Grades Matter-Learn HOW to Study
One of my clients made an offhand remark the other day- “I’m not sure if my student knows HOW to study.” Wow. First, very glad you noticed. But then what? Well, just like when you are not feeling well and go to a doctor, the first thing they do is ask you about your symptoms.
So, let’s start there. What are some likely symptoms? Poor grades. No effort at studying. Studying with social media engaged simultaneously. Above-average avoidance of studying. No notetaking skills. Last-minute every time, all the time. Disinterest. Overscheduled to avoid studying. And, maybe just a poor grasp on the skill. And yes, it is a skill. It can be taught and will make your student’s life better and easier!
Sound familiar? Then it is time to address it. Taking good notes AND exercising the right study skills can actually reduce the amount of preparation for tests while raising their grades. Who wouldn’t want that!
Here are my thoughts on the core issues:
Importance of Education Sadly, we often give lip service to this tenet. We say education is important, but do we act on it? Parents, do you provide a quiet place for your student to study? Do you tie extra-curricular activities to their academic achievement? As in, if you want to play on the (fill in the blank) you have to keep up your grade point average? Why not? IF education is important, then other things have to line up behind it.
Parents- The first year of High School is formational. In fact, many high schools isolate their 9th-grade students from the rest of the campus to eliminate distractions and bullying. You need to get a sense of what your student should be able to achieve with a solid effort. Then, ask for a bit more.
Be a “Show-Me” Parent- Yep. Check on things before they can impact their grade point average. Tell them you want to see their first test results and their notebook for each class by the end of September. Compare the two. If the notebook is empty, then the test may not look so hot. Maybe he/she needs to get some training for THEIR style of learning. Early, positive intervention could turn things around. If they bomb ttheir their first year of high school, it is almost impossible to dig their way out to a great grade point average by graduation. Email your student’s teachers and ask for their observations about your student’s work in class. The teachers will tell you the truth.
Get them Help- Unless you were a great student with a stellar studying process AND you have a “mini-me” for a student, consider investing in study coaching. My daughter made good grades in Middle School, so I was surprised one day when she said she wasn’t able to keep up with her reading assignments. It turned out she firmly believed she had to read every word on the page. An elementary teacher had said this and it was gospel. Nothing I said could dissuade her. Time for outside help.
I enrolled her in a Speed Reading Course offered at a local college over the summer. I had to beg the instructor to take her by sharing her story. My daughter wasn’t very happy, but by the end, she was able to read for content and context, not word for word. I believe she did well in high school because she gained the right skills to handle the extra reading.
There are lots of great tips and training online, and much of it is free. If money is an issue, start with good articles on what to do. Get your student on board. Grades matter in admissions and in scholarships. Make sure your student’s grades are reflective of their knowledge and effort. Don’t let something fixable keep them from earning the grades they want and need.
A new trend is gaining steam and momentum in Admissions. Don’t miss next week’s analysis of the Test-Optional admissions challenge!
Until Next Time,
All My Best,
Bonnie Burkett
