They’re like the military commander who develops a plan of attack.

Similarly, successful students have a study plan.

Parents can help teens plan their study time by encouraging them to consider:

• When they should study. It’s best when students study every day. If there is no assignment, students can review.

• How long they should study. To figure this, teens can record how long they usually spend on each assignment. Then they can use this information to “guestimate” how long they should study on average. With your teen, decide on a minimum amount of time to study each night.

• When they will take study breaks. Teens with no learning problems can usually concentrate for a least 30 minutes before they need a break.

• Where they should study. Ideally, it’s a place free of distractions and equipped with pencils, paper, a dictionary and other necessary study tools.

• What subjects they should study first, second, third, etc. To prioritize, students consider which assignment is due first and which is most important. Or they might tackle the easiest or the hardest assignment first to increase confidence.

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