Dear Dr. Linda,
We have a daughter in middle school and a son in high school. Both are “C” students. They complete their homework but can’t seem to score higher than C’s on their tests. We realize they need to learn how to study effectively to improve their test performance. This concerns us, as we never learned proper study skills ourselves and struggled with tests throughout school and college. Do you have any advice?
Joe and Ali
Dear Joe and Ali,
You’re absolutely right! While teachers can present information, students who lack effective study skills often struggle to truly learn and retain what is taught. Here’s an example:
“Did you study?” asked the teacher.
“Yes,” said Tom. “For two hours.”
“Then how could you fail this test? It came right from your notes.”
Poor Tom is being accused of something he’s not guilty of. Yes, he did study, or at least thought he did. So, why did he fail?
Tom failed because he didn’t know how to study or what study skills actually are—nor did his teacher or his parents. To make matters worse, when Tom gets home from school and shows his parents his failing grade, they say, “You didn’t study enough. That’s it. No more phone, TV, computer. You failed because you didn’t study!”
Kids’ grades can’t improve if they have no idea how to study. Many students believe that simply reading their notes repeatedly will help them remember the material for a test the next day. Unfortunately, this approach rarely works. By the time they take the test, much of the information is forgotten. As a result, they may panic when reading the questions and perform poorly.
The term “study skills” refers to strategies used to focus on and learn information effectively. To truly master material and achieve higher grades, students need to move information from their attentional memory to short-term and, ultimately, long-term memory. This requires not just memory techniques, but also strong work habits—such as effective time management, good organizational skills, thorough understanding of the material, and consistent practice.
Study skills aren’t innate—they must be learned and practiced, and they can differ from student to student. Some learners benefit most from visual aids, while others retain information better by listening in class. Developing strong study skills takes time, effort, and maturity.
Elementary and many middle school students may not yet have the cognitive skills to organize, break down, and create systems to help them study for upcoming tests. Many teachers’ structure material into manageable pieces and use multisensory approaches, but not all do. In those cases, parents may need to help their children develop study skills. Once a student discovers which methods work best for them, studying becomes more efficient and grades can improve.
Dr. Linda
P.S. If your child is struggling in school, reach out with your questions or contact Dr. Linda for a 15-minute free consultation at Linda@stronglearning.com.
Discover more ways to enhance your memory at any age by visiting StrongLearning.com. Download Study Skills Series IV—to help students and learners of all ages become more organized, confident, and independent—or read Chapter 11 in my book, Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades: What Parents Need to Know and Do, available on Amazon.
