RITES’ Proven Study Skills Methodologies Lead to Better Grades and Improved Test Scores

Even if a student is naturally very smart, his or her grades may suffer due to a lack of strong study skills and adequate test preparation. For example, think of the human brain as a muscle that must be properly strengthened and developed, or it can grow weak from lack of exercise. See options below and let us know how RITES can best help your student.

Often, being organized is just as important – or more important – than natural intelligence. A student who knows proper study skills and how to mentally acquire and retain information can approach a test with confidence and ease.

Students with learning differences like ADD can especially benefit from improved organization and study skills. Read on to learn RITES’ time-tested tips and tricks to maximize your mental ability and study smarter. See below to let us know how RITES can best help your student: summer classes or individualized tutoring either year-round or in summer.

Why Do Study Skills Matter?

Good organization and study skills impact not just academic performance, but employment prospects and job success down the road. Someone who already knows how to break a project down into manageable steps and complete them on time is naturally ahead of the game, compared to someone who feels overwhelmed and procrastinates.

Most importantly, you should note: These skills are learned rather than something you are born with. Don’t envy the person who stays on top of it all, for example; instead become that person yourself. And because these skills are used throughout an individual’s life and career, it is best to learn them as early as possible. School is the perfect time to master the organization strategies that will enhance your study skills and test preparation skills.

7 Ways to Train Your Brain to Study Smart

These are RITES’ time-tested strategies for teaching your brain how to stay organized and energized:

1. Put important info on paper to keep it from cluttering up your brain; make lists, take notes, and jot down tasks and assignments in your planner.
2. Set alerts in your smartphone clock/timer that manage time for your projects and activities rather than worrying about timing in your head.
3. Break up big tasks into smaller steps with mini due dates; make large assignments manageable so they feel less daunting.
4. Use rewards to motivate yourself; after you finish a step, give yourself a treat like an exercise or computer break, ice cream, or text a friend.
   
5. Use data-visualization techniques like charts, graphs, diagrams, or grouped index cards to make sense of complex information.
6. Keep your brain properly fueled with healthy nutrition, exercise, frequent breaks, positive self-talk, and goal visualization.
7. Make these steps second nature through repetition, because once your brain is used to the process, it becomes automatic and requires 50% less brainpower than it did in the beginning.

Yes, There are Courses for Improving Study Skills

Study skills are often called “soft skills” because they apply to all different subject areas instead of just one. Because of this, many schools fail to instruct their students in proper study skills and test preparation techniques.

That’s a shame because students who take a study skills class have been shown to have a 45% higher college graduation rate than those who do not. Company CEOs have also been found to attribute 75% of their professional success to “soft skills” rather than technical knowledge or industry expertise, and are looking for employees with similar time management and organizational skills.

Shifting Your Student’s Self-Perception With RITES

When students feel that something important is beyond their power to change, they feel helpless and lacking control. If they believe that academic success is caused purely by natural intelligence or organizational ability, then they won’t feel empowered to improve. Knowing that study skills can be learned – and giving them the tools to do so – can transform their entire life, starting with school and leading well into the future.

Remind yourself, or your child, that the brain is a muscle that can (and should) be exercised, developed, and improved. Then sign up for a study skills course with RITES, and learn how to put these strategies into action.

Study Skills Summer Programs for Junior High & High School

Because study skills and test preparation are essential, in-demand skills, RITES certified teachers offer summer programs for both high school and middle school students living in the Rhode Island area. Whether you reside in Providence, Pawtucket, Barrington, North Providence, Cranston, East Greenwich, or beyond, RITES courses can help you to achieve better grades and higher test scores.

• Study Smarter, Not Harder Plus Writing is a course for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 from August 3-14, weekday mornings in Providence. It costs $580 and teaches junior high students how to balance their busy lives while learning study skills and honing their writing abilities.
• Study Smarter, Not Harder is a summer program for high schoolers entering grades 9 through 12 and runs from August 3-6, in Providence. It costs $350 and teaches clear strategies for staying organized, time management, note-taking, effective listening, and test preparation.

Click here to learn more about RITES Summer Academic Programs.

Tutoring for Study Skills & Test Preparation

If neither of RITES’ summer programs works for your schedule, individual tutoring is also an option. RITES tutors can provide the necessary instruction to help students entering grades 6-12 to develop and strengthen their study skills and test preparation strategies.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Your initial consultation is free
• Our certified teachers have a minimum of ten years of teaching experience
• Individual tutoring costs $60 an hour
• Registration is a once-yearly $25 fee

To request more information about RITES tutoring, fill out the form below or call 401-723-4459:

Rhode Island Tutorial & Educational Services
334 East Avenue – Suite 3 Pawtucket, RI 02860

Speak with a RITES Study Skills Specialist 401-723-4459