There are a number of things that influence studying and some are listed here:

Learning style

We all have different ways in which we learn best.  I might need an area with absolutely no noise, while you might study best with music playing in the background.  Consider the following:

 

Hearing: 

What level and what kind of noise can you tolerate? Do you work best in total silence or with a low to moderate noise level? You may be able to concentrate rather well with a jack hammer right outside your window, but a leaky faucet may be intolerable! As a general rule, quieter is better, but listen and decide for yourself.

 

Sight: 

Adequate lighting is a must, and the direction and intensity of the lighting are important factors. Poor lighting is a chief cause of eyestrain and headaches among students, and improper lighting also leads to fatigue. Coverage of study materials should be even with no shadows or glare. Shielded full-spectrum fluorescents may cause you to be calmer, steadier, and less easily distracted.  Another "sight" consideration is the level of movement in your study area. Studying where everyone is passing may be a distraction.

 

Touch: 

Your environment should be comfortable but not too comfortable. Slight amounts of muscular tension have been found to increase efficiency and accuracy in mental work. A chair which promotes good posture is a better choice than a recliner.  Taste and Smell: Beware of appealing aromas (such as the smell of food coming from a nearby kitchen) in the immediate vicinity of your study environment. Such distractions, though pleasant, may interfere with concentration. A move to another area might allow for more efficient use of time.

 

Learning Resources: 

Accumulate the necessary resources—texts, notebooks, pens, etc. before you begin to study. Plan ahead if an assignment requires the use of a book or tool that you do not have or if you have.

 

Speaking of resources, do you find yourself with junk food on hand when studying? Constant nibbling is not only bad for your waistline but also distracts you from studying. Furthermore, a "sugar fix" creates a temporary high, but sugar metabolizes rapidly and you soon "crash" and become drowsy. Try having fresh fruits and vegetables, handy, but save munching time for a study break. Reward yourself with a nutritious snack for your hard work.

 

In summary, remember that there is no one best study environment. Determine your best place by being aware of your learning style, the learning tasks, and the required learning resources. Have one regular place to study which offers minimum of distractions.

 

Goals

To succeed during any level of school, developing clear goals is a necessity.  When you have goals, it is easier to focus on your school work because you know what you are working toward.

 

The effectiveness of an education program can often be improved when appropriate goals are set in place by students. There are a multitude of benefits that exist for students when specific learning goals are set.  Every student should set his/her own goals.   Think about what you want to achieve during the term and set your goals at the beginning of the term.   Think about and write down how you plan to achieve your goals and pin it up in a place where you see it often.

 

Time Management

It is also helpful to learn time management skills. These skills will help you to meet the educational goals you have set for yourself.   By managing your time effectively, you will be able to study when you need to, complete your homework by its due date, and prepare for exams.

 

Children who do extra curricular activities usually learn time management skills.  Time Management is extremely important in succeeding at school and children need to learn how to utilise their time for their best performance.

 

Some things children can think about is using time at school when there is no class to study or using time while having to wait on a pick up to do some extra reading.  Some times school gets cancel or get out earlier than usual and this is a great opportunity to finish a project or go over an area of weakness.

 

Time management is not just beneficial to children at school, but it is a skill that they would carry through life.

 

Motivation

One of the best ways to ensure that you succeed in school is to find sources of motivation. There are two main types of motivation: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

 

Intrinsic motivation involves internal motivators, such as the desire to do well for your own pleasure and this is the best motivation.  Get your child to want to do well for him or herself and help them to understand what doing well means for their future.

 

This is sometimes the best motivator for poor children.  Let them focus on getting out of poverty or their hardship by sacrificing now and studying hard.

 

Extrinsic motivation involves external motivators, such as rewards for good grades. Students can benefit from both types of motivation, but students with intrinsic motivation tend to perform better than students who rely on only extrinsic motivation.