I often get this question from new clients “What can I do to help my student study properly?”
And I will be honest with my clients and respond, " There is not a one size fits all method."
Our tutoring team does their best to evaluate student's based on how they learn in order to reveal a method of studying that will bring them the most success in school.
To identify which type of studier your student is, it's important to understand the different types of learning. Some of the most common are: verbal learners, visual learners, physical and logistic learners.
Our Team has created a list of our most recommended and helpful study tools for our students K-12.
Flash Cards: Visual & Physical Learners
This is ultimately one of the best places to start. Not only is it simple but it is relatable to the visual & physical learners. I recommend writing with a sharpie or colorful marker, this makes it fun and more rememberable! Flashcards can be used in school, at home, or on the go.
Ways you can utilize this tool: Shuffle the cards and as you go through them separate them into piles for the ones “known” vs “not familiar”. Repetition is key!
Re-Writing Notes: Visual Learners
For visual learners, this is such an amazing way to gather information that your student may have missed when taking notes in class. Using a black, purple or blue pen is crucial while also highlighting important topics such as: vocabulary words, headers or important names. Those colors have been scientifically proven to enhance memory of that said subject when recalling it during an exam. Student’s should rewrite notes by shrinking them into an outline structure to make the information more detailed and clear.
Songs and Acronyms: Verbal & Logistic Learners
I’ve noticed that so many teachers love to teach acronyms and songs, especially for younger kiddos. I am all on board with these because just as we remember songs on the radio, students are just as capable of remembering material when applying it to a song. Songs work best for verbal learners with science and history materials. Acronyms works great with all subjects. Youtube has tons of great resources for starter songs on many subjects.
Re -Teach The Lesson: Logistic & Verbal Learners
Make this a fun activity for all involved. Bring out a white board or something for the role-play student to write on. Ask your student to teach you the subject at hand and ask questions for them to explain to you. This is an amazing tool because you learn how your student comprehends the material and how they verbalize it back to you.
Practice Quizzes/Tests: Visual Learners
These can be created by the students by hand or online. A great online tool to use for test/quiz design is Quizlet. The most effective design for a homemade practice guides are for the vocabulary to be written answers or matching, terms to be matching, specific questions to be multiple choice or true and false and create 2 short answers or essay question options. Mocking a true exam is effective to prepare your students for success.
Tutoring & Beyond challenges all students to try one or more of these techniques to see how their studying habits improve!
Well, that is all for now and I am hopeful that this will help get your student started. Please comment below what you'd like to read about next from Tutoring & Beyond! We are happy to be a useful resource to you and your family!