Better Study Skills
Study Help
One of the most important skills acquired by campers who attend SuperCamp is learning new and better study skills. The high school study skills and middle school study skills taught at SuperCamp enable students to be more efficient and productive with the time they devote to studying.
Learning better study skills begins with awareness of an important concept that we use at SuperCamp known as Everything Speaks. At SuperCamp, we help campers understand that everything in their home study environment sends a message that either enhances or detracts from learning. We get them thinking about tidy versus cluttered chaos, light and airy versus dim and dark, inviting and functional versus any old place.
As they say in real estate, location is everything. It's the same when learning how to gain better study skills. We tell students to find a place that's quiet and free of distractions; so, if possible, not the family room or the dining room table! The ideal is a defined study area in your child's bedroom.
And we tell them to make sure their home study area has good lighting (natural light and a lamp), shelves for reference books and supplies, and a computer, if needed. Obviously, they'll also need a desk or table with space for their study materials as well as a work area that's not cramped. And a comfortable "sit-upright" chair will help them stay alert and focused; this point should not be overlooked as one of the very important study skills to help the process of learning for kids.
Homework Help
Parents, here's a homework tip. Make sure your kids don't have to waste valuable homework time looking for a pen! (Yes, homework still requires pens and paper.) Help them stock up on pens, paper, and pencils, and have them all within reach, not just somewhere in their room! Also make sure they have whatever reference material they need.
Another piece of homework help you can add to the mix is "brain friendly" classical music. Baroque music provides homework and study help by letting students focus. The music optimizes the functions of the brain that store and retrieve information. Many (most?!) children will think that their own music is best, but try to convince them to try baroque-they may well notice that it makes their study time easier, and want more! Suggest that they download some Bach, Handel, or Vivaldi for while they're studying and save their own music for breaks.
High School Study Skills
In our 10-day Senior Forum program for incoming 9th-12th graders, in addition to developing the campers' high school study skills, we spend time on teaching them test-taking techniques, including the following:
- Know you know. Be prepared. Practice. Simulate the exact conditions and tasks of the exam.
- What's it all about? Find out the format of the test. Is it multiple choice? Essay
- questions? Sentence completion? Short answer? True/False? Open book?
- Eat it. Your breakfast, that is. Have a healthy, light breakfast that includes some protein like eggs, lean ham or yogurt and fruit. It's great for your energy without making you sluggish.
- It's about comfort. Dress in layers. You never know what the test-room temperature will be. Be ready for anything.
- Memorize important facts and formulas. Write them down in margins when you first get the test.
- Ask your teacher. Seriously. Ask for clarification or rephrasing of questions you don't understand. This may help trigger information in your head.
- Write it down. Write down your reasoning, even if you don't know the exact answer. Get partial credit where you can.
- Picturing. If you can't remember a fact, close your eyes and picture where it is in your notes, in your book, or on your Mind Map.
- Know your needs. Prepare everything you need for the exam the night before.
- Get psyched, stay psyched. Talk to yourself before and during the test. Say things like:
- "I know the material and will remember it easily."
Middle School Study Skills
One of the middle school study skills we teach students in our 7-day Junior Forum camps is SLANT. SLANT is an acronym we use at SuperCamp that stands for techniques students can employ to manage their own state. A student's state consists of his or her thoughts, feelings, breathing and physiology (body posture). Learning and absorbing information is a skill just like reading and writing. Here's how students can get a new SLANT on learning with this classroom study skill:
- S - Sit... up in your chair in the front row or middle section of the class.
- L - Lean... forward as if you are hanging on the teacher's every word.
- A - Ask... questions during class, even if it's only for clarification of class notes.
- N - Nod... your head to let the teacher know that you are interested.
- T - Talk... to the teacher to establish a relationship with him or her.
This SLANT strategy (adapted from the work of Dr. Ed Ellis) will help your son or daughter achieve higher grades without having to spend additional time studying.
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Daniel, SuperCamp grad parent
"In just two weeks SuperCamp accomplished what I've been trying (to accomplish) for 16 years. My son, who was reluctant to go, now says it was the best 10 days of his life."
Heather, SuperCamp grad
"It's a great experience. It's a lot of fun, plus you learn some important life skills."
Iris, SuperCamp grad parent
"My husband and I are proud parents of a 13-year old son. Our son has attended SuperCamp for four years and SuperCamp has helped him to become a polished and well-rounded young man. He loves school, and is an honor roll student. He is also able to balance his academics with his after school sports activities such as cross-country, racing, basketball and golf, along with playing in the jazz band. SuperCamp has been a wonderful experience for him each year. And because of his love, enjoyment, and growth he will be attending next year and the next few years. So, thank you SuperCamp."
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