As a parent, you want to ensure your child is in the best position to succeed and excel academically.
You want to leave no stone unturned, be it looking for secondary school fees in Singapore for the best IB international school or helping your child to manage their study time effectively.
However, you may notice that your child struggles with procrastination when studying. They may put off assignments until the last minute, cram for exams, or even avoid studying altogether.
This can be frustrating for both you and your child, but there are effective ways to overcome study procrastination.
In this article, we will share tips and strategies that you can use to help your child overcome procrastination and develop good study habits that will serve them well throughout their academic career. Read on to know more.
Tip #1: Create a Schedule
A set schedule can promote healthy study habits and reduce the stress of last-minute cramming sessions. It also lets your child prioritise tasks, including breaks and leisure activities.
Involve your child in creating the schedule so that they feel ownership over it. Ask them what times of day they feel most productive and when they prefer to take breaks. By doing so, you will ensure that the schedule is tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
However, remember that unexpected events may arise, so allow for flexibility in the schedule. The goal is not to add extra stress but promote healthy study habits.
Tip #2: Remove Distractions
Distractions are a common source of procrastination. To reduce the likelihood of being distracted, consider removing any items that may cause distractions in your child’s study space. This includes phones, video games, and even TVs.
Furthermore, encourage your child to take regular breaks and reward them for doing so. This will help keep their mind fresh and focused on their assignments.
Tip #3: Set Goals
Setting goals can be a great motivator when it comes to avoiding procrastination.
Furthermore, remind your child to celebrate their successes, big or small. Acknowledging progress encourages them to keep going and stay motivated.
Tip #4: Use Positive Self-Talk
We can all be guilty of self-criticism occasionally, but it’s important not to let negative thoughts derail productivity.
Encourage your child to practice positive self-talk instead; for example, reinforcing phrases like “I am capable” or “I can do this” when feeling overwhelmed or anxious about an assignment.
Positive affirmations boost confidence and provide a sense of control in your life. This will enable a child to complete their assignments and do further study with better focus.
Tip #5: Break Tasks Into Smaller Chunks
Breaking large assignments into smaller tasks can make them more manageable and less daunting.
Encourage your child to break down larger tasks into small achievable steps. Taking things one step at a time will help avoid feeling overwhelmed and reduce procrastination.
Tip #6: Make Them Take Breaks
Taking regular breaks is an important part of studying effectively and avoiding burnout. After all, it can be difficult to stay focused when studying for long periods.
Encourage your child to take a break and engage in other activities for a few minutes. This could be anything from taking a short walk to stretching or playing with the family pet.
Tip #7: Find an Accountability Partner
Finding someone in the same academic boat can help keep your child on track and motivated.
An accountability partner regularly checks how your child is doing with their studies. It could be a friend or classmate, though it might also be helpful to find someone with similar goals as yours. They could provide some encouragement during procrastination and helpful advice when needed to your child.
Tip #8: Reward Successes
Rewarding success not only keeps motivation up but helps to reinforce positive study habits. Celebrate small wins with a personal reward such as watching a movie, playing their favourite game, or treating themselves to something special.
By doing this, your child will be more likely to stay on track and maintain focus for longer periods.
Final Word
With the right strategies and guidance from parents, children can learn how to avoid procrastination and reach their academic goals. Following these eight tips above can help your child develop healthy study habits in secondary school and beyond.
