The Best Study Skills for Middle School

As your child enters middle school, they must start developing good study habits. Middle school is an important time in their academic career, and if they establish good study skills now, it will carry over into high school and beyond.

Let’s discuss why good study skills are important and 15 study skills for middle school success.

By following these tips, your child can ace their classes and get the best education possible!

Why It’s Important to Develop Good Study Habits in Middle School

There are many reasons why it’s essential to develop good study habits in middle school. For one, the academic workload increases significantly in middle school. In addition, the types of assignments become more challenging and require more time to complete. Finally, standardized tests become a more significant part of the middle school experience.

These factors underscore the importance of the early development of good study habits.

Five Reasons to Develop Good Study Habits In Middle School

1. Good study habits will help your child get good grades and improve their academic performance.
2. Developing good study habits will help them learn how to focus and stay on task.
3. Good study habits will make retaining information and remembering things they have studied easier.
4. Good study habits will help middle schoolers develop a solid work ethic and be more disciplined in their studies.
5. Good study habits can help middle schoolers become successful students later in life.

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15 Effective Study Skills for Middle School

While doing well in school can be challenging for any student, it’s tough for middle schoolers. They’re dealing with more challenging coursework, social pressures, and hormones while trying to figure out who they are as individuals. However, there are things that parents and guardians can do to help ease the transition and set their kids up for success.

One of the most important things you can do is teach them effective study skills.

See also: The Best Tips for Middle School Parents Ever.

Here are 15 study tips for middle school that will help your tween ace their classes:

1. Make a study schedule and stick to it.

Making a study schedule and sticking to it is one of the most important things parents and guardians can do to help ease the transition and set their kids up for success in middle school.

By creating and following a study schedule, students are more likely to finish all their work on time and not fall behind. Additionally, having a routine helps keep them organized and focused, which is essential for successful studying.

POWER TIP: Ask your middle schooler to do their homework right after school. As it gets later, they’ll be less likely to put effort into their work due to fatigue.

2. Get plenty of restful sleep.

Most people know that getting a good night’s sleep is essential, but many don’t realize just how vital it is for students.

During sleep, the brain processes information learned during the day and stores it in long-term memory. So if your child isn’t getting enough restful sleep, they will have a more challenging time learning and retaining information.

This is especially true for middle schoolers dealing with more challenging coursework.

That’s why it’s so crucial for parents and guardians to make sure their children are getting plenty of restful sleep each night. By doing so, they will be setting their kids up for success in school.

See the American Academy of Pediatrics’s Sleep Recommendations here.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

One of the most important things parents and guardians can do to help ease the transition and set their kids up for success in middle school is to ensure they eat a healthy diet.

A healthy diet gives students the energy to focus during class and complete their homework on time. Additionally, a healthy diet helps keep students’ minds sharp, which is essential for doing well in school.

4. Exercise regularly.

One of the best things parents and guardians can do to help ease the transition and set their kids up for success in middle school is to exercise regularly.

Exercise helps keep students’ minds sharp, essential for doing well in school. Additionally, exercise gives students the energy to focus during class and complete their homework on time.

So by ensuring your child is exercising regularly, you are setting them up for success in middle school and beyond.

5. Take breaks when needed.

It can be challenging for middle schoolers to focus on their work, especially when they have a lot of things going on in their lives. That’s why they need to take breaks when needed.

When students take breaks, they give their minds a chance to rest and recharge. Breaks allow them to return to their work with fresh energy and focus.

Additionally, by taking breaks often, students are preventing themselves from getting overwhelmed. Taking breaks is an essential skill for middle schoolers to learn, as there is a lot of information thrown at them during these years.

So if your child is finding it difficult to focus on their work, encourage them to take breaks often. It will help them perform better in the long run.

6. Organize school materials in an efficient way.

One of the best ways to help ease the transition and set your kids up for success in middle school is to ensure they efficiently organize their school materials.

When students efficiently organize their materials, they are more likely to finish all their work on time and not fall behind. Additionally, the organization helps keep them focused and organized, important for successful studying.

For more on organization, see Essential Kids Desk Organization Ideas for Busy Students (And Parents!).

Also, see How to Create an Amazing Home Study Space for Your Tweens.

POWER TIP: Help your child create a designated place for each type of material. A dedicated study space will make it easier for them to find what they need when they need it.

7. Stay focused when studying.

It can be challenging for middle schoolers to focus on their work, especially when they have a lot of things going on in their lives. That’s why they need to stay focused when studying.

Students are more likely to finish all their work on time and not fall behind when they stay focused. Additionally, staying focused helps keep students organized and focused, both of which are essential for successful studying.

Here are a few tips that can help tweens stay focused when studying:

• Make a study schedule and stick to it.
• Set aside specific times each day for learning, and make sure they stick to them.
• Turn off all distractions while studying, including the TV, cell phones, and computer.
• Sit down with them and go over homework and assignments until they feel confident enough to manage them independently.

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8. Practice test-taking skills.

Middle schoolers must practice test-taking skills to prepare for high school and beyond.

When your child practices taking tests, they learn how to stay focused and calm under pressure. Additionally, practicing test-taking skills helps students become familiar with the format of standardized tests.

One of the best ways for parents to help their children practice test-taking skills is to create a mock testing environment at home.

A mock testing environment means that parents should create a test-like atmosphere in their home and provide their children with practice tests to take.

Parents can also help their children prepare for standardized tests by familiarizing them with the format of the tests and the types of questions that will be asked on the test. By doing this, parents can help their children feel more confident and prepared when taking a test.

