As we move further into the year, our young people are likely to spend more time at home working on assessment tasks and studying to best prepare themselves for success at school. In addition, several of our young people are working on things like resumes, cover letters, applications for further study and scholarships, or aptitude tests for potential employment after finishing school. For many of us, having a designated room in the home—like a study or home office—is not feasible for a variety of reasons. Additionally, maintaining concentration on the subject matter can be challenging if we haven’t developed our own study strategies. Developing the right environment and habits with your young person can be beneficial. 

Things parents and guardians can do to support: 

• Encourage your young person to study earlier rather than later, and try to schedule this time in advance so they can work around things like chores and part-time jobs.
• Help find a space where your young person can have some privacy—this might be in their bedroom, at the dining table when it's not in use, or even outside at your outdoor setting.
• Avoid studying in bed—our brains generally associate beds with sleep, which can negatively affect focus and energy levels.
• Music can sometimes help with concentration, but encourage your young person to consider the volume and whether the device needs to be right next to them.
• Similarly, background TV noise might assist with focus for some, but if it's being used, it’s better to play something already watched, rather than a new movie or episode of a series.
• Phones can be a major distraction, so consider keeping them in another room or on flight mode if they're only being used for music.
• If your young person has a dedicated study space, encourage them to keep it tidy and organised before starting work.
• Studying doesn’t have to happen only before an assignment is due or an exam is approaching. It can include reviewing class notes, watching educational videos, or independently researching class topics. Encouraging your young person to study consistently will help build positive habits and behaviours, such as persistence and focus.
• Encourage your young person to talk to you about what they learned in each lesson and what they have coming up.
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One size does not fit all when it comes to studying, so young people need to develop an understanding of what works best for them. This may take time, so the more encouragement and consistency they receive, the more likely they are to develop successful habits.

Garrett McKenzie

Guidance Officer - Yrs 10, 11 & 12