child's teacher(s). Ask what study skills your child should know; ask if he is using these skills in his school studies. Second, volunteer to reinforce at home the study skills taught at school. Then communicate periodically with the teacher and compare notes. Next, purchase study skill activity books in the areas recommended by your child's teacher at your local school supply store.
Finally, help your child develop the basic study skills - organization, time management, and assuming personal responsibility.
1. Develop organizational skills. Emphasize to your child the learning benefits of being organized. As the Apostle Paul so aptly stated in I Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Organizational skills such as writing assignments in a notebook, taking notes in class, organizing a home study area, organizing a desk or locker, organizing a personal schedule, and avoiding last minute cramming for an exam should be encouraged. A quiet place for studying should always be available at home. Study aids such as reference materials, a dictionary, a desk, and general school supplies should also be accessible.
2. Develop time-management skills. As your child progresses through school, more activities and responsibilities will compete for his time. Since procrastination is one of the most common causes of time-mismanagement, help your child learn how to use his time wisely. Show him how to develop a written time schedule and how to break the big projects into smaller tasks, each task with a realistic deadline. A daily things-to-do list will also help your child manage his classroom assignments. These items should be ranked according to priority.
3. Accept personal responsibility for learning. Motivated children accept personal responsibility for learning, but unfortunately, many children are not self-motivated, and in some instances, are not easily motivated. Helping your child set academic and study goals is the first step in preparing him to accept personal responsibility. Hold your child accountable; assume personal supervision of his learning. For example, monitor his homework and test schedule, discuss his graded papers and tests, supervise homework assignments, and provide personal or tutorial help when it is needed, but do not do your child's work for him. Responsibility is a part of God's plan for your child, both now and in the future. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).
A teacher cannot make a student learn -- a student must first want to learn. Teachers can teach and strive to motivate children to learn, and in most instances succeed, but each child must determine for himself how much he wants to learn. The goal of every teacher is to see their students become immersed in the learning process. When a student refuses to accept personal responsibility for his learning and the home neglects to become involved in a child's learning experiences, academic achievements will be limited. And who is the loser when this happens? The student, of course. Help your child learn to develop organizational skills, to manage his time, and to accept personal responsibility for learning. Learning these three basic study skills will help your child take a giant step in reaching his Teaming potential. After all, that is why you Send him to school-to learn.
Dr. Charles Walker is the education Director of the American Association of Christian Schools.
Compiled by Mr. Gregory
As people we learn habits to help us in our every day lives. Some habits are good and some can be bad. For the most part habits are good. What is a habit?
habit - "The ability or inclination to do something easily and unhesitatingly, acquired by constant repetition of an act or way of behaving." Webster's Student Dictionary, 1962
Habits are learned to help us do something we do over and over with less effort and thought. Many times we do things by habit without thinking about what we are doing (i.e. brushing our teeth or tying our shoes). When you tie your shoes you think about something else, not tying your shoe lace, but how about when you were learning to tie them. You thought about which lace went on the bottom and which on top, how to tuck one under the other, how to make the loop, etc. Just think if you had to think about it that way every time you tied them.
Now try to imagine your life without good habits. You would have to think about everything you do now automatically. How to walk, balance, use a fork, etc. In fact you could not function without good habits.
Good study habits are much the same. They help you study without wasting time trying to decide where, when and how. They also make learning easier and faster. Below are some good study habits learned over the years and proven to work. If you want to learn and learn easier, spend some time learning and practicing these rules and soon they will become habits. They are not automatic until they are practiced for a while.
Any list of "Good Study Habits" should include these seven:
Study every subject every day, even if it is just 5 minutes. This is over and above the homework assignment and even if you don't have any homework.
Have a set time to study every day. This way you do not have to decide when to study. Be flexible, but not too flexible.
Study the subjects in order, the hardest one first. This way you do the hardest work when you are freshest.
Have a set place to study, sitting up at a desk or table. It should be quiet and as free from distractions as possible.
Have all your tools before you begin. This means have the paper needed, pencils sharpened, pens and anything else needed to complete the work at hand. This avoids interruptions which tend to break your train of thought.
