Understanding the challenges
Before diving into strategies, it's crucial to understand the common challenges students face:
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Study Advice | Tips from Teachers
How to Get Your Students to Study | Parent Centre
By Laura Daly - 7 minute readGetting a teenager to study can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Developing effective study habits can make a huge difference in their performance during exam time. With the right approach and resources, you can help them develop a productive study routine. Here’s a guide to encourage effective studying, including tips for students with additional educational needs.
Lack of motivation
Many students struggle with finding the motivation to study, often because they don’t see the immediate benefits.
Distractions
The prevalence of social media, video games, and other distractions can make it difficult for students to focus.
Stress and anxiety
The pressure of exams can cause stress and anxiety, making it hard for students to concentrate.
Poor time management
Without proper planning, students may procrastinate or struggle to balance their studies with other activities.
Not knowing how to study
Students may have good intentions and spend time looking at their books or notes, but they might not have developed effective study skills.
Understanding the importance of a study routine
Creating a structured study routine is the foundation for academic success. Here are some tips to help establish a consistent study schedule:
Set specific goals
Help your student set clear, achievable goals for each study session. This could be finishing a chapter, solving a set of math problems, or writing an essay draft. Avoid vague goals such as "studying geography" and instead focus on topics within the course.
Create a study schedule
Work with your student to develop a daily and weekly study timetable. Allocate time for each subject, ensuring a balanced approach, and be sure to include breaks and leisure activities to prevent burnout. Breaking down study sessions into manageable chunks can make the task seem less daunting. Use tools like Google Calendar or physical planners to keep track.
Designate a study space
Ensure your student has a quiet, clutter-free area dedicated to studying. This can be a private space, such as their bedroom, but it does not necessarily have to be, sometimes time spent in bedrooms is idled away. What’s important is this space should be free from distractions and equipped with all they need to study well.
Minimise distractions
Encourage your student to keep their study area free from distractions such as mobile phones, social media, and television. Use apps like Forest or StayFocusd to help manage digital distractions.
Practical tips for effective studying
Active learning
When students engage in active learning techniques, they learn far more effectively. Active strategies include summarising information in their own words, teaching concepts to someone else, or creating mind maps. It is so important that students don’t simply read and reread textbooks or notes as this is passive learning and the information is less likely to stick.
Practice past papers
This is the most crucial tip for state examination success in all subjects. Regularly practising past exam papers helps familiarise students with the format and types of questions they will encounter. Time these practice sessions to simulate exam conditions.
There are different types of learners
How does your child prefer to learn new information? We all have preferences. Get your student to explore whether they are an aural, visual or kinesthetic learner. There are lots of tips online as to how each type of learner can maximise their learning ability.
Study in blocks with a definite finish time
Avoid the idea that the student will study 'on Saturday'. This will create a psychological barrier if the session feels endless and also will create no urgency to learn. Instead, for example, aim to do two hours in the morning and one in the evening, have specific topics to cover and take brief breaks every 30 minutes to move around. Finish at the designated time. This will make studying manageable and not feel overwhelming which is important for everyone’s wellbeing.
Use mnemonics
As basic as this sounds, it can be really helpful for some to utilise mnemonic devices, such as acronyms and rhymes, to help remember complex information. Encourage them to develop their own creative mnemonics.
Group study
Sometimes, studying with peers can be beneficial. Group study sessions allow students to discuss and clarify doubts, share resources, and motivate each other.
Healthy lifestyle
This is not a direct study tip but it is essential for sustained focus to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Avoid stimulant drinks at all costs.
Encouraging a growth mindset
A growth mindset - the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work - is crucial for academic success. Encourage your student to:
Embrace challenges
Teach them to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than obstacles.
Request formative feedback
Help the student to understand that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and an opportunity to improve. Formative feedback from teachers is the most crucial element in learning. Encourage your student to talk to their teachers about areas they can improve in their specific subject and then focus on this feedback in study sessions.
Persist
Reinforce the value of persistence and effort. Remind them that consistent effort over time leads to progress and success.
Supporting students with additional educational needs
For students with additional educational needs, tailored strategies can make a significant difference. Here’s how you can support them:
Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)
Work with your student’s teachers and school to develop and follow an IEP that outlines specific learning goals and accommodations. Find out educational strategies that have proved effective for students with similar needs to yours.
Assistive technology
Utilise assistive technology tools such as speech-to-text software, audiobooks, and specialised apps designed to support learning differences.
Break down tasks
Help break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach can make studying less overwhelming and more achievable.
Visual aids
Use visual aids like charts, diagrams, and colour-coded notes to help the student process and retain information. Visuals can be particularly effective for students with learning difficulties.
Positive reinforcement
Celebrate efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to study.
Flexible timetable
Adjust your student’s study schedule to accommodate their specific needs. Some students may benefit from shorter, more frequent study sessions rather than longer, less frequent ones.
Supporting a teenager through their Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams involves a combination of practical strategies, effective use of resources, and emotional encouragement. By establishing a structured study routine, seeking out formative feedback from subject teachers, and addressing the specific needs of students with additional educational needs, you can help your child develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
Remember, your involvement and support play a crucial role in their academic journey. Stay engaged, provide guidance, and celebrate their efforts, helping them build a strong foundation for their future endeavours.
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