But research shows this isn’t so.

The best students have developed a plan for studying smarter, not longer. Their plan usually includes or addresses these things:

• A list of all course subjects that doubles as an assignment sheet—with places to note work to be done and due dates.
• Schedule of extracurricular activities—volunteering, soccer, etc.—and how much time each takes each day.
• Stated goals for learning in each subject.
• Amount of time to be spent on each subject.
• A designated time to start homework each night.
• Daily calendar for scheduling all activities.
• Books to bring home on different nights.
• A place to do homework, free of distractions.
• Keeping pens, paper, scissors, dictionaries and other needed supplies at hand.
• Where to get help if needed (homework hotlines, smart peers, library, etc.).

Suggest your child make her own plan for smart studying. Since it will spell out what needs to be done, she can sign it like a contract.

If she goes by her plan, her reward will be better grades. But you might also offer incentives for sticking to the plan.

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