Tips for helping teenagers to study

[ACatCalledPuss]

Just had 2 weeks in a row with disappointing exam results (GCSEs and AS levels). Not terrible but neither dc did as well as they could have, basically because they put very little effort in. Obviously at the minute they are disappointed and promising to put more work in next year but I honestly think they don't know how to study. Or maybe they just find it really hard to focus. I want to help them do better and wonder if anyone has any tips for helping kids to reach their potential. Basically willing to try anything at this point.

They might need to break down where it's hard.

Are they struggling to understand or remember the information?

Is it their exam technique that is letting them down?

Past papers are great for practising exam technique and revealing any gaps in knowledge.

BBC Bitesize offers quizzes and videos for exam curricula.

My son was on track to fail Nat 5 maths (GCSE equivalent) but he passed because he found a guy on you tube teaching the whole curriculum. He watched the whole thing twice - once for comprehension, second for notes.

It's also a good idea to encourage them to reinforce their learning throughout the year. Ask them to summarise what they learned in class that day or jot they key points in a mind map.

I hope you don't mind me following as the same issues.
Although I think phone time is a problem for us.

Remove their fucking phones for studying.

Make sure they have a quiet, work focused area, like a shared study, it deskm in their room. Timetable regular study time. Like, it's 5:30-7 before dinner or whatever.

Get them to study at the school if possible. Get them to ask their school librarian for advice. Have them have study buddies or a small group of friends that are keen to help each other.

Do they know how to revise? Schools don’t always teach this. Look at a website or buy a Good Study Guide. Revision has to be active- making notes and testing yourself. Also, break down study times - 40 mins, 10 mins off. Revision guides can help too. DS achieved an A in Chemistry GCSE and said he did it all from a Revision Guide as teacher was useless. Think about exam technique too. Timing is important as well as selecting the best questions to answer. As a teacher I improved the grades overall in my subject by telling the students to answer the last question (and the hardest) on the paper first while they were still fresh.

Thanks everyone, some really helpful tips which I will few definitely implement at the start of the new term.