Parents, this questionnaire will help you understand effective study habits for kids

Arul and Ananya were good friends who studied in class 9. While Ananya usually topped the class in all subjects, Arul proved to be average in his studies. His teachers always felt that Arul could do better and that he had a lot more potential in him. Therefore, they suggested that Arul's parents take him to an academic counselor. During the discussions with the counselor, they realized that Arul's poor study habits prevented him from performing well in his studies, though he was actually quite brilliant. Two months of improving Arul's study habits helped him top the class.

If you think your child is also like Arul - has a lot of potential, but doesn't perform well in his studies - it is high time you helped him develop good study habits.

This questionnaire will help you understand whether your child has good study habits or not.

1. Does your child set aside time for studying every day?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

2. Does your child have the habit of revising portions studied?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

3. Does your child get doubts cleared as and when they arise?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

4. Does your child ensure she/he understands the lessons to be learnt?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

5. Does your child refer to study material other than school textbooks? 

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

6. Does your child sit in a quiet private place to study?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

7. Does your child make timetables for studying and follow them?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

8. Does your child practice taking timed mock tests before appearing for an exam?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

9. Does your child make notes, mind-maps and cues while studying?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

10. Does your child avoid distractions of all kinds during study hours?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Always

Scorecard

• Maximum number of always - Your child has excellent study habits. Encourage him/her to keep going!
• Maximum number of sometimes- Your child has good study habits. Motivate him/her to strive for excellence!
• Maximum number of rarely- Your child has average study habits. It's time to take it to the next level.
• Maximum number of never- Your child's study habits are below average and need improvement. It's time to buck up!

Key constituents of good study habits

• Regular study hours
• Regular place for study that is free of distractions
• Study devices such as note-making and note-taking
• Memory devices such as mnemonics
• Recall and Revision