Kid’s Corner

FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES

STUDY HABITS FOR KIDS

WRITTEN BY MAGGIE O’BRIEN

The third quarter of the year is also known as the time that grades tank. You could have a “B” in math, and by the end of the quarter you could end up getting a “D”. Some ways to help your kid keep up a good grade is to not procrastinate on homework and projects, study for tests gradually, use different techniques, and use the “DETER” strategy for tests. These are some ways to improve your grade during the school year.

The first technique is to work on your homework and projects as soon as possible. Don’t let your child avoid doing their work or else it may never get done. It feels a lot better to get it done earlier and have a fun, less stressful evening where you don’t have to worry about that upcoming project that is due.

The second style is to study for a test over time. As soon as your teacher gives you the notice of an approaching exam, review each lesson. Don’t cram all of the stuff you learned the night before the test. It becomes easy to forget things due to your brain being overwhelmed. Slowly reviewing it lets your brain process each thing after a good night’s sleep. For example, if you have an upcoming exam on Friday, you would review lesson one on Monday, two on Tuesday, three on Wednesday, and the entire unit on Thursday. This will lead to a higher test score.

Along with reviewing over time, you will need some good studying techniques. Some easy ways are flashcards, visualization, acronyms, studying on the go, and study before you sleep. Flashcards are pretty simple to understand, just write the word, name, place, or term on one side of a card, then write the definition on the back. Quiz yourself, you can either do definition first or the term. Visualization is good for some learn

ers. Draw a picture or visualize something that helps you remember what you need to learn. Acronyms help you to remember lessons in funny ways. PEMDAS is an example of this. PEMDAS is something to use in math when you have a long equation. It helps you to remember the order in which to solve the problem. The order is parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition and then subtraction, also known as PEMDAS. When you study on the go you can review things anywhere you are. Finally, when you study right before you sleep your brain will commit it to memory while you sleep.

Last, but not least, the “DETER” strategy. It is the most efficient way of taking a test. First is “D”, it stands for directions. Read each test direction very carefully before you start taking the test. Next is “E” for examine. Examine the entire test to see how much you have to do. Then is “T” for time. Once you have examined the test, estimate how much time you spend on each question. The second “E” is for easiest. Answer all the easiest items first. Don’t take too much time on just one problem. Finally, “R” for review. With spare time, review all your answers. That is the “DETER” strategy for tests.

Now that you have learned the best strategies for studying and school, you can put it to use. Remember, don’t procrastinate on homework and projects, study for tests gradually, use different techniques, and use the “DETER” strategy for tests. If you work hard, you will get a good grade and the world of jobs will open up to you.