For students to reach their full potential academically, having good study habits is essential.  Perhaps your child brings home below average grades, and you suspect their lack of efficient study habits may be to blame. Just like any other habit, the sooner you start learning and implementing them, the higher the chance they will stick with you. Lake Forrest Prep, a private school in Orlando, has compiled a list of tips that can help your child develop effective study habits for a successful academic career.

• Teach Your Child to Take Responsibility for Him or Herself: Start by helping your children realize they are in full control and solely responsible for their own results, whether it be success or failure. Discuss with him or her how to make the right choices in time management, resources, and other factors.
• Prioritize Tasks in Order of Importance and/or Due Date. Prioritizing is the key to getting work done in an efficient manner. Help your children be organized and focused on their tasks by first prioritizing their time. Allow them to have adequate time for school work and studying by preventing distractions.
• Help Your Child Learn When They Are Most Productive: This could be in the morning, or it could be at night. Each child succeeds with their own methods, and therefore, the time they best study may differ as well. Help them find a study time and place that is most beneficial for him or her to stay focused and productive.
• Teach Your Child About Outlining:  If children are able to outline, it can help with the memorization of facts. By writing out the outline, it helps children to better understand and remember what they have read. Have your child outline the key facts, details, and main ideas of each paragraph they read when studying. Writing good notes is an important skill to know, not just in school, but in our everyday lives.
• Establish a Schedule and Stick to It: Encourage your children to write in a weekly planner a set schedule. Trying to remember each month’s schedule, without physically writing it down, can prevent them from prioritizing tasks and cause them to not meet their goals.
• Encourage Breaks: For example, tell your child to read 3 chapters and then grab a snack. No matter what grade, everyone needs a break! Taking breaks can help reduce the amount of stress for children and can help them continue to stay alert and focused when they resume studying.

Here at Lake Forrest Prep, a private school in Orlando, we fully believe that each student will go above and beyond by being correctly guided. We understand the importance of developing effective study skills and will assist our students every step of the way. For even more tips on student success, please browse the Lake Forrest Blog.