Set a time limit goal. If you don't, you could take too much time.
Take a short break every 30 to 40 minutes (short-5 minutes).
If you are too lazy to learn and practice the above, think about this. It is easier than what you are doing now! You will feel better about yourself too.
Mr. Gregory is the principal of Calvary Christian School in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Study Skills: The Key to Productive Learning
by Charles Walker
A study skill, by definition, is any study procedure that is used successfully to complete a learning assignment. In other words, it is an activity or technique that will help a student learn. The key phrase here is "will help a student learn." Study skills help students become independent learners; as independent, active learners they will learn more. It is important to your child's academic success that he learns study skills at each grade level, but it is equally as important that these skills be practiced until they become habits. Parents and students should view study skills as learning tools, not assignments, that will help students to learn more and to make better grades.
What are the major study skills? Students should be practicing or at least understand several major study skills by the time they enter high school. These should include following instructions, studying and taking exams, managing time, reading textbooks, writing, organizing a home study area, listening in class, participating in class discussions, taking notes, and using library resources. The fundamental reason for developing good study habits is for students to perform better on school work, thus heightening learning, test scores, and grades. Obviously, students are not expected to master all of these skills during their first years of school; however, as a child progresses through the elementary grades, his teachers will expect him to become progressively conscious of study skills each year as he assumes more responsibility for organizing and supervising his own learning. The school's final goal is to produce a self-motivated, self disciplined student who is equipped to learn and who has a desire to learn.
How to improve your child's study skills. Would you be willing to help your child improve his study skills if you knew how? Of course you would. First, talk with your child's teacher(s). Ask what study skills your child should know; ask if he is using these skills in his school studies. Second, volunteer to reinforce at home the study skills taught at school. Then communicate periodically with the teacher and compare notes. Next, purchase study skill activity books in the areas recommended by your child's teacher at your local school supply store.
Finally, help your child develop the basic study skills - organization, time management, and assuming personal responsibility.
1. Develop organizational skills. Emphasize to your child the learning benefits of being organized. As the Apostle Paul so aptly stated in I Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Organizational skills such as writing assignments in a notebook, taking notes in class, organizing a home study area, organizing a desk or locker, organizing a personal schedule, and avoiding last minute cramming for an exam should be encouraged. A quiet place for studying should always be available at home. Study aids such as reference materials, a dictionary, a desk, and general school supplies should also be accessible.
2. Develop time-management skills. As your child progresses through school, more activities and responsibilities will compete for his time. Since procrastination is one of the most common causes of time-mismanagement, help your child learn how to use his time wisely. Show him how to develop a written time schedule and how to break the big projects into smaller tasks, each task with a realistic deadline. A daily things-to-do list will also help your child manage his classroom assignments. These items should be ranked according to priority.
3. Accept personal responsibility for learning. Motivated children accept personal responsibility for learning, but unfortunately, many children are not self-motivated, and in some instances, are not easily motivated. Helping your child set academic and study goals is the first step in preparing him to accept personal responsibility. Hold your child accountable; assume personal supervision of his learning. For example, monitor his homework and test schedule, discuss his graded papers and tests, supervise homework assignments, and provide personal or tutorial help when it is needed, but do not do your child's work for him. Responsibility is a part of God's plan for your child, both now and in the future. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).
A teacher cannot make a student learn -- a student must first want to learn. Teachers can teach and strive to motivate children to learn, and in most instances succeed, but each child must determine for himself how much he wants to learn. The goal of every teacher is to see their students become immersed in the learning process. When a student refuses to accept personal responsibility for his learning and the home neglects to become involved in a child's learning experiences, academic achievements will be limited. And who is the loser when this happens? The student, of course. Help your child learn to develop organizational skills, to manage his time, and to accept personal responsibility for learning. Learning these three basic study skills will help your child take a giant step in reaching his Teaming potential. After all, that is why you Send him to school-to learn.
Dr. Charles Walker is the education Director of the American Association of Christian Schools.
