Babyboomers.com

If you or your kids’ brains remain on vacation mode after the first school bell has rung, you may need help getting back on the academic track. Before homework and tests overwhelm, put these study tips into practice:

1. Get enough sleep! A rested mind is a sharper mind. Eight to 10 hours of sleep a night will aid both attention span and concentration.

2. Schedule study/homework sessions for the same time each day. A consistent schedule makes it easier to establish study time as a daily habit.

3. Choose a quiet, comfortable place for study where basic supplies, such as paper, sharpened pencils, erasers, scissors, dictionary, etc., are handy. Again, consistency is helpful. Turn off the television and any loud music.

4. Use a calendar or planner to keep track of daily assignments.

5. Don’t procrastinate! Begin working on assignments the same day they are given, even if it’s just to break the assignment into steps and set deadline dates for each task.

6. If you get bored, switch to another subject/task for a while.

7. Take short breaks every 30 to 60 minutes (the older the student, the longer he/she can go between breaks).

8. Read every day; elementary students should begin with a minimum of 15 minutes.

9. Whenever appropriate, encourage children to do their homework independently.

10. Eat healthy meals and snacks. Just as with adequate sleep, nutrition can influence performance.