Doing Homework vs. Studying

[Luv Bunnies]

I'm trying to get my high school freshman out of the mindset of "doing homework" and more into "studying." He spends 10 minutes at the table, says, "Done!" and packs up for the next day. I asked him what he did and he says, "There were only five questions to answer for bio. It was easy." I say, "OK, but did you study?" He says, "Huh?"

I tell him he needs to review any notes he took during the day. Make sure he can read them while the information is still fresh in his mind. If there's no actual homework due in math, look at the text for the unit he's working on. Is he getting it or does he need help? Look over any tests or assignments he got back and take note of anything he got wrong. It might be on the final. Keep practicing the basic words and phrases he's learned in Spanish. They will be on the final, and it's easier to keep up with them than re-learn them in December. Look at dates for upcoming assignments and projects. Is there anything he can be doing now? Does he need any supplies for upcoming projects? I don't want to hear the night before that he needs a red beret and a parrot (yes, he actually needs those for next week!).

I think he's slowly realizing that high school is different than middle school, and that it's preparing him for college. His grades are good so far, but he needs to step it up. It's only going to get more difficult!

 

[Southernmiss]

I'm trying to get my high school freshman out of the mindset of "doing homework" and more into "studying." He spends 10 minutes at the table, says, "Done!" and packs up for the next day. I asked him what he did and he says, "There were only five questions to answer for bio. It was easy." I say, "OK, but did you study?" He says, "Huh?"

I tell him he needs to review any notes he took during the day. Make sure he can read them while the information is still fresh in his mind. If there's no actual homework due in math, look at the text for the unit he's working on. Is he getting it or does he need help? Look over any tests or assignments he got back and take note of anything he got wrong. It might be on the final. Keep practicing the basic words and phrases he's learned in Spanish. They will be on the final, and it's easier to keep up with them than re-learn them in December. Look at dates for upcoming assignments and projects. Is there anything he can be doing now? Does he need any supplies for upcoming projects? I don't want to hear the night before that he needs a red beret and a parrot (yes, he actually needs those for next week!).

I think he's slowly realizing that high school is different than middle school, and that it's preparing him for college. His grades are good so far, but he needs to step it up. It's only going to get more difficult!

It is a process. Especially if they haven't had to study hard before now.

Our freshman had a couple of grades in his AP human geography class that were not easy As. With a discussion and that grade I think he gets it better now. I discussed studying techniques with him and suggested a few things that had worked for me. He did get an A in there for the first nine weeks but it's an adjustment.

One of my pet peeves with my kids is when I ask 'Do you have any homework?' They say 'No.' Then later they ask me to help them study for a test.'But I thought you had no homework. I don't but I do have a test.' Why don't they consider studying for a test homework??

 

[timmac]

I agree, at least on a basic level, that studying needs to be considered part of doing homework, particularly in the "I have a test tomorrow" example. That said, OP suggests that grades are good thus far, but he "needs to step it up".

I'm not sure I agree... what the reason to believe in this stepping it up? If he already understands the material, even with only minimal homework, continued "studying" is likely to do little besides frustrate him.

 

[mrsklamc]

Why don't they consider studying for a test homework??

I don't consider studying for a test homework. IMO, homework is something that has to be turned in; which is not at all to say that studying isn't important, just that I wouldn't refer to it as homework, either.

 

[okeydokey]

We have the same conversations in my house. Add to that the talk that the twenty minutes of instrument practice a day that the band director assigns should be considered "real" homework as well.

 

[sonnyjane]

Wow! Interesting. I did homework when I had homework and I studied when there was a test coming up, but I didn't "study" every night if that makes sense? I've been out of high school for 12 years now and out of college for 9 years but that's just how it was - you do your assignments that are turned in and then you study in the days leading up to an exam. I think that I study best when I actually have something to study for as opposed to just being told to do it. In other words, if I know there's a test, then I would be more apt to take the studying seriously. I wouldn't use the word "study" if I was just reviewing material for the day or doing homework. To me, "study" means specifically preparing for an exam. I'd imagine most kids these days have a similar interpretation of those terms?

 

[sonnyjane]

I don't consider studying for a test homework. IMO, homework is something that has to be turned in; which is not at all to say that studying isn't important, just that I wouldn't refer to it as homework, either.

Yup, this!

 

[lauradis]

Change your wording to school work not home work, that helped my oldest to mentally include studying and homework into one catch word.

Plus we do assignment calendars. Where all test, homework, assignments, school activities are listed.

Our 5th grader is learning to us her's ugh. It gets checked first thing when we get home.

Do ask them if they like money and what they want when they grow up too .

This one helped middle child to relate school work into reality of long term life goals.

Don't you just hate the Idk, no , nevermind answers teens give us.

Good luck

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Wow! Interesting. I did homework when I had homework and I studied when there was a test coming up, but I didn't "study" every night if that makes sense? I've been out of high school for 12 years now and out of college for 9 years but that's just how it was - you do your assignments that are turned in and then you study in the days leading up to an exam. I think that I study best when I actually have something to study for as opposed to just being told to do it. In other words, if I know there's a test, then I would be more apt to take the studying seriously. I wouldn't use the word "study" if I was just reviewing material for the day or doing homework. To me, "study" means specifically preparing for an exam. I'd imagine most kids these days have a similar interpretation of those terms?

Ditto. I never spend time every day (or regularly) reviewing notes or course work...that was something I did in the days leading up to a test or exam both in HS and college. It would be a nice habit to get your child into, though, if time allows. Less cramming for exams the night before.

 

[Fortuosity]

Sorry, no advice. Just a cautionary tale.

I didn't do either back in the day, and grew up to be the pathetic loser my mum always feared I'd become.

What is it they say? If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning?

You might say I resemble that remark.

Good luck to you and your young'un.

 

[sonnyjane]

Sorry, no advice. Just a cautionary tale. I didn't do either back in the day, and grew up to be the pathetic loser my mum always feared I'd become. What is it they say? If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning? You might say I resemble that remark. Good luck to you and your young'un.

Gosh that's depressing and hopefully not true. I only studied right before exams and ended up Valedictorian in HS and on the Dean's List in college (admittedly I partied a little too hard in college though). People vary. If struggling then sure, try to review more often, but if doing fine then I'd say continue doing what works. I'd only put pressure on if grades started slipping. Nothing makes something less appealing as a teen than being pressured to do it by your parents.

 

[luvmy3]

I've found with my own dd now that she is in HS its too late to develop good study habits. We had an awful time last year getting her to study for her Regents last year. Luckily she is an A student so I don't pressure her for regular tests, just the Regents. She knows the consequences if she does poorly on them so the ball is in her court. If I was grooming her for Ivy League school I'd probably feel different.