Using a Psychologist to Improve Your Child’s Academic Abilities

A psychologist can help your child improve their grades in several ways.  A proper assessment can determine several factors hindering academic achievement.  Sometimes adjustments can be made such as the psychologist writing a letter to the school to require unlimited testing time, a reader, or other necessary accommodations.  I have been able to make recommendations to testing boards which resulted in students being able to take tests such as the SAT and GRE with extra time allowed and with the utilization of a reader.

Another important part of analyzing a child’s study habits includes learning more about their unique learning style.  This can provide useful information about which study strategies might be the most effective. For example, if a child is a strong auditory learner, they might benefit from recording their class notes on a digital recorder instead of writing notes in class.  If a child tends to be a visual learner, they might benefit from review their course readings, notes and study guides in preparation for a test and by utilizing flashcards for memorization.  

A good school psychologist can also help your child learn memorization techniques that can dramatically improve their grades.  There are a number of effective methods for improving memory which can make your child’s study sessions much more useful. Basic tips such as improving focus, avoiding cram sessions and structuring their study time are a good place to start, but there are even more lessons from psychology that can dramatically improve their learning efficiency.

The study techniques not only differ from student to student but also can vary from one class to another. For example, a statistics class may require more intensive rehearsal and memorization of problems and formulas, while a history course might require more reading and group discussion.

Below are 10 basic study strategies commonly taught to students:

1. Focus your attention on the materials you are studying.

Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from short-term memory into long-term memory, a student needs to actively attend to newly introduced information. Try to have your child study in a place free of distractions such as television, music, and other diversions.

2. Avoid cramming by establishing regular study sessions.

Studying materials over a number of session’s gives students the time they need to adequately process the information. Research has shown that students who study regularly remember the material far better that those did all of their studying in one marathon session.

3. Structure and organize the information you are studying.

Researchers have found that information is organized in memory in related clusters. Students can take advantage of this by structuring and organizing the materials they are studying. Try having your child group similar concepts and terms together, or make an outline of your notes and textbook readings to help group related concepts.

4. Utilize mnemonic devices to remember information.

Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For example, a student might associate a term need to remember with a common item that they are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those that utilize positive imagery, humor, or novelty. You might come up with a rhyme, song, or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.

5. Elaborate and rehearse the information you are studying.

In order to recall information, students need to encode what you are studying into long-term memory. One of the most effective encoding techniques is known as elaborative rehearsal. An example of this technique would be to read the definition of a key term, study the definition of that term, and then read a more detailed description of what that term means. After repeating this process a few times recall of the information will be far better.

6. Relate new information to things you already know.

When students are studying unfamiliar material, have them take the time to think about how this information relates to things that you already know. By establishing relationships between new ideas and previously existing memories, they can dramatically increase the likelihood of recalling the recently learned information.

7. Visualize concepts to improve memory and recall.

Many people benefit greatly from visualizing the information they study.  Have your student pay attention to the photographs, charts, and other graphics in their textbooks.  If they don’t have visual cues to help, have them try creating their own. Students can draw charts or figures in the margins of their notes or use highlighters or pens in different colors to group related ideas in written study materials.

8. Teach new concepts to another person.

Research suggests that reading materials out loud significantly improves memory of the material. Educators and psychologists have also discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall.  Students can use this approach in their own study by teaching new concepts and information to a parent, friend, or study partner.

9. Pay extra attention to difficult information.

Have you ever noticed how it's sometimes easier to remember information at the beginning or end of a chapter? Researchers have found that the position of information can play a role in recall, which is known as the serial position effect. While recalling middle information can be difficult, students can overcome this problem by spending extra time rehearsing this information or try restructuring the information so it will be easier to remember. When students come across an especially difficult concept they should devote some extra time to memorizing the information.

10. Vary your study routine.

Another great way to increase recall is to occasionally change the study routine.  If your child studies in the evening, have them try to spend a few minutes each morning reviewing the information they studied the previous night. By adding an element of novelty to their study sessions, they can increase the effectiveness of their efforts and significantly improve their long-term recall.