Studying Habits Parents Should Instill in Their Kids Before College

Although college marks a new beginning fraught with mixed feelings for teenagers, it's likewise an emotional period for parents. Such was the experience of Ken Mohammad, a dad who couldn't hold off shedding tears when he dropped off his son, Nasir, at Valdo State University. As expected of any parent, Ken told his son to make good decisions now that he was in college and to call if he ever needed any help.

That experience is only normal since, before entering college, kids will likely navigate through a new set of struggles. The most pressing of these concerns, as revealed by a recent YouScience National Survey, is that 41% of teenagers feel unprepared to declare a college major after graduation. Interestingly, 57% of graduates report that their family had the greatest impact on their college decision-making. This underscores how parents don't only play a vital role in ensuring that their children will feel confident in their respective educational decisions. They're likewise tasked to provide support that can bolster their child's success in college.

One way parents can do this is by instilling essential study habits that can allow their child to cope with-and excel at-academic requirements. Below are four that your kid should adopt before college.

Managing time wisely

Amidst attending classes and reviewing for important tests, college can be a stressful time for students. This is why it's crucial for your kid to master time management. For one, they can utilize digital calendar apps-like Google Calendar and Calendy-to catalog any upcoming deadlines for assignments or exams. They can also look into color-coordinating these entries according to which ones are the most time-sensitive. Finally, they should create a tailored schedule that includes study sessions so that they can stay on top of their recent lessons. By managing their time wisely, students also have the opportunity to accommodate recreational activities alongside educational pursuits.

Note-taking

Research on note-taking found that this practice can improve a student's performance since it helps them engage with a lecture's content. To expound on this, note-taking increases one's ability to learn and recall information. As a result, students can better comprehend complex subjects. Now, there are several methods that your child can adopt, like the Cornell method-wherein students use the right part of their paper to jot down notes and the left-hand margin to label ideas with keywords and cues that are easy to remember. There's also the Outline method, which entails recording notes in a pattern based on indentation. This is easy, as your kid only needs to position the most topical points to the far left, then use bullet points or dashes to write down additional information. Ultimately, having comprehensive and detailed notes is a great way to stay organized in college.

Utilizing user-generated flashcards

Flashcards are a beneficial tool that your child can utilize in college. A Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition report revealed that creating detailed flashcards, which necessitates a student to select, organize, and produce a material, can enhance learning. It can likewise improve memory since information is mentally produced rather than simply read. Now, one way your child can generate effective flashcards geared for studying is by incorporating mnemonic devices. This strategy enables them to make mental connections that can help them with difficult subjects like chemistry or psychology. If your kid is a visual learner, they can also make use of images. All that considered, flashcards are a wonderful way for your kid to develop their own study materials.

Collaborating with peers

It's believed that students can perform better in a collaborative learning environment compared to their peers who study alone. Case in point, a Frontiers in Psychology article on teaching methods explained that this kind of study environment, which required students to communicate with each other and complete projects together, promoted learning satisfaction. As such, encourage your kid to create their own study groups while in college. This will allow them to share important lecture notes that can supplement their own material. On a more positive note, it also means that your child will have people to confide in-in case they're struggling with a difficult lesson or topic.


By introducing great studying habits to your child, they can be better prepared to enter college and attain educational success.