Tips for Study

Tips for Homework & Study

Homework in Year 7 varies depending on the number of teachers and subjects each day. Most students will need to do some homework every night. It might be a review of the day’s lesson, completion of exercises or starting an assignment that is due later. If you are unsure about what homework you have or when it is due, make sure you ask your teacher as soon as you can, don't leave it until the night before it is due as this can cause unnecessary stress.

Study time (Revision) is different to homework. During study time, students should go over the day's work, read their textbooks or notes, create summaries and try to increase their understanding of concepts covered in class. The more you review the work and summarise into your own words, the easier it will be for you to understand and recall in the future in class tests, assignments, presentations or exams. Doing a bit of revision each day of the subjects you had that day help you to lock the information into memory.

Where to study is really important - try if possible to not study in your bedroom - keep this as your sacred place to hang out in your free time, a place where you go to unwind from school. Otherwise as you go through high school and your workload increases you may find it hard to switch off at night. This could impact on your sleep and your general health and well-being. Think about setting up an area in another quiet place in your home - you may like to use earphones to block out surrounding noise. Try playing songs that increase focus - there are a long list of 'focus' or 'study' playlists on Spotify for you to try. These songs are designed specifically to tune into the part of your brain that helps you focus (your RAS, recticular activating system).

After school activities are also things you may need to juggle around homework and study such as sport or music lessons. Therefore it can be helpful to draw up a planner that clearly highlights when these activities occur and when you will need to allow for homework or study. It is also really important that you schedule in 'free time' where you can do the other things you enjoy and also take a break from school work. This could be used to hang out with family and friends, ride a bike, go for a walk, play with your pets or fulfill other hobbies or self-care activities you enjoy.

Below is a sample of a study timetable. Why not try drawing up something like this for yourself. Make it nice and colourful and motivating - try including a positive affirmation or quote by a famous person you admire. Remember free time and your after school activities are still important so make sure you plot these in and around your homework and revision time slots.