Study Habits

How do kids or teens become more organized and manage their time more wisely?

Create a positive attitude towards your schoolwork.
Set up a weekly study and playtime or social schedule and stick with it.
Make sure you have time to do your homework, but also have some free time to do what you want to do.
Organize your schoolwork before you come home. Make sure all assignments are written down in an assignment notebook and all assignments are in your backpack.
When you get home, organize your homework by doing the harder assignments first, while they are still fresh in your mind and easier to understand. Leave the easy assignments for the end, so you don’t get so frustrated.
Don’t make homework a last minute thought! Do your homework when you get home from school. You will then have the rest of the evening to spend with friends and family. Waiting till later to do homework can lead to being tired and frustrated.

How do kids or teens stay focused while doing homework

Study in a quiet place with no distractions (No T.V., music, or computer games)
Study in a place where there is either plenty of natural sunlight or good lighting.
Study at a desk or table. Sitting on a bed or couch can get too comfortable and can lead to daydreaming and other distractions.
Study in a place where all your school supplies are near at hand, so you don’t have to keep getting up and interrupting your homework.
Study only one subject at a time, so there is less confusion. If you find yourself getting confused or frustrated, take a five-minute break and clear your thoughts so you can concentrate more easily.

Suggested Readings For Parents and Children:

How To Help Your Child With Homework (Book for Parents and Kids)
How To Do Homework Without Throwing Up (Book for Kids)
True Or False? Tests Stink! (Book for Kids)
Get Organized Without Losing It (Book for Kids and Teens)
See You Later Procrastinator (Book for Kids and Teens)
Test Taking Strategies and Study Skills For the Utterly Confused (Book for Kids and Teens)