Students are often told to study, but it is not always clear what that means. Study is more than completing work that has been sent home. It is the process of revisiting classroom learning, making sense of it and using strategies that help the information stay in the memory.

Study and homework are different

Homework is generally a task set by a teacher to be completed by a particular date. Study is more self-directed. It may involve summarising a topic, checking that key ideas are understood, practising a skill or reviewing information so it can be recalled later. This means a student may have no homework due but can still benefit from studying.

What does effective study look like?

Effective study is active. Rather than only rereading notes, students can create a short summary in their own words, make flashcards, practise questions, explain a concept aloud or ask someone to quiz them. Different subjects may need different approaches, for example, reviewing formulas and working through examples in Mathematics, or summarising themes and characters in English.

How parents can help

Parents do not need to become the teacher. You can support your child by helping them set a clear goal for each study session, talking through what they have learnt or acting as the quizmaster. Encourage short, regular review rather than waiting until the night before a test. Most importantly, remind your child that study is a skill that develops with practice. The aim is not simply to spend time at a desk, but to finish with a stronger understanding of what they know, what they can do and what they still need to practise.