How To Teach Study Skills To High School Students? Let’s Find Out!

Tips For Teaching Study Skills To High School Students

Teaching study skills to high school students is a challenge for many teachers.

It can be difficult because they are not used to learning in this way and it takes time with practice to teach them how to learn effectively.

However, if you know what the best ways of teaching these skills are then you will have an easier job than most other teachers!

Here we look at some tips on how to teach proper study skills guides to high schoolers:

Start with small steps 

If your student has never been taught any practice study skills meaningful before, start by introducing one or two new ones that he/she may already use.

This could include things like note taking, bookmarking websites etc.

You don’t need to introduce all of them right away but just get him/her started first so that when you do go into more detail about each skill there’s less chance of confusion.

Make sure you’re clear about expectations 

When teaching someone something new, make sure you explain exactly what you expect from them.

It might sound obvious but sometimes people forget to tell their students what they should be doing during lessons.

So, as soon as you’ve introduced a new technique ask your student whether they understand why you want them to practice it.

Also, make sure you give them enough effective time management to practise it properly.

Don’t rush through it too quickly otherwise, they won’t really grasp what you’re trying to achieve.

Be patient 

As mentioned above, it can take quite a while for students to become familiar with studying techniques.

However, once they do begin using them regularly, they’ll probably find themselves becoming much better learners overall.

That means that over time you shouldn’t need to spend as long explaining everything again.

Instead, focus on helping them develop good study habits which will help them throughout their studies.

Use real life examples

One thing that makes teaching basic study skill particularly tricky is that often times students aren’t actually aware of what they’re supposed to be doing.

They think that they’re being asked to memorize facts or figures without realizing that they’re also expected to apply those same study skills concepts to everyday situations.

By showing them how to solve problems in different scenarios, you can encourage them to see the benefits of applying knowledge outside of class.

Keep up-to-date yourself 

The last point relates back to the previous tip. In order to keep track of changes in technology, it helps to stay abreast of current trends.

There are lots of resources out there such as blogs, podcasts, and even YouTube videos that can provide useful information.

These days, everyone seems to be talking about gamification.

Gamifying certain aspects of individual learning style can help motivate students to engage with the material more actively.

Give feedback

Another important part of teaching study strategies involves giving constructive criticism where necessary.

For example, if your student isn’t making notes then this could indicate that s/he doesn’t have an understanding of the concept.

Or perhaps s/he hasn’t grasped the importance of keeping organized because s/he thinks that writing down every single fact would slow her/him down.

Whatever the case may be, try not to criticize unless absolutely necessary.

Instead, simply suggest ways in which she/he could improve his/her performance in school.

Encourage independence 

Finally, remember that no matter how well prepared you may feel, some things just don’t come naturally.

If your student struggles with learning opportunities anything at all, he/she needs encouragement rather than pressure. This way, s/he’s less likely to get discouraged by failing tests or exams.

On top of that, encouraging him/her to work independently will allow him/her to build confidence and self-esteem.

Ultimately, these factors will lead to improved academic results.

How can I improve my high school study skills?

I’m sure most people reading this article already know exactly what they should be doing when it comes to improving their study techniques skills but here goes anyway:

1) Make use of flashcards 

Quiz on flashcards especially spaced repetition software like Anki. It allows you to create custom decks of cards based around topics you want to cover.

You can set extra time management so that each card gets reviewed after x amount of minutes.

The best part is that you can add images to the front of the cards for extra visual reinforcement.

2) Use a notebook 

If you’ve ever tried using a pen and paper before, you’ll understand why notebooks are great tools for studying.

They make note taking easy and efficient. Plus, having everything written down means you won’t forget any details later on.

3) Take breaks 

When you first start studying, it might seem like you need to sit through hours upon hours of lectures without stopping.

However, studies show that taking regular breaks actually improves memory retention.

So take advantage of those 5-minute power naps!

4) Don’t cram 

Cramming is one of the worst habits you can develop while trying to memorize something new.

Instead, focus on building long-term memories by practicing concepts skills over time.

For instance, instead of spending 30 mins going over vocabulary words during lectures, spend 10 mins reviewing them once per week.

5) Keep a schedule

Having a routine helps keep you focused throughout the day.

Set aside specific helpful time management tool for different activities such as homework, revision etc.

Also, avoid procrastinating by setting up alarms on your phone to remind yourself about assignments due dates.

6) Get enough sleep 

Sleep deprivation has been shown to negatively affect cognitive function.

Try getting 8 hrs of uninterrupted restful sleep every night.

7) Eat healthy food

Eating junk foods makes us crave sugar even more. In turn, we tend to eat too much and end up gaining weight.

On the other hand, eating nutritious meals keeps our brains sharp and energized.

8) Exercise regularly 

Studies have found that exercise boosts brainpower. Not only does physical activity increase blood flow to the brain, it also increases levels of neurotransmitters.

These help boost moods and concentration.

9) Stay organized

Organizing materials into folders and filing papers away neatly ensures that you’re able to find things easily.

This not only saves time in the future, but it’s also good for mental health since it reduces stress management.

10) Be patient with yourself

Remember that the independent learning process takes practice.

Even if you feel like you’re making progress, don’t get discouraged or give up just because you aren’t seeing immediate improvements yet.

Stick at it until you do see improvement.

Conclusion

The best way to teach study skills to high school student is to make sure they know how to set and accomplish realistic and challenging individual goals and maintain a positive and effective attitude.

It’s important to remember that there will be setbacks along the way, but persistence pays off when you stick to what works.