Let’s be honest; no one is born knowing how to study. Just like no one automatically knows how to ride a bike. You typically get some lessons from someone and practice until you have a good grip on the activity. Luckily, studying is no different, and you’ll have to learn and practice some skills to do well in class and move on to middle and high school. Keep reading as we look at effective study tips for 13 year-olds.
General Study Tips for 13 Year-Olds
General Study Tips for 13 Year-OldsIf you’re struggling with figuring out how to study effectively, here’s what you can do:
Pay Attention in Class
There’s no doubt that the process of studying and learning starts when you pay attention in class and take thorough notes. This means you begin studying even before your teacher starts teaching the material by preparing beforehand for class.
If you have trouble paying attention in class because you can’t see the board clearly or are sitting next to a loud person, try to change places and move closer to the front. Additionally, any problems that prevent you from taking good notes and paying attention should be discussed with your parents or teacher.
Plan Ahead
Of course, a student who waits until Wednesday night to study for Thursday’s test is unlikely to perform at their best. We’re all guilty of procrastinating sometimes, but one of the best ways of preventing this is to plan ahead.
Purchase a planner or calendar to write down your assignment and test due dates, so you can determine how much time to spend on every topic and the amount of work you need to put in daily after school. If you’re having difficulty balancing lessons with extracurricular activities, consult your dad or mom on how to make a schedule that brings more order into your life.
Make Detailed Notes
Perhaps you’re unsure how to take notes and don’t know where to start. In that case, we recommend writing down everything your teacher writes on the board during class and any facts they mention while talking. Organize your papers, quizzes, and notes by subject, and try to use neat handwriting so information is easier to read and understand.
Ask for Help When Needed
Unless you study effectively and with concentration, you won’t be able to understand your course material. Ask your teacher for help if some concepts aren’t making sense, or check yourself by reading through your notes. And if you’re at home when a studying block hits, don’t hesitate to ask your dad or mom because they may be able to help.
Sleep Timely
Tomorrow could be test day, and you’ve stuck to your study plan; however, you can’t remember anything, not even the basic stuff! Well, there’s no reason to panic. Your brain requires time to process all the knowledge you’ve fed it, so sleep on time and get a good night’s sleep. You’ll be surprised to know all the information that registers in the morning.
How to Study for a Test for 13-Year Olds?
In this section, we’ll provide some good study habits for middle schoolers to do well in tests:
Form a Study Group
At times, it’s useful review material with your peers studying for the same test. It can help you ensure that you understand the subject and have made the correct notes. Typically, study groups are a great way to work with others and devise ways to test one another and remember concepts.
Some people get easily distracted, and study groups prevent them from going off topic. Whether you’re with your classmates or friends, study in the library because this will ensure you spend more time studying than hanging out.
Still, remember that it boils down to what works best for you. You might feel more confident studying alone than with people, and that’s okay. If you’ve never worked in a group and want to try it out, now’s the moment to take the leap.
Base Your Study Session on the Kind of Test You’re Taking
Most teachers tell their students the exam format beforehand so that you can tailor your study plan accordingly. For example, you might have a multiple-choice question history test, meaning you should focus on studying details and facts. In contrast, an essay questions-based exam requires you to consider which topics are more likely to be included and use your books, notes, and other reference sources.
Go through your notes and textbook several times when you’re studying and jot down any thoughts or phrases that can help you retain the essential concepts or ideas. This strategy is especially important when memorizing names, dates, or other factual information. For science or math equations or problems, it’s in your best interest to practice, practice, and more practice!
Some individuals find it helpful to study aloud to an imaginary student, while others prefer studying with a partner and taking turns teaching aloud.
Make Flashcards
Ah, flashcards. There’s a reason they’re a popular study tool: they’re easy to make and carry around, and you can pull them out any time for a quick study session. Flashcards enable you to study effectively because you remember more things than reading through pages of notes or writing information down.
This study hack is the way to go for any subject where you have to remember connections between the content and terms, like equations, formulas, historical dates, or vocabulary.
How to Create a Productive Study Environment for 13-Year-Olds?
