Where Do I Begin?
Study and Organization Techniques
for Middle School Students
Ginny Sharp, MS Ed, NCC
Hill Middle School
Ginny_Sharp@ipsd.org
Study
Environment!
Quiet environment
Good lighting-no eyestrain
Clear space on desk, table, or counter
Supplies: paper, pencil, calculator,
assignment notebook, dictionary, computer,
printer, eyeglasses, drink, snack, etc.
Storage for supplies near workspace
Study Environment!
Temperature is important
Too cold-thinking slows and may be unclear
Too hot-you might get sleepy
Study Environment!
Freedom from interruptions
Turn off distractions
Time Management!
Plan specific time for studying
Review new content nightly
Have assignments
recorded in assignment
notebook
Time Management!
Prioritize work
Set specific goals
Check assignments off when finished
If you get stuck, ask for help (parent,
sibling, peer, teacher, etc)
Steps for Dealing with Homework!
 Understand what the assignment is and
write it down.
 Take home proper materials
 Follow directions of the assignment
 Remember to bring homework back to
school and turn in to the proper class
Procrastination!
Why does it happen:
Task is too difficult/unpleasant
Fear of failure
Confusion
Disinterest
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty setting priorities
Fatigue
Procrastination Solutions!
Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself
Ask for help ( parent, sibling, peer, teacher)
Assistance with priority setting/Feedback
Reward yourself when task is completed
Set study time when you are at your best
Break tasks into small chunks
Take breaks
Do unpleasant tasks first
Improve Concentration
When
Studying!
Relax
Clear your mind of worrisome thoughts
Monitor your thoughts while working to make
sure you stay on task
Relate what you are studying to your own life
Make the content meaningful
Think about new content covered in class
Review/highlight your notes
SMART Goal Setting!
What are you going to do and how are you
going to do it?
Specific (I will do…)
Measurable (check it off)
Achievable(is it realistic for me to be able to
do it-like learn to spell 3 new words a day)
Relevant(is this important to learning)
Timely (timeline, deadline)
During Class!
Connect new information with prior knowledge
Monitor my focus on classroom tasks
Participate/Ask ?
Take notes on the main points of discussions
Listen for key words (“this is important,
remember this, this is likely to be on the test”)
Write down the assignment
The Pitcher & The Catcher!
Think of it this way:
The teacher is the pitcher
The student is the catcher.
Important information
You need to catch the important
information the teacher is
pitching your way
After Class!
Review your notes and think about
what was covered in class
Rewrite or add to your notes as you study
Some people like to underline or highlight
important ideas and vocabulary
Have a system to track
important papers
Remembering!
Study regularly-avoid cramming
Rehearse the information you are studying
Organize the information by connecting it
to prior knowledge
Visualize what you are trying to learn
Acronyms-Example: Order of Operations PEMDAS
Parenthesis | Exponents | Multiplication | Division | Addition | Subtraction
Make Flash Cards out of key information
Organizing your Binder!
Pencil bag-pencils, pens, post-its, highlighters
Label pocket folder/dividers with subject names
Use different colors for different subjects
Homework folder
Paper
Sheet protectors
3-ring hole punch
Assignment notebook
Backpack!
When arriving home put it in your workspace
Pack it up as soon as you finish your
homework
Put it near the front door to grab on your way
to school
During the school day, put things in it that
need to go home
Clean it out regularly
Locker Organization
 Use metal mini-shelves for books,
shoes, sports equipment
Organize books in order they are used
during the day
Use hooks for coat, backpack, lunchbox,
purse, etc
Magnetic accessories: mirror, corkboard,
whiteboard, pencil holder
Emergency supplies: Kleenex, hand
sanitizer, deodorant, post-its, pencils, pens,
scissors, ruler,
Clean out twice monthly
Locker Problems
 Cramming stuff in your locker leads
to locker jams
Old food in your locker gets moldy
Puffy coats do not fit
Graded papers make lockers clutteredtake them home
Cash, IPods, calculators get stolenkeep them on you, whenever possible
Keep your locker locked and
do not share your combination
The END