Organization is key to good study habits. A daily planner or assignment notebook can help students keep assignments and due dates organized. Many schools require these, but they are a great study aid to use even if not required. Middle school students should get in the habit of recording every assignment and due date in them. By mapping out their assignments for the week, students can see how much work needs to get done and mange their time accordingly.
Students should set up a consistent study location that is comfortable and free of distractions. This area must be well-lit and equipped with everything needed, such as pencils, a sharpener and a calculator. Some students also find it helpful to designate a consistent time to get their studies done, such as immediately after school or after dinner. The Chicago Public Schools suggest middle school students allocate 90 to 120 minutes per day for studying.
Study groups can also be an effective study aid for middle school students, suggests the education experts at Math & Reading Help. One student might be able to fill another student in on missed details or demonstrate a different way to approach a problem. Discussions, especially for literature projects, can help students work out themes, symbolism and important plot points.
Instead of just reading over notes, creating an outline or a visual representation of notes taken during class can offer a useful study aid. Students can also create their own study guides using notes, textbooks and other reference materials. The process of organizing the material helps students think through and remember what they have been told or have read.
Sometimes memorization is key, for example remembering historical dates or learning vocabulary words. Students can create their own flashcards and quiz themselves. Other mnemonic devices, like acronyms, can be useful, suggests Bright Hub Education. For example, the name Roy G. Biv is an acronym for the colors in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.