You may find it surprising, but according to Farhan Hussain, owner and director of the San Antonio branch of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services, your child’s inability to reach his potential in the classroom may have less to do with his intellect than his study habits. As Hussain explains, the first indicator that any reputable tutor will look for in a student who is struggling in school is a lack of adequate study skills.
Upon first meeting with a new family, a Club Z! tutor will discuss in great detail the current study habits that take place in the home, and the child’s current study routine. According to Club Z!, five key study skills that need to be perfected to achieve maximum success in school. They are time management, organization, learning styles, concentration, and taking notes. To begin working on establishing these skills, Hussain recommends that every student have a regular study area that is both comfortable and quiet, away from distractions like televisions and siblings. He also adds that a regular time every night must be established for completing homework and studying. And every member of the family should be made aware of this time to show their support.
Once a student learns to apply the strategies and tips taught by his tutor, many of his problems in the classroom will begin to rectify themselves. Additionally, parents will be amazed how quickly their children bounce back from an academic slump once they’ve been taught and have practiced the proper study skills.
Another aspect of the studying routine that Club Z! tutors focus on is helping children learn to study smarter, not harder. Since studying is not actually a subject taught in school, and therefore teachers do not give grades for time management, many parents and students tend to overlook its importance. If you find that your child has low grades in every subject, as opposed to struggling in just one area, this is probably because he has a lack of study skills more than anything else.
Even the most advanced students benefit from learning how to find a balance between school and their social lives, because few students thoroughly enjoy spending all their time with their nose in textbooks. Club Z! tutors emphasize that the study skills taught in their tutoring sessions will help students with any of the following needs:
- Students who are struggling in school overall
- Students who need help with just one subject
- Social, busy students
- Athletes and performers who have to juggle school work and practices
- Students with learning disabilities
- Students with ADHD/ADD
- Students who are looking to increase their grades
After assessing a student’s particular needs and establishing clear goals, the tutor, parents and teachers will work in conjunction to motivate the student and encourage him to exercise his newly acquired skills. In addition, Club Z! tutors use hands-on exercises in their sessions to help identify the weaknesses in a student’s habits and create a more pleasant environment for him to learn while at home. The tutor will also provide your child with helpful suggestions and assignments to help him achieve his goals including:
- Banishing all-nighters
- Discovering his favorite ways to learn
- Applying test-taking strategies to practice tests
- Practicing listening, notetaking, reading, and participation techniques
- Challenging reading comprehension
- Tricks to help easily memorize terms, dates, and formulas
If you have noticed that your child has lost interest in school, has been spending an increasing amount of time with friends or is particpating in after-school activities, and has grades lower than usual, it doesn’t mean you have to start cutting out what he enjoys doing. Instead, consider hiring a tutor to help show your child that with the right study skills, it is possible to have a budding social life and honor roll grades.
