Better Study Skills
SuperCamp's academic summer camps provide students with better study skills throughout our 7-day learning and life skills programs for 6th-8th graders and 10-day programs for 9th-12th graders. Over 56,000 students have attended SuperCamp since launching in 1982 and benefitted from the study tips, test-taking advice and memory techniques they learn.
Better Study Habits
Here are four study tips for your kids that will them develop better study habits and learn how to study more effectively and efficiently. At SuperCamp, our philosophy is that it's not about studying longer it's about studying smarter.
1. Establish a defined study area
The most important factor in selecting a student's study area is that it is quiet and away from distractions. It can be the student's bedroom, a spare room, a den, a loft, or a bonus room in the basement or over the garage. Also, try to pull together a combination of furniture that fits his or her style. Lighting is also important. The space should be well lit without hurting the eyes.
2. Create affirmation signs for the home study area
Positive signs have the ability to remind a student's subconscious mind of his or her potential to learn. You and your kids can make some signs that contain affirmations such as thoselisted below. When you make the signs, use lots of color (our brains love color!).
- EVERYONE HAS THE RESOURCES TO BE SUCCESSFUL
- I BELIEVE IN MYSELF
- EVERYTHING I DO DESERVES MY BEST EFFORT
- EVERY CHALLENGE OFFERS A GIFT
- I AM UNIQUE AND VALUABLE
- I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT I CREATE
- I CAN LEARN THIS!
- LEARNING IS FUN AND NATURAL!
3. Provide the proper study tools
Stocking the study environment with reference books, writing materials, text books, and notes ensures maximum learning. Make this a project with your kids - get their ideas on what will work for them and help them create it. Some other ideas include adding a bulletin board where visual aids such as charts, lists, or pictures can go, putting up a book shelf to promote better organization, and using a daily planner (while there are online options, the physical presence of a planner open to the current day or week is a good reminder of the immediate priorities).
Of course, if the student has access to a computer at home for research when studying, it would be best if it can be located in the study area, rather than an open, noisy part of the house that contains distractions.
4. Add some music to the mix
Some classical music is "brain friendly" and enhances the study environment. Baroque music helps students to focus and to access their most resourceful learning state. The music optimizes the functions of the brain that store and retrieve information. Many (most?!) children will think that their own music is best, but try to convince them to try Baroque - they may well notice that it makes their study time easier, and want more! By the way, it works for working as well as for learning! Try some of the following:
- Bach
- Handel
- Pachelbel
- Vivaldi
In summary, a more positive study environment translates into better study habits.
Beyond Better Study Skills
Better study skills actually begin in the classroom. At SuperCamp, we teach campers how to take and make better notes to help them with their study skills.
"Notes:TM" is a note-taking strategy taught at SuperCamp that employs a whole-brain approach, sparks creativity and reduces study time. Simply put, it involves taking notes (capturing the important information provided by the teacher) and, at the same time, making notes (recording thoughts, feelings, questions that the student has pertaining to the teacher's information).
To implement this technique, it's as simple as putting a line down each sheet of paper that divides the page into two-thirds for taking notes and one-third for making notes. The student takes notes on the left portion of the page and as thoughts and questions occur, he or she can make those notes in the corresponding area on the right side of the page. When it comes time to study using these notes, the student not only has the facts available, but also the other notes he or she made in class that will help trigger other information stored in the brain and could provide subject matter for test essay answers.
At SuperCamp, we cover a full range of learning skills, including better study skills, better study habits, innovative homework and study tips, note-taking skills, test-taking skills, how to identify and use your optimal learning style, reading comprehension, reading speed, creative writing, math mastery, SAT/ACT prep and so much more.
Give your son or daughter the gift of new learning skills that will help them immediately and last a lifetime. Give us a call today and talk to one of our customer service and enrollment specialists at 800-285-3276.
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Daniel, SuperCamp grad parent
"In just two weeks SuperCamp accomplished what I've been trying (to accomplish) for 16 years. My son, who was reluctant to go, now says it was the best 10 days of his life."
Linda, SuperCamp grad
"This is an investment in your child's future. You will ask yourself, 'Why didn't I do this sooner?'."
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