If you’re just getting into homeschooling, you may have seen many tips, tricks, and suggestions online. You might even have spoken to someone who’s been homeschooling for a while, to learn as much as you can from them. As the instructor, it’s a good idea to get as much information as you can from those who have already been there. But much on that same line of thinking, there are certain aspects students can learn from other students, where homeschooling is concerned.
What are some of the most preferred habits of successful students? What have students who have been homeschooled for a while learned about the process and the experience? Are there better ways to learn than others?
What Makes an Effective Student?
An effective student, rather than studying harder, studies smarter. As you advance your education, this becomes even truer. For relatively good grades, it’s usually sufficient to study a couple of hours per day when you’re in high school. But if you don’t know how to study smarter, to get all your college studying done, there won’t be enough hours in the day.
Good results are achieved by most successful students through the development and application of effective study habits. We spoke to a number of highly successful students and put together their 10 top study habits.
Regarding each study habit below, work to develop each one to become successful. Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. Your ability to assimilate and learn will improve as your knowledge increases and your grades go up.
When Are You Going to Study?
Decide when you’re going to study and make a plan. Try as much as you can to stick with your schedule.
Take More Than One Session to Learn
Rather than trying to stuff every bit of studying into one sitting, use short periods of time combined.
Creating a Goal
Have a specific goal in mind; know what you want to accomplish in a specified timeframe. Studying will be ineffective without direction.
Study Times
Try, at the same time every day, to study consistently. Set up a routine for yourself on a daily basis and try to stick to it. Study sessions will become more productive, and you’ll be ready for each one if you are emotionally and mentally prepared. Make studying part of your life.
If the assignment seems too hard, if you have other things you want to get done, or if you just don’t feel like you’re interested in the subject, it might be easy to put off your study session. This is commonly done and easy to do. But don’t! Study procrastination is not the mark of a successful student.
During class, make sure you take good notes. This is going to come in very handy when you review them before starting your next session. Reviewing will help assure your studying is effective and targeted and help you remember the important lessons of your last learning period.
Get Rid of Distractions
For some people, it might be too quiet to study. For others, there might be too much family noise, the TV is too loud, etc. Figure out what works best for you. With too much interference, you won’t be able to focus and you will lose your train of thought.
Weekends
Over the weekend, try to make time to review your schoolwork, notes, and other class materials. That way, when you start fresh on Monday morning, you won’t have completely forgotten everything you learned last week. Less time will be focused on restarting your memory, and more can be devoted to new learning.
Study Groups
Some people like to study in groups. They feel it helps them with the following factors:
- Helping themselves through the teaching of others
- More quickly completing assignments
- If they’re struggling with a concept, receiving assistance from others
Start Homeschooling with NFC Academy
When you’re ready for homeschooling, turn to NFC Academy. For grades K through 5, we provide book homeschool programs, and for grades 3 through 12, online homeschool programs.
Ready for an affordable solution to ensure your son or daughter gets a world-class education? If so, contact us. Please feel free to call us at (888) 960-4624 or fill out our convenient online form to request information.