They figure as long

as they read their assignment, the information will somehow magically get into their head. But most of us never have to take a test on last night’s TV show.

Here are some study secrets successful students know:

• Get involved. Studying isn’t a passive activity. Before your child starts studying, have him make some predictions. What is this chapter likely to cover? What does he already know about the subject? What does he want to learn?

• Get organized. It’s hard to study if you have to spend 15 minutes hunting for a pen. It’s even harder to study if you left the things you need at school.

At home, have one place where school supplies stay between study sessions. And help your child get in the habit of writing down every assignment. Then, each night before coming home, check the assignment notebook to see what needs to go in the backpack.

• Ask questions. Successful students ask questions. Before they read an assignment, they ask themselves what they think might be covered. After they read an assignment, they ask questions to make sure they understood. In class, they ask the teacher questions.

• Make it a habit. There are days when good students don’t want to study. But they do it anyway because they know it’s important to study every day.

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