Focus takes more than willpower.

Most students want to improve their focus. They want to reduce their homework time. They want to retain more information from their study sessions. They want to perform well on exams.

But many well-intentioned teens sabotage their focus without realizing it.

If your teen is struggling to stay on task, ask them to consider these potential focus-destroying factors and pick two to work on this week:

1. Studying at the dining room table

It’s hard to focus when family members are constantly passing by or starting conversations. A dedicated study space minimizes disruptions. Pick a quiet room or corner and create a welcoming atmosphere with comfortable furnishings, good lighting, and a few plants.

2. Tackling the easy subjects first

There’s no need to make hard subjects harder! Approach them with a fresh, energized mind and save the easy stuff for later. If math is your most difficult subject, work on that homework first before moving onto English or history.

3. Studying for hours without a break

Instead of pounding out a three-hour study session, take a break every 30 minutes. You will work through the material faster and retain more of it long term. The breaks don’t have to be long. A few minutes of listening to music or stretching is all it takes to reenergize the brain.

4. Slouching

Slouching is as bad for your brain as it is for your back. At SuperCamp, we teach students to sit up and lean forward as part of our SLANT protocol. Good posture triggers the mind to be more alert.

5. Not asking questions in class

Instead of glazing over during lectures, ask the teacher questions and participate in discussions. This helps you engage with the material on a deeper level. (Plus, you will score brownie points with the teacher!)

6. Procrastinating until the last minute

Anxiety is the enemy of focus. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by planning study sessions in advance. For example, on Monday list all of your assignments for the week, and then decide when each one will be completed. Having a plan in place reduces procrastination.

7. Jumping right into writing assignments

Avoid writer’s block—and the distractions that come with it—with a quick brainstorming session. You will be less likely to drift off or get distracted if you have a clear plan.

8. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair

Nagging discomfort distracts even the most focused student. This is yet another reason to have a dedicated study space—one that accommodates an ergonomic office chair and desk set up.

9. Arriving late to class

It disrupts other students, it annoys the teachers, and it leaves the offender feeling flustered long after the class resumes. Arrive early and take a few moments to review your homework, especially on test days.

10. Thinking negatively

It’s hard to focus when negative thoughts are flying through our heads. This is doubly true when those negative thoughts are personal! Celebrate your abilities and accomplishments on a daily basis. As you become more confident, the self-criticism will fade away.

These are just a few of the strategies teens learn at SuperCamp to help them focus at school and at home. For more information about our academic summer camps, please call 800.228.5327. Ready to sign up? Call us or enroll online.

The post 10 Surprising Reasons Your Teenager Can’t Focus appeared first on SuperCamp.

Today was a beautiful end to a beautiful experience at SuperCamp.

Our Parent Workshop was fabulous—very informative and Karen was at her finest. She demonstrated her talent for captivating an audience while imparting crucial knowledge that just flows into you.

She taught our campers’ parents what we experienced this week, some of the things we learned and how to support their campers at home to continue their personal and academic growth. Karen taught our SuperParents SLANT, OTFD, AAMR, the 3 Big Brain Ideas, mind-mapping and other foundational SuperCamp strategies, all while sharing heart-warming experiences from camp and getting them as amped up about camp as their students are.

Once our Parent Workshop was complete and our SuperParents were schooled on their ‘Power-Whooshes,’ our SuperCamp graduates filed into the main room and joined in celebrating their accomplishments. As expected, graduation was powerful and inspiring. Tears of joy flowed as campers reunited with their families, and tears of sorrow flowed as campers said goodbye to their new friends. I too found myself tearing up, so proud and happy for these families and also wishing I could take all of my new SuperCamp friends with me.

These Facilitators are not only extraordinary teachers, but they are exceptional people. They walk the walk and talk the talk in everything they do. Their goodness and positive energy is contagious and makes you feel great just to be around them. I am honored to call these amazing people my new friends.

Leaving SuperCamp was bittersweet indeed. Yes, I was excited to see my family.  Yes, I was looking forward to ending the science experiment that was my hair, which began by choosing precious minutes of sleep over glamour.  And yes, I was looking forward to getting off my feet and back to my desk job – these little piggies went ‘weeeee’ all the way home!

But I was also sorry to say goodbye to my new friends and the most adorable 113 middle-schoolers ever. I was worried that I will lose the momentum I’ve gained in the past few days; that I will get distracted by my everyday life and revert to the status quo, forgetting my goals and new learning strategies. I was sad and nervous to leave this incredibly positive, supportive SuperCamp embrace and return to the ‘real world.’

I am so fortunate and grateful to be able to return to work at QLN where I can have a tiny dose of SuperCamp each day. I really wish every student and every teacher in every school could have the same SuperCamp experiences and education in their schools each day. I now understand the mission of our Quantum Learning Education division of QLN, which is striving to do just that. I hope I get the opportunity to support them in creating a Quantum Learning movement. If you would like to help with that cause too, please call us at 800-285-3276 extension 111, or visit www.QuantumLearning.com to learn how.

I am counting down the days to when I get to return to SuperCamp next year!
339 days to go!!!

Thank you to the Facilitators who changed my life this week:
Karen, thank you for your wisdom and excellence in everything you do.
Brett, thank you for your passion and talent in everything you do.
Lucy, thank you for your joy and energy in everything you do.
Silvia, thank you for your compassion and positivity in everything you do.
Many Thanks to QLN for allowing me this opportunity to learn and grow.
With love and great admiration, Marinda

The post SuperCamp LMU Junior Forum Journal – Day 7 appeared first on SuperCamp.