Getting the most out of homework time: Study Motivation

In order for a child to get the most out of homework time will depend on the child. But there are some guidelines that may help.

Create good study habits:

1. Turn off the television: TV can and does distract you if you are trying to study. So - No TV until after homework is completed.
2. Turn off the Internet and chat rooms: This is extremely problematic for teenage children. Most school aged children seem to have access to a computer, usually with Internet availability. Either limit the Internet access (password control) or make a pact with the child and enforce it. No chat rooms until after homework is completed.
3. Do homework before anything else - and that includes play time or chat time or dinner.
4. Try and fit as much homework in during school time as you can.
5. Teach kids how to take notes whilst reading, and teach them how to use abstracts, contents pages and skim reading to maximise the study time.
6. If you have to take work home - make a point of practising what you preach. No TV or web surfing whilst you are working.

Create a good study environment:

It is good to have a room or area set aside for thought based activities. Most homes don't have a library, but try and organise a room where important reference material can sit, alongside printers, pens and other stationery.

Persist until you succeed:

Most people don't feel like doing homework, do you think your parents were any different to you. But you still need to sit down and do it anyway - if you want to get a grade. To get a better grade though, try pretending you are enjoying what you are doing and beieve me when I say - you'll get through it a whole lot faster.