As a parent, you may have to create a productive study environment for your child if they’re disinterested and haven’t been performing well in school. Fear not because now we’ll delve into how to motivate a teenager who doesn’t care about studying or good grades:
Try a Change of Scenery
Sure, studying at home is convenient, but siblings, parents, and a dirty laundry pile can quickly become distractions that derail your kid’s focused study time. They might be tempted to lay on the couch and watch a show, even if they’re home alone, rather than hit the books.
One great way to get someone back into studying mode is by changing the scenery around them. Encourage them to study at a public library near your house or at a coffee shop if they prefer background noise while working. Just don’t forget to give them headphones in case their fellow coffee drinkers get too loud and rowdy!
Remove Distractions
When studying for a subject you don’t enjoy, it’s extremely challenging not to take ‘quick breaks’ while you make notes or go over course material. There are always hidden distractions that will lure your child’s concentration away from the task at hand. A quick glance at their phone can turn into an hour wasted on the internet, affecting their performance at school.
Remove all distractions from your kid’s study space and have them eat a snack or meal before they begin studying to avoid rummaging through the fridge. Take their phone away and make it a firm rule not to return it until their allotted study time is up.
Reward Them for Completing Milestones
Studying can be fun if you know a small reward is waiting for you whenever you complete a study milestone. For instance, allow your child to eat a piece of chocolate or candy for every 30 flashcards or note pages you test them on or give them their phone for 10 minutes after every hour of studying.
Additionally, set larger rewards for longer-term goals, like going out for ice cream for a week of studying effectively or a trip somewhere in the summer if your child performs well during the school semester. These rewards help keep students motivated and enable them to study more effectively.
How to Stay Motivated While Studying for 13 Year-Olds?
There’s only so much your parents can do to help you do well in school. At the end of the day, it’s your own hard work and effort that results in rewardable outcomes. Let’s take a look at some study skills for middle school students that will help you stay motivated:
Put Reminders
Select images or write notes from your mind maps onto flashcards or post-its and hang them in places your brain wouldn’t associate with studying, such as the fridge door or bathroom mirror. The human mind’s capacity for thinking is mostly unconscious, meaning you don’t actively recall them, but still absorb them instinctively as you see them daily.
Tell Stories
The brain loves nothing more than a narrative; we are a species that weaves stories about how we’ve evolved as human beings and how vital information has been passed down from tribal elders to their children and grandchildren. We’re wired to remember things easily if it’s in a story form, and doesn’t have to be sophisticated.
Set Goals
The key to studying without getting overwhelmed is to understand and set realistic goals for yourself and your working capacity while also challenging yourself. You don’t want to be complacent, so make a to-do list and check tasks as you complete them.
Effective Study Habits for 13 Year-Olds
Generally, you should also:
Take Breaks
You need to take breaks if you want to be productive. Step away from your subject material after every hour and take longer breaks every few hours by completely detaching yourself from your textbooks or screens. Spend some time during the week to participate in sports or other physically active exercises that keep your mind fresh and active.
Have a Routine
You can make the most of your time by establishing a daily, well-structured routine with clear goals. Routine is also a great way to get your mind and body working in tandem, allowing you to transition between being productive and switching off smoothly when needed.
Make a study schedule and a timetable to allot a few hours every day to studying while also exercising in the morning and eating at the same hours. These small habits add up to make a big difference, so try to stick to your routine as closely as possible.
Study Early
While some individuals can cram a night before exams and tests and still achieve good grades, it’s rarer than you’d think. Most people have to see and process information several times before it gets embedded in their memory. Go over everything you’re taught in school daily to reduce the stress that comes from studying and doing schoolwork last minute.
Wrapping Things Up: 17 Effective Study Tips for 13 Year-Olds
Good study habits don’t develop overnight; most teenagers need to be taught certain strategies to improve their grades and do well in school. You’re less likely to be stressed and overwhelmed when you stay on top of your coursework and homework. Go through our aforementioned effective study habits for junior high school students and middle schoolers alike if you’re stuck in a rut at school.
