"Studying" and "fun" are two words that don't seem to go together well. Teens are likely to view studying as a chore that they'd rather not do. Create an ideal environment for studying and give rewards for good habits to make studying more enjoyable for your teen. Consider his personality type when deciding on ways to make studying fun. Introverted teens might do better studying alone, while extroverted teens might do well studying in a group.
Step 1
Designate a room in your home as a study. Provide a desk or table, comfortable chair, bookshelves, a desk lamp for adequate lighting and homework supplies, such as pens, pencils, rulers and calculators. Hang bulletin boards or set out a desk calendar to help the teen track assignments and exam dates. Keep the area free of distractions, such as a TV or gaming systems.
Step 2
Talk to your teen about selecting his ideal study time. If he seems to hit his stride at night, suggest he study at night. An early-bird teen might prefer to hit the books in the morning before breakfast.
Step 3
Allow the teen to study with friends. He might be more likely to crack open the books in a community setting than alone in his room.
Step 4
Give the teen frequent breaks. After every hour of studying, allow her 15 to 20 minutes to do whatever activity she wants. Allow her to call friends, text, play video games or use the computer.
Step 5
Serve the teen his favorite foods. Snack options include pretzels, fruit salad, crackers, baked chips, yogurt and protein bars. Avoid giving him a large meal during study time since this might make him sleepy.
Step 6
Play music in the background. Some teens do not thrive in a very quiet setting. Letting teens listen to music while they work might actually help their concentration.
Step 7
Reward the teen for a job well done. If his studying pays off and his grades improve, motivate him to continue the habits by giving him a reward. Examples include a trip to a thrill park, tickets to a concert, a new video game or a new piece of clothing.
References
- Child Development Institute: Tips For Helping Kids and Teens With Homework and Study Habits
- Education.com; Homework Happiness: Make Studying Fruitful and Fun; Heather Vale Goss
- Zen College Life: Make Studying Fun with These Break Ideas
- Education.com; Getting Organized: Organizing Your Study Space; Shelley O'Hara
