It’s not uncommon for kids to lose steam in the 4th quarter. The problem is that end-of-the-year grades count just as much as grades in the first three grading periods. So, how can you keep your child focused to ensure he or she finishes the year strong?
Here are a few study skills our tutors and executive function coaches often share with our students to help them stay focused and make their 4th-quarter report card the best it can be.
1. Use Study Guides…the Right Way
Outside of taking notes on important concepts when reviewing for an upcoming test, good students will use a study guide, whether they’ve created one or their teacher has provided one. Here’s how to go about both options:
Self-created study guides: 
Research shows that creating your own study guide is one of the best ways to improve test grades. Try to predict what your teacher may have on the exam. Pull out old quizzes, find important parts of your notes, and ask others in your class what they think is important. Find the main ideas from these topics and turn them into questions. If you have a textbook, turn the chapter headings into questions and write them down. For example, “Election of 1860: Democrats Split” should be “Why did the democrats split in the election of 1860?”
Creating a study guide helps students identify what they already know, allowing them to refocus their time on what they still need to learn. Knowing what you don’t know cuts down on time spent reviewing what you’ve already committed to memory.
Teacher-provided study guides:
The biggest mistake students make when they’re given a blank study guide is to complete it with their teacher or independently, then read it many times to study. Again, rereading is passive learning, and it will not stick for long-term retention.
Instead, before you complete the study guide, make two additional copies of it.
Without looking at the completed version or your notes, fill out what you know. Now, look back at your book or notes to finish the rest. The third time, complete it from memory, or better yet, so you’re not memorizing the order of the questions, cut them into strips and rearrange them. Now, complete it a third time on your own for maximum retention.
2. Distribute Your Practice
Procrastination is one of the greatest hurdles to studying. So often, students believe that cramming before a test will have the same result as studying over time. The truth is, this method only yields superficial knowledge of the material. To have a deeper understanding and to recall the information not just the next day, but the next month, take advantage of a concept called “distributed practice.”
“Distributed practice” involves spreading out study sessions over time and breaking up the material into smaller chunks. By setting aside time each day to review a portion of the material, you can retain the information for longer periods.
For example, instead of studying for an hour on Thursday night for a test, you’ll likely get a better exam grade by studying 20 minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
3. Study Before Homework
It’s not uncommon for students to put off studying because it’s not really a task they have to do. It’s not graded, and there’s usually nothing to turn in to the teacher. Homework is different because there’s more immediate accountability (i.e., it’s checked for completion by the teacher, or they have to turn it in for a grade). So, it’s easy to see why studying is put off until after homework is done or not even attempted at all.
An easy fix for this all-too-common situation is to set a 20-minute timer and study before starting any homework. Simply reversing the order of tasks ensures that studying is at least started, and often completed, prior to digging into the actual homework.
4. Make Yourself Accountable
Many who struggle with motivation have found that having an “appointment” to study with their peers via FaceTime can provide much-needed accountability.
I remember one time walking past my son’s room when he was in high school because I heard a voice other than his. He and a friend from his history class were quizzing each other for an upcoming test. I heard questions like, “Do you think she’s going to ask about the causes of the revolution on the test? How did you create your Venn diagram showing cause and effect? This is how I did mine (holding up paper).”
Whether students study with one another online or in person, having a scheduled time to connect with someone else provides accountability they don’t get from studying alone.
5. Get Focused with Time Tracking Apps
There are lots of great website blockers and productivity apps to help kids avoid digital distractions while studying.
I’ve been recommending the Forest app for years because it’s gamified and kids (and adults) love it!
Here’s how it works: when you want to concentrate, you can plant a seed in Forest. Over the next half hour, this small seed will grow into a large tree; however, if you can’t resist the temptation to watch a YouTube video or play a game on your phone, your lovely little tree will wither away. Every day, you’ll tend to a forest filled with trees (hopefully not too many withered branches). Each tree represents 30 minutes you have spent focused on homework rather than playing on your phone. It’s a novel way to help kids beat phone addiction, which is often a real problem for those with ADHD.
Ready to Help Your Child Finish the Year Strong?
Don’t let the 4th quarter slump hold your child back. Our expert tutors and executive function coaches can work one-on-one with your child virtually to put these proven study strategies into practice, building the habits and confidence they need to finish this year strong and set themselves up for success in the next. Schedule a free consultation call today to find the right tutor or coach for your child.