A number of parents have posed questions: "How much homework should he be doing?" and "We have no WiFi at present so can he still do his homework?" also "How do the boys study?" Please find below some information on these questions and the following information from various sources about study.

Homework is raised regularly with me.  On average a student should be doing 40 - 60 minutes homework a night.  I have sent previous information on what your son can be doing, even when he has that stock standard answer "haven't got any" as he races out the door.  There is always homework, ReadTheory, MathsBuddy, are two things always there to practice and also going over the days' lessons to consolidate learning.  

Another query I have been receiving is "when we don't have wifi can't do his homework".  BUZZ  trust me he can.   OneNote does work offline, it would only be if the task required him to onto the internet to get information would he not be able to do his homework.  Otherwise, whatever he does 'offline' will sync once he enters the world of WiFi.  

To study well you will need to experiment a little with what works best for you. Below are a number of links, websites and ideas that may help you and your son, have a skim and scan it will only take a few minutes, then go back for a more detailed look at what looked interesting. The holidays may be a good time to look at space and timetables for next term.  

One of the first things to do is work out how you learn: Check out the link: http://www.whatismylearningstyle.com/index.html

It can really help us if we understand HOW we learn information effectively. Once you have identified your unique style search the site and find lots of study tips and techniques that can help you set up an effective study programme. Within this website are lots of resources – flashcards, mindmaps etc that will help you!

Now you have identified how you learn and perhaps find some ideas on what would work for you, it is time to give them a go… but first, there are some basics to sort out:

1. Sort out a study area… this is really important

Organise an area where you can study that is quiet, distraction free, comfy chair, has good light and heating. Remember to never study in your bed, in front of TV or PlayStation! Set yourself up for the next five years NOW with a super study area.

2. Do I have everything I need?

Are my notes up to date, my workbooks tidy and well organised? Perhaps I need to ask a friend if I can borrow their book and photocopy work that I missed, didn’t really give my best shot at the time. Pens/pencils/paper/tape… what else? Card for flashcards… a big water bottle, snack attack food.

3. A Timetable

You can find templates online.

Then Some Quick Study Tips to Try...

1. Speak Out Loud Instead of Simply Reading

Although this may make you look a little crazy, give it a go! You will be surprised how much more you can remember when you’ve said it out loud. Warning: Don’t try this in a crowded library!

2. Reward Yourself with a Treat

There are many ways to integrate a small reward system into your study habits. Here’s a simple way to motivate yourself to study with Gummy Bears:

3. Teach What You Have Learned

The best way to test if you really understand something is to try to teach it to someone else. If you can’t get anyone to listen to you explain the Pythagorean Theorem, why not teach a class of stuffed animals! Not as silly as it sounds my cat knows a lot about Educational Psychology.

4. Create Mental Associations

The ability to make connections is not only an easier way to remember information, but it’s the fuel of creativity and intelligence. Steve Jobs famously said “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something”.

Mind Maps are an easy way to connect ideas by creating a visual overview of different connections. Read more about the benefits of using Mind Maps to learn here.

5. Draw Diagrams

Drawing diagrams will help you to visualise information which would be hard to describe. This creates a visual memory in your mind which can be recalled in an exam. You will probably be asked to label diagrams such as the human heart in your Science exam so get practising drawing as you will retain more information if you create diagrams and label them rather than use a photocopied diagram!

6. Times New Roman is the Fastest Font to Read

Simply put – there’s a reason why Times New Roman is the default font on most applications!

7. Copy and Paste into Google Translate

Type up notes and copy and paste them into Google Translate so you can listen to them! A great tip for essay writing as you listen you will hear your mistakes! Trust me my Year 13’s think this is great and it has improved their essay writing.

8. Use Apps to Block Distracting Sites or TURN IT OFF

The SelfControl app helps you to avoid distractions by blocking websites for a certain amount of time.

9. Watch a Documentary on the Topic

Documentaries are an entertaining way of compacting an entire story into a short timeframe. This will help you remember key details from a story plus you may even get extra credit for mentioning that you took the initiative and watched a film about the topic!

10. Create Flashcards for Quick Memory Buzz

Quickly test your knowledge of key concepts, definitions, quotes and formulas with flashcards. Sign up to GoConqr now to create your first Flashcard deck like the one below now!

11. Take Regular Study Breaks

When your brain is working, you need to take regular study breaks to help your brain absorb more information but also to keep you motivated and focused when you are working. Take a short break after 30-45 minutes study as your focus and concentration will become impaired after this period, anything new after 1 hour 30 minutes does not get assimilated. On your break get up and MOVE, jump on the tramp, go for a quick skate. Also, drink plenty of water and have a snack.

12. Listen to the Correct Type of Music

In our blog post “Music for Studying: 10 Tips to Pick the Best Study Music” we looked into the area of how the correct types of music can lead to more productive studying by elevating your mood.

13. Practice, Practice, Practice…

Practising sample answers to past exam questions can help train your brain to retrieve information. Create realistic, exam-like conditions and test your understanding. You could use unit tests for subjects such as Science, Maths and Social Studies. For English practice your essay writing in response to the texts you have studied in class this year.

Also, check out https://www.khanacademy.org/ for Maths and Science help – this is the best study site for these subjects and will rescue you many times over the next five years! There is also maths buddy, https://www.mathsbuddy.co.nz/ that some of you will already by using and mathletics http://nz.mathletics.com/

http://www.readtheory.org/ will help with your reading overall and build your understanding of different text types, inferences and comprehension. Once you set yourself up you will do a short pre-test and the programme will place you at the correct level for YOU. Use the programme nightly and complete one or two readings – 15/20 minutes – you can track your results and progress as you go.