This post is part 3 of a 3-part series. Check out our previous posts if you missed Reason #1 and Reason #2.
REASON #3 WHY A HARD-WORKING STUDENT ISN’T SUCCEEDING:
They don’t make study time their “focus time.”
Think back to a day at work when you were just unstoppable. You got so much done, you were amazed at the quantity and quality. I bet that day at work, you weren’t constantly checking emails, going to meetings, or having people “drop in” to your office. Those days stick out for a lot of people, because we find ourselves constantly interrupted (or we are subconsciously seeking out interruptions!) that cause us to get off track of our important work.
Students experience exactly the same thing. If you were to watch the majority of students study, it doesn’t look like an uninterrupted flow state. What it looks like is reading for a couple of minutes, and then checking their phone/computer/getting up to get a snack/etc. It takes time to get into a groove when it comes to doing any kind of thinking work…it only takes a few seconds to knock you out of it.
The key is to consciously set up a time and place that is devoid of distractions. Phone put away or on airplane mode. A great option for families is the “Forest” app on ios/android. Turn it on as a group to hold each other accountable for not touching the phone for a period of time. Schedule study time, get all materials and information ready beforehand, and commit to doing nothing but studying for the full period of time (even if it is a short period of time). If students practice spending their time exactly as they intended, they’ll not only see their grades improve, but they’ll gain a skill that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
Related posts:
- 3 Reasons Why A Hard-Working Student Isn’t Succeeding (Part 1)
- 3 Reasons Why A Hard-Working Student Isn’t Succeeding (Part 2)
Is your son or daughter struggling without knowing what they are doing wrong? Give us a call, and we’ll help find the solution for their academic difficulties.
