Teenagers transitioning from elementary school to middle school may feel overwhelmed by daily pressures. From puppy love to peer pressure, teenagers have a lot on their plates that may cause them to slip in their academic studies. Students automatically know the difference between fifth grade and sixth grade homework on their first day of class. In fact, most students realize they will need to put in a little extra effort in order to pass their courses. After spending their first month adjusting to a “schedule” with different time “periods,” students will get the hint that they need to study to move on to the next grade level. However, the majority of middle school students need to learn how to develop study skills. Middle school teachers introduce the material in the syllabus on a daily basis and in order for students to effectively learn they will need to help students with their study skills. Middle school students need more than a parent or teacher telling them to study to be successful. In fact, many middle school students consider “cramming” a form of studying. Unfortunately, information does not store in short-term memory for very long, especially when students force themselves to stay awake the night before the test.
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Many teachers agree that the dedicated student will develop effective study skills. Middle school students who spend at least fifteen minutes a day reviewing the chapter taught in class will perform better on their test. Students often complain that they feel unmotivated when they start to incorporate their middle school study skills. Activities for middle school students looking to improve their motivation may include writing about their goals and aspirations about succeeding in middle school on paper. Motivation serves as the key above and beyond all middle school study skills. Motivation starts from within the student, not the teacher or parent. If the student finds a little motivation to seek the necessary assistance and resources, then he or she will succeed at improving their middle school study skills. Self-motivation enables the student to focus on improving their study skills. Middle school teachers agree that outer motivation only helps temporarily. Self-motivated students who wish to move beyond their limitations will begin by learning some of the most effective study skills for middle school students.
The self-motivated student will not feel rushed to learn all of the study skills for middle school students at once. In fact, they will select one of the suggestions on the study skills for middle students list and then work at making it a habit. Not only will this method make it easier for middle school students, it will become second nature as they transition into high school. Some of the most basic study skills for middle school students involve setting up a schedule, studying in fifteen minute intervals, taking small breaks, finding a quiet environment, eliminating distractions, regulating mood, and rewarding oneself for studying in the first place.
Teachers agree that improving reading comprehension stands at the cornerstone of effective study skills. Activities for middle schools students looking to improve their reading comprehension include scanning a chapter or notebook page while looking for charts, graphs, headers, maps, photographs, illustrations, summaries, and reviews. Scanning helps the student understand the information within a short period of time. It provides a quick view of the presented information and makes it easier to understand when the student chooses to read the entire chapter. Students who incorporate scanning into their routine agree that it improves their study skills. Activities for middle school students who wish to learn how to actively read include asking questions about the information contained in the chapter. In other words, students ask about the text in front of them, especially if they see a new word or concept that they do not understand. Students agree that active reading improves their overall study skills. Activities for middle school students looking to improve how they review a chapter include scanning over the information and actively asking questions.
Middle school students often complain about a fizzled memory. Students may dedicate their time improving their study skills for middle school, but simply forget what they have read. Students who wish to improve their study skills for middle school will need to improve their memory using a few simple tricks. Teachers introduce acronyms as an effective method to improve a student’s study skills for middle school curriculum. In short, students choose a word and then use each letter in the word as a reminder about a person, place, thing, or idea. Teachers also introduce acrostics to improve middle school study skills. Activities for students interested in acrostics include creating a phrase or poem with the first letter of each word or line. Teachers may also impart imagery as an effective method of improving middle school study skills. Activities for students looking to improve their imagery while reading include drawing or imagining a picture of the studied object, theory, or idea. Finally, teachers may incorporate visualization as a means of improving middle school study skills. Activities for students looking to improve their visualization include using graphic organizers to help remember pictures and other information.
Teachers will motivate their students once they introduce them to these study skills. Activities middle school students will come across while working through the curriculum challenge students to improve their study habits by getting motivated and organized. Students looking to improve their academic performance should take part in these study skills activities. Middle school teachers should gladly help their students with maintaining awareness in class, attending class, and participating in classroom discussion. Students who miss a class should inform their teachers immediately and report on a different day to gain credit for learning these study skills activities. Middle school students should take good notes, use their textbooks, ask questions, talk to their tutors, form study groups, and stay organized in order to transition to high school.
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