*Great for homeschooling*
Whatever the reason, there's no need for them to despair. There are plenty of ways to get back on track. From tutoring services to goal setting, here are a few tips and tricks to help them stay motivated when studying:
- Find a tutor: Sometimes all it takes is a little extra help to get motivated. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, seek out a tutor who can help them understand the material and provide support.
- Set up a dedicated timeframe for work: Setting up a dedicated time every day for certain subjects or homework will make it become a healthy habit. They can start small, a little time goes a long way and it will be more sustainable when students first start building this habit.
- Create a study plan: Having a plan can help them stay focused and on track. Have them map out when and where they will study each day, and stick to the schedule as much as possible.
- Set goals: Have them write down what they hope to achieve by studying, and break goals into smaller more manageable steps. When they complete a task, have them check it off the list. This is great for creating a sense of accomplishment in your child. If you are lost as a parent teacher, tutor or tutoring services can help create an overall set list of goals that match the curriculum.
- Setting small goals for themselves. Rather than thinking about all the material they have to cover, have them focus on one section at a time. They will be surprised at how quickly they can make progress when breaking things down into manageable chunks. Example for students studying math. Math tutors will help divide up problems into small learning chunks that will be easier for the student to digest. Such as algebraic formulas.
- Take breaks: Is your student forcing too much studying into hours on end “cramming” without taking any breaks. Regular breaks for 10 minutes every 60 minutes can make studying much more effective. Examples are to stretch legs, grab a snack, or just take a few deep breaths. A little break can improve focus and concentration in the long run.
- Change up study spots: Variety is the spice of life, and it can also help break up the monotony of staring at the same four walls day in and day out. Effective studying should be done in different places - the library, a coffee shop, bedroom, etc. - to keep things interesting.
- Classmate participation: Bring classmates into the fold who are also taking the class. Also known as pod tutoring. Make it fun and rewarding by offering to buy them pizza or offer a slumber party for all of the hard work. Studying with others can help them stay on track and motivated. Plus, it's always more fun for them to study with friends!
- Get organized and declutter study space. A tidy environment can help improve focus and concentration.
- Make use of study aids: There are all sorts of helpful tools out there that can make studying more efficient and effective. Utilize flashcards, apps, websites and other resources to help them retain information and get the most out of their studies. Utilize items around the house too! These can be used to make real life connections to the work and make it more applicable for students.
- Reward them: Finally, remember to reward them for all your hard work! After completing a big assignment or study session, reward them and offer to do an activity they enjoy. This will help motivate them to keep going when things get tough. Adding small incentives will help motivate them to reach those goals. Reward the positive behavior rather than take away or punish the negative behavior.
Finally, have your child try to focus on the positive outcomes of their efforts. Keep in mind why they are studying in the first place and remind them of the progress they have already made. Tutoring such as online tutors, in-home tutors, and overall tutoring services can help bridge the gap for a lot of homeschool and charter school students. A web search for tutors near me or tutor in my area where you find a comprehensive list. By following these tips, they can keep motivation high and make studying less of a chore.
