When There Is Just No Time to Study

We get it, between work, school, family commitments and all of the extracurricular activities, life is very busy, and it can be hard to find extra time - especially this time of year - to help your student study and get in much needed extra practice on those math skills.  But if your student is behind or struggling in math you really only have two options: 1) let them continue to fall behind setting them up to continue to struggle the rest of the school year and into future grades or 2) make the time.

We know our parents are not the kind to settle for option 1 or you wouldn’t be reading this!  So, if you are having a hard time finding the time, we hope these tips and suggestions will help.

Dedicated Study Time: You have probably heard this suggestion before, but it is worth repeating again and again until you take action on it–schedule a dedicated time (about 30 minutes two or more times a week) that is reserved for you and your student to get to work and STICK TO IT.  Consider different ways you can modify your schedule to create pockets of time like ordering take-out for dinner instead of cooking or planning ahead to have leftovers on study nights. Genuinely look at your schedule and find those windows of time and make them a priority.

Remove Distractions - For Students AND Parents: I think if our planet was visited by aliens today and they had to use one word to describe our modern culture it would be DISTRACTED. We are all guilty of it! So, make sure during study time that the electronics are on Do Not Disturb (yours and theirs).  This sends a message to your student that this time is an important priority and will a) help them to treat it as such, and b) remind them how much you care.  In addition, try to find a quiet place, if possible, where you won’t be interrupted by other family members.

Be Prepared:  Make sure that you are staying in the know on which lessons your student is currently being taught in school each week and remind your student to bring home their textbook or workbook on your study days.  You may even be able to get an extra book from your teacher that you can keep at home.  Hey, it can’t hurt to ask! For extra help on understanding your student’s math lessons and homework be sure to download your free grade-level guide and keep it on hand for reference or queue up a math tutorial video for step-by-step guidance.

Decision Time: If you have a student that is involved in multiple sports and/or extracurricular activities during the same time period, you may need to consider at least temporarily adjusting their level of participation and dedicating that newly acquired time to helping them catch up.  This is never an easy decision to make or to deliver to your kiddo, but you can remind them that it doesn’t have to be a permanent one and as they get older maintaining a certain grade point average is a requirement to participate in school sports and extracurriculars.

Reward:  Being committed to extra study time deserves a reward for you both!  Consider working in a little something as a reward to praise your student’s hard work and to remind them that it is not punishment but rather an investment in their future.  This doesn’t need to be anything big, but rather something special like a sweet treat you share together or taking time to play a video game or read a book together.

Finding the time can be challenging, but you can do it! We hope these tips can help you find the time and make the most of it!