9. Use a planner to track assignments and deadlines.

Middle schoolers need to keep an academic planner to track projects and deadlines. Students who know what is due are less likely to fall behind in their work. Additionally, keeping track of assignments and deadlines allows students to plan their time more efficiently.

An academic planner also helps prevent students from forgetting assignments and tests. Keeping track of academic assignments is especially important during middle school when a lot of information is thrown at students.

So if your child is struggling to keep track of their assignments and deadlines, encourage them to use a planner. It will help them stay on top of their work and avoid stressful last-minute cramming sessions.

10. Create flashcards for key concepts.

One of the best ways for parents to help their children study is to have them create flashcards for critical concepts.

When students create flashcards, they are more likely to remember the information. Additionally, creating flashcards helps students become familiar with the material they are studying.

Here are a few tips on how parents can help their children create flashcards for key concepts:

1. Have your child select key concepts they need to learn for their upcoming test or quiz.
2. Help your child come up with questions about each concept that they want to be able to answer.
3. Once your child has created questions for each concept, have them write the answers on index cards or pieces of paper.
4. Make sure your children quiz themselves regularly using flashcards to remember the information better.

11. Ask for help when needed.

One of the best ways for middle schoolers to succeed academically is to ask for help when needed.

When students ask for help, they are more likely to understand the material they are studying. Additionally, asking for help allows students to get feedback from teachers and classmates, which can help them understand the material better.

It is also vital for parents to encourage their children to ask for help when needed. When parents offer support and guidance, it makes it easier for children to ask for help when they need it.

So if your child is struggling with a particular subject or topic, encourage them to ask their teacher or classmates for help. They will be glad you did!

POWER TIP: Many middle school teachers offer extra study sessions during lunchtime or after school. Encourage your tween to attend those sessions!

You might like How to Boost Your Child’s Creative Thinking Skills.

12. Study in a quiet environment.

One of the best ways for middle school students to succeed academically is to study in a quiet environment.

When students can focus on their studies, they are more likely to understand the material they are studying. Additionally, learning in a quiet environment helps students avoid distractions that can interfere with their ability to focus.

So if your child is struggling to focus while studying, encourage them to find a quiet place where they can work undisturbed. It will help them get better grades and reduce their stress levels.

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13. Take practice quizzes and tests.

One of the best ways for middle school students to improve their academic performance is to take practice quizzes and tests.

Students who practice taking quizzes and tests are more likely to remember the information. Additionally, when students practice taking quizzes and tests, they become familiar with the format of the questions that will be asked on their upcoming tests or examinations.

So if your child is struggling with academics, encourage them to take practice quizzes and tests. It will help them get better grades and reduce their stress levels.

14. Read actively and critically in class.

Tweens can read actively and critically in a class by taking notes, asking questions, and discussing the material with their classmates.

Taking notes is one of the best ways to read actively in class. When students take notes, they are more likely to remember the information. Additionally, taking notes allows students to focus on what the teacher is saying, which can help them understand the material better.

Another way for tweens to read critically in class is by asking questions. When students ask questions, they can clarify any confusion about the material. When students ask questions, it also shows their teachers that they are interested in the material and want to learn more.

Finally, a great way for tweens to read critically in class is by discussing the material with their classmates. When students discuss the material with their classmates, they can share their ideas about the topic, which can help them understand it better.

15. Review notes and concepts regularly.

Tweens need to review notes and concepts regularly because when they do, they can remember the information better. Additionally, when tweens review notes and concepts regularly, they become familiar with the material, which can help them perform better on tests and quizzes.

So if your child is struggling with academics, encourage them to review their notes and concepts regularly. It will help them get better grades and reduce their stress levels.

How to Help Your Tween Study for a Test in Middle School

In middle school, it’s important to develop good study habits to prepare for high school and beyond.

Here are some tips on how to help your child study for a test:

• Make a study schedule and stick to it.
• Review notes and textbook chapters before the test.
• Read the chapter aloud to your middle schooler.
• Quiz them orally on key concepts.
• Create flashcards with vocabulary or main ideas.
• Encourage them to take many practice tests to see where they need improvement.
• Make sure they get plenty of rest the night before a test.
• Ask them to eat breakfast before they leave for school.

Please keep in mind that grades are not all that matter. If your child struggles in school, see Teach Your Child How to Deal With a Bad Grade.

Study Skills for Middle School Activities

One study skill that can be done at home is studying in short bursts. A short burst means taking breaks between study sessions to allow your brain to rest and absorb the information. Try setting a timer for 20 minutes and then taking a five-minute break. Repeat this cycle until all of the material has been covered.

Another study skill that can be used at home is setting goals. Try setting a weekly goal of how much material you want to cover and then breaking it down into smaller daily goals. When you have a goal, it gives you something to work towards and makes studying more purposeful.

Also, flashcards are a great way to memorize information and can be used for various subjects. You can make your flashcards or use an online flashcard program. For a list of the ten best online flashcard apps, see 10 Best Flashcard Apps to Improve Visual Memory.

Finally, a fourth study skill that can be helpful is breaking down information into manageable chunks. This means taking large amounts of information and breaking it into smaller, more manageable pieces. Breaking down concepts will help you to understand better and remember the material. Try breaking down chapters into smaller sections or key points you want to remember.

Using these study skills, you will better learn the material at home and be prepared for middle school activities. Give them a try and see how they work for you!

In Sum

Middle schoolers must develop good study habits to prepare for high school and beyond. The tips provided in this article will help your child succeed on their next test. Try implementing some of these strategies and see how they work for you! If you want more parenting tips and hacks delivered straight to your inbox, consider signing up for the MamaBookworm newsletter. Happy studying!