Study skills facts for kids

Study skills are like special tools and tricks that help you learn better and remember more. They are super important for doing well in school, especially as you get older and go to college or other advanced studies. These skills include many different ways to get and keep information in your brain. Some even help you figure out what you need to work on most!

A student studies for exams using a special method.

Smart Ways to Learn

Manage Your Time Well

Time management is a super important skill. Teachers have noticed that students who are good at managing their time often get better grades. The better you use your time, the higher your grade point average (GPA) usually is. Many students find that when they look closely at how they spend their time, a lot of it is wasted! Learning to plan your study time can make a big difference.

Use Memory Tricks (Mnemonics)

Mnemonics are special tricks that help you remember lists or steps in a certain order. A famous example is the name Roy G. Biv. It's an acronym for the colors of the rainbow in the right order: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Mnemonics can also be rhymes, phrases, poems, or even linking pictures to information. It's best to use mnemonics for specific things, as they have some limits.

Try the SQ3R Method

The SQ3R Method is a helpful way to read and understand textbooks. SQ3R stands for:

• Survey: Quickly look over the reading material. Don't read every word, just get a general idea of what it's about. Look at headings, pictures, and summaries.
• Question: Turn the headings into questions. For example, if a heading is "Types of Rocks," ask yourself, "What are the different types of rocks?"
• Read: Read the material carefully to find the answers to your questions.
• Recite: After reading a section, say out loud what you've learned in your own words. This helps you remember it better than just reading.
• Review: Go back over the information a few hours or days later. This keeps it fresh in your mind and helps you remember it for longer.

Skimming and Scanning

• Skimming is a technique to get the main ideas from something quickly. You look at chapter headings, bullet lists of key points, and important words. The first sentence of a chapter often gives you a quick summary.
• Scanning means moving your eyes (or finger) down the page to find specific information. The goal is to quickly find what you are looking for, like a name, date, or fact.

Study with Friends (Study Groups)

Many schools encourage students to form study groups. In a study group, you can divide tasks, and each person can focus on one part of the material. When you teach or share what you know with others, you learn more yourself! Study groups use "active learning," which is a very effective way to learn.

Take Good Notes

The note-taking skills you learn in middle school might not be enough for college. In college, good note-taking involves critical thinking. Teachers often talk quickly. Don't try to write down everything. Instead, try to figure out what the main points are. It's also important to develop good listening skills.

Here are some key skills for taking good notes:

• Pre-read the materials before class. This helps you understand the lesson better.
• Review your notes from the previous class.
• Have everything you need ready, like pens, pencils, notebooks, and textbooks.

See also

In Spanish: T%C3%A9cnicas de estudio para ni%C3%B1os