Online Study SKills class for teens? Need organization help

[scottmel]

hi there. DD14 is entering highschool this fall. Her current school is very academically challenging and she found herself a bit disorganized in 8th grade and investing the time in studying but not being organized/focused etc. Anyone know of an online course or workbook or anything that she could take to help prepare her for highschool?

I saw http://www.success4students.com/main/parents.2.asp
but not sure if it is any good etc...

Thanks!

 

[vicki_c]

Does your school district participate in the AVID program? Sounds like that would be helpful for her. My son has been in AVID all through middle school and has helped with his organization and executive skills a lot. He will be continuing with it in high school.

http://www.avid.org/abo_whatisavid.html

Note - in reading the description, you might feel that it doesn't sound like an appropriate fit for your child since it talks a lot about lower-income students, first child in the family to go to college, etc. but in our district, it is used less for those reasons than for organizational skills help, motivation, self-confidence, etc. I live in a relatively affluent school district and it still a heavily used program in our schools and our county.

 

[scottmel]

Thanks Vicki. No I never heard of it and nor does our school provide ANY type of organization classes. The entire school is AP and I think they think the kids just need to get organized. I have argued no matter WHAT your IQ it may not matter if you can't keep yourself organized....I will review the site, since we are private, I doubt we have funding for it however something along those lines is what is really needed!!!!! Thanks!

 

[tcufrog]

I don't have advice for study skills but one thing a lot of high school and college students are bad at is keep their papers organized. I highly recommend getting her a file cabinet, hanging file folders and the student version of the file system on this website. http://www.filesolutions.com/ I bought the system when I was in high school and found it to be invaluable in high school and college. When I got my first apartment I got the homeowners version and still use it 14 years later.

I would also look at her study environment. Does she have a place to study at home that encourages focus? Is she getting distracted by her phone, computer, tv? How well organized is she in other areas of her life such as keeping an organized calendar? Does she get to places on time without help?

 

[vicki_c]

PS - hi Mel - I didn't even realize it was you that asked the question! Good luck with finding something. We still struggle with this aspect of things, even with the extra help.

 

[Granny square]

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1050

My kids all did this program. It usually goes on sale in August for $50.

 

[scottmel]

I don't have advice for study skills but one thing a lot of high school and college students are bad at is keep their papers organized. I highly recommend getting her a file cabinet, hanging file folders and the student version of the file system on this website. http://www.filesolutions.com/ I bought the system when I was in high school and found it to be invaluable in high school and college. When I got my first apartment I got the homeowners version and still use it 14 years later.

I would also look at her study environment. Does she have a place to study at home that encourages focus? Is she getting distracted by her phone, computer, tv? How well organized is she in other areas of her life such as keeping an organized calendar? Does she get to places on time without help?

Fantastic! Will order that system today. The one you are referring to is the 19.95 one right? Then I just get a cute file cabinet and put these folders in that cabinet correct? Standard file cabinet? I was watching her unload her binders and she has 8 finals in the next 2 weeks and math papers are stuffed in a biology folder and English is in latin and physics test from the year are just MISSING. I am so highly organized it is hard to witness this! Love the folder idea...thanks! Just confirm with me that I got the right set and it is just the files...

 

[scottmel]

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1050

My kids all did this program. It usually goes on sale in August for $50.

Thanks! Would you be so kind to direct me to the exact program? I looked at the site and there are many different options...the one I would need is for a 14 year old . What I am seeing is course specific unless I am missing the obvious which is possible for sure!

 

[Granny square]

"How to become a superstar student"

It is actually more about learning how to get the most from their classes and be able to use it in tests, etc.

But I love everything we have bought there. In August they put all of their high school stuff on sale. Big time.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Thanks! Would you be so kind to direct me to the exact program? I looked at the site and there are many different options...the one I would need is for a 14 year old . What I am seeing is course specific unless I am missing the obvious which is possible for sure!

The link goes to a single course: How to Become a SuperStar Student, 2nd Edition. There are a number of lessons that make up that course.

