Top Tips for Teens - How to Study Successful for Exams

Studying is a skill and an important one for pupils to learn as they move through secondary school.  Not everyone learns in the same way and it is the same for studying.  However, there are some general rules that everyone can follow and adapt to suit them.  So here are My Secondary Tutor top tips for teens to study successfully!

1. Create a Daily Routine

Routine is really important.  When pupils start study leave, it can be difficult to maintain a routine as they are no longer required to be in school and arrive to start their day at a particular time. The first step in successful studying is to create a routine and plan for studying and try to stick to it.  Most pupils are used to following a timetable, which can be different each day so their study routine doesn't have to be the same each day.  In fact, having a slightly varied routine might help pupils to stick to it but one thing that should be part of each day, is a dedicated study time.

2.  Organise Your Study Space

Just like setting a routine, it may suit some pupils to stick to the same thing every day and that might include where they study.  For other children, they might work best when they can study in different spaces.  One thing that is important is that they have all the resources they need and have the space to work effectively.  Quietly listening to music might help some pupils to feel more comfortable in their study space while others may need a space with no distractions.  

3.  Take Regular Breaks

It is important for pupils to build in regular breaks while they are studying.  Breaks help to give your brain a much-needed rest between studying.  Whether it's taking time to make a snack or drink or going for a short walk, taking a break will help your child return to studying feeling energised and ready to focus back on work.

4.  Making Study Notes

Whether that is flashcards, mind-mapping or just writing in paragraphs, writing notes is important and helps your child to organise their thoughts and ideas.  Note taking can help to reinforce important points and ensures that your child is focused on the important parts of their learning.

5.  Keep Healthy

It is important for us all to live a healthy lifestyle.  Your child's studying will benefit greatly from eating well, exercising well and sleeping well.  Many children may use devices to help with study and so having time away from technology can be beneficial.  Meeting up with friends and having some time to socialise with others is also important for positive mental health.

6.  Use Practise Paper Questions

Working through past paper questions can really help your child to figure out what they already know and what they still need to work on.  By checking their knowledge and understanding along the way they can see how their revision is helping them to feel more confident and ready for the exam. You can find lots of past paper questions for free online.  

7.  Be Ready for Exam Day

While it is really important to study hard for your exams, many pupils forget to make sure they are prepared for the day itself.  Make sure your child is clear on what they are allowed to take into the exam and what is not permitted.  Ensure they prepare everything they need at least the day before so that they can wake up and feel confident and ready for the tasks ahead.

We hope our top tips for successful studying help your teen to plan and study well.  If during studying your child starts to panic or feels they don't understand some elements of their coursework, then you might be ready to seek outside help.  My Secondary Tutor provides support to pupils and adults working towards Nationals, GCSE's, Highers and A-levels.  Our fully qualified and fully checked secondary tutors are ready to provide support through our interactive and engaging online sessions.  Get in touch today to find out more and ensure your child is ready to sit their exams with confidence.