 

[scottmel]

The link goes to a single course: How to Become a SuperStar Student, 2nd Edition. There are a number of lessons that make up that course.

Wonderful! Now I get it...thanks! I will wait for August though for the 50.00 sale!!! Ordered my file system going to get a file cabinet this week. She has to do work over the summer for English and Science and an online math class so I would like to have all this set up when we get back from Disney. Just an hour a day will keep her straight until fall starts. Last year we turned one of the spare bedrooms into something out of a Pottery Barn Teen CAtalog. BIG MISTAKE. I dont' think she was mature enough or knew how to time manage well enough. By Christmas she was back downstairs in the dining room. Too many distractions upstairs etc. She is a good hard working student that puts the hours in but I think if she were more focused the hours would be FEWER!!!

So glad I posted. Keep an ideas coming. I am very much a DO'ER and appreciate every single post.

 

[tcufrog]

Yes, it's the 19.95 one. It will come with preprinted labels and empty labels and will divide her papers into four color coded categories. It's a intuitive system and easy to use. Some of my file folders still have the same labels on them from when I first set up the system because the homeowner's system integrates with the student system. If you run out of labels you can order more without ordering the entire system.

A standard file cabinet or file box with handing file folders is what she needs. You want the hanging file folders with the tabs that go three across. I would help her set the system up and help her at first with the filing until she gets used to it. She needs to develop the habit of filing her papers as soon as she gets home so she doesn't forget. When she goes to college she'll also be able to use the system to keep track of bills, medical papers, etc.

Does she have a desk or other distraction free space where she does her homework? I'm talking about a place free of tv, phone, and ideally free of the computer or tablet until she gets to the homework that requires the computer. I like laptops over desktop computers because parents can take them away if they are a distraction. It may be that doing that will go a long way towards helping her study without distraction.

My son has ADHD. He's intellectually gifted and the homework he has is easy for him. He had trouble doing it though without me constantly riding him when he was downstairs even at the dining table away from the main action. My activities and his younger brother's activities were too distracting. Once I bought him a desk for his bedroom, which is media free, that changed. After a little unwinding time after school he takes his homework upstairs and does it completely and efficiently without any intervention from me. He stocked his desk with school supplies and has a dictionary, calculator and thesaurus in his room. I thought the books and toys in his room would distract him but apparently having a quiet desk area (including the wall above it) free of clutter or distraction was exactly what he needed. He's too young to have a file cabinet but once he gets a little older I plan to start him using that system.

 

[scottmel]

Yes, it's the 19.95 one. It will come with preprinted labels and empty labels and will divide her papers into four color coded categories. It's a intuitive system and easy to use. Some of my file folders still have the same labels on them from when I first set up the system because the homeowner's system integrates with the student system. If you run out of labels you can order more without ordering the entire system.

A standard file cabinet or file box with handing file folders is what she needs. You want the hanging file folders with the tabs that go three across. I would help her set the system up and help her at first with the filing until she gets used to it. She needs to develop the habit of filing her papers as soon as she gets home so she doesn't forget. When she goes to college she'll also be able to use the system to keep track of bills, medical papers, etc.

Does she have a desk or other distraction free space where she does her homework? I'm talking about a place free of tv, phone, and ideally free of the computer or tablet until she gets to the homework that requires the computer. I like laptops over desktop computers because parents can take them away if they are a distraction. It may be that doing that will go a long way towards helping her study without distraction.

My son has ADHD. He's intellectually gifted and the homework he has is easy for him. He had trouble doing it though without me constantly riding him when he was downstairs even at the dining table away from the main action. My activities and his younger brother's activities were too distracting. Once I bought him a desk for his bedroom, which is media free, that changed. After a little unwinding time after school he takes his homework upstairs and does it completely and efficiently without any intervention from me. He stocked his desk with school supplies and has a dictionary, calculator and thesaurus in his room. I thought the books and toys in his room would distract him but apparently having a quiet desk area (including the wall above it) free of clutter or distraction was exactly what he needed. He's too young to have a file cabinet but once he gets a little older I plan to start him using that system.

Super. Thanks. Just ordered it. Found a really cute file cabinet at PB TEEN in white that looks like a stacked locker however I like your idea of a filing box. I remember PB TEEN had polka dot ones that were fabric and stacked. Do you think this would suffice meaning the boxes are pretty portable so long as they are standard file size boxes. Might be better than a big heavy file cabinet? Not sure which looks visually "neater" - ie. easier to do. Am thinking the fabric box is portable enough you could grab and go and not have to make a trip upstairs every time you want to file something. Believe me I know how she operates! LOL!

She can't do work in her room. I have found her upside down off the bed playing a guitar or laying in a bean bag staring at the ceiling. She does better with a little background noise like music or when "busy" - i.e flipping thru latin notecards or writing a paper. Just can't seem to sit and STUDY still. this hasn't been a problem in the past at all - just this year. More courses more scrambling for things misplacing assignments etc. She gets it all done and amazingly is on the honor roll etc. but I can't help but think there is a better way to do all of this. Sitting at the dining room table seems to keep her more focused - background noise of me, some music, etc.

I can't find the fabric box to which I am wanting to get...will look on line but you do think the fabric box is good enough vs. the cabinet?

 

[scottmel]

PS - hi Mel - I didn't even realize it was you that asked the question! Good luck with finding something. We still struggle with this aspect of things, even with the extra help.

Hi there!! Planning another trip soon?????? I always think of you during my 09 June trip how miserably hot we were....Yet I endure it june after june!!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Super. Thanks. Just ordered it. Found a really cute file cabinet at PB TEEN in white that looks like a stacked locker however I like your idea of a filing box. I remember PB TEEN had polka dot ones that were fabric and stacked. Do you think this would suffice meaning the boxes are pretty portable so long as they are standard file size boxes. Might be better than a big heavy file cabinet? Not sure which looks visually "neater" - ie. easier to do. Am thinking the fabric box is portable enough you could grab and go and not have to make a trip upstairs every time you want to file something. Believe me I know how she operates! LOL!

She can't do work in her room. I have found her upside down off the bed playing a guitar or laying in a bean bag staring at the ceiling. She does better with a little background noise like music or when "busy" - i.e flipping thru latin notecards or writing a paper. Just can't seem to sit and STUDY still. this hasn't been a problem in the past at all - just this year. More courses more scrambling for things misplacing assignments etc. She gets it all done and amazingly is on the honor roll etc. but I can't help but think there is a better way to do all of this. Sitting at the dining room table seems to keep her more focused - background noise of me, some music, etc.

I can't find the fabric box to which I am wanting to get...will look on line but you do think the fabric box is good enough vs. the cabinet?

I'm going to try the online class for my DD, too (she starts HS in the fall as well). I'm also going to look at apps that might be able to use on her smartphone to help her with scheduling and homework assignments, etc.

For the filing, you might want to check Target. I've been able to get fabric storage crates there (not specifically for file folders). Or just pick up the old plastic storage crates. If you do want a 2-drawer filing cabinet, check your local thrift store. I was at ours this weekend and they had several for a decent price. I'm not sure DD would be able to use one -- her room is always so crowded that I don't know if she'd be able to open the drawers!

I've had problems with my kids and desks, too. Both have had desks, never used them. Ever, except as a flat surface to create piles and "hot spots" of clutter. Wonder whether it's a generational thing. While I would often do homework on the sofa in front of the TV in the afternoons, after dinner I would always go to my desk and do the rest (or special projects, etc.).

Good luck!

 

[tcufrog]

I think a file crate or sturdy file box would be sufficient to start especially since she might not have enough space for a filing cabinet when she goes to college. Make sure the file box is sturdy and can hold plenty of heavy files. I had a pretty one from Target that I was using for action files break on me after a couple of months because it wasn't very sturdy.

 

[mongol]

There are plenty information in the web, it's not necessary to attend courses. Read some blogs or some sort of research works of profs.