Finals Week - Study Break Ideas

I have two sons. One is in college on semester break and he took his finals before the break. My other son is in high school and is taking final exams next week, two weeks after winter break. I don't understand why some high schools, like his, have students take exams after the winter break. It seems to me to make so much more sense to have the students take their exams before the winter break. I know the administration can figure out how to make this happen by adjusting the semester and vacation schedules and still get in the 180 days of required instruction. Why they haven't done this is a mystery to me. Perhaps they should take a poll of parents and students and get some feedback? I'll bet the majority would be in favor of the exam schedule shifting back before the winter break.

Whether that happens or not, students still need to study for final exams if they want to pass them.

My advice to all teens (and adults!) studying for finals is:

"Take lots of breaks. Get up often and stretch, hydrate, walk around, get some exercise. Don't try to sit for hours at a time. Eat well. Sleep."

My post below is from a guest blogger with advice about taking breaks from homework and studying.

Lenore Holditch writes for numerous education resource websites, including www.TopOnlineColleges.com. Although she covers a wide range of topics related to learning, Lenore especially enjoys writing about recent trends in education and ways parents can supplement their child’s schooling at home. Please leave your questions or comments for her below!

5 Breaks from Homework that Reboot the Brain 

by Lenore Holditch

Homework breaks are typical for kids who have several assignments to complete every night. Although these breaks aren’t very long, most kids still look for ways to fill the time, often by watching television or playing video games. There are better ways to spend this time, though. Ways that actually work to a student’s advantage by reenergizing their mind and strengthening practical skills. 

Listed below are five..    

1. Go for a walk or a bike ride: Exercise is one of the best ways to recharge the brain after a long day of school and homework. If the weather is nice, let your child take a 30-minute break from homework to go for a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood. You can tag along, too, for a little extra exercise, and don’t forget any pets that might enjoy a little outdoor time! 

2. Practice a hobby or talent: Every kid has a hobby or talent that they enjoy. From skateboarding to playing an instrument to drawing, there are a wide range of extracurricular activities that can be practiced during a homework break. Aside from being fun, practicing a hobby is also great exercise for the mind and/or body. Even more, working on a hobby or talent helps build self-esteem.

3. Help prepare dinner: Cooking is fun. It’s also educational, because it reinforces subjects learned in school, including reading, math, and science. Children can even learn about world culture through cooking. If their interested, let your kids take a break from homework to help you prepare an easy meal for dinner. If they aren’t attracted to the idea of cooking, ask them to set the table instead, and before they go back to finishing their homework, make sure they do at least one thing to help clean up. Although this is technically a chore, it’s still a break from homework. Most importantly, it’s practical training for adult life.

4. Work on a craft project: If your child is interested in arts and crafts, help them start a long-term project that they can work on during a homework break. Example projects include scrapbooking, creating homemade holiday decorations, making homemade toys or friendship bracelets, and more. More project ideas can be found at such resourceful websites as MarthaStewart.com, Pinterest.com, and HobbyLobby.com. This is a fun break idea that that can keep kids busy for hours. Of course, you want them to finish their work and get to bed on time, so be sure they understand that the project should only be worked on for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. To make things easier, set up a workspace in the garage or playroom, and make sure you provide appropriate supervision.

5. Go run an errand: If your child is of driving age, their homework break could be an opportunity to help you finish your to-do list. Give them 30 minutes to drive and pick up the family’s dry cleaning or a few groceries. This is another homework break that also does double duty as a chore and life skills training.

Even if there isn’t any homework on the schedule, the above activities are all great ways to spend the after-school hours at home, away from the television and computer screen.

I’d like to hear from my readers; what other homework break ideas do you all have?

Final Exams Week - Advice

This week is final exams week for my sons’ school district. So, here’s my advice to parents on how to handle your kids during this week. (Or to parents of any age students who have tests throughout the school year.)

DON’T BUG THEM!

Our kids know they have tests. They know they have to study if they want to get a decent grade. The teachers tell them this. Their peers tell them this. They tell themselves this. The last thing they need (or want) to hear is their parents reminding them (ie., nagging them) to study.

Bugging our kids about studying (or homework) is like rubbing salt in the wound. It’s already painful enough (usually) for kids to buckle down and study (and do homework).

But, many parents fear that if they don’t urge them to study, maybe they won’t study and then maybe they’ll fail, or get a bad grade on a test. Yes. Maybe. And that’s ok. The point is that kids have to own their own work, their own study habits and their own grades. This is their deal, not the parent’s deal. The kids are in school, not the parents.

Parents should not worry about their kids when they have tests and finals (and homework). If you worry for them, they will sense your worry. I’ve heard many teenagers say something like this, “My mom means well, but she really worries too much about my grades and college, and she doesn’t realize how annoying this is and how it makes it harder for me.”

Don’t give the impression that a student’s whole future depends on a certain score on a final exam - especially if your son or daughter is a junior in high school! Do you remember what scores you got on your final exams? I don’t. But I know they weren’t perfect, and I know I still had a future.

I’m not saying that you should refuse to help them if they ask for help studying. But don’t take over their studying. Or, maybe suggest they study with a friend or sibling if they ask you for help. They will probably get more out of peer studying than studying with you.

And, after the test, don’t ask them how they did. Don’t say anything. They will tell you how it went in their own time. Just ask them how their day was. Period. Let them do the talking, or do none at all. It’s ok. They’ve just hunched over their desks all day and are mentally drained and exhausted. Let them be. Don’t pressure them.

Just make sure they have a good meal and plenty of rest that night.

And, finally, turn off SchoolLoop or whatever electronic grading system your school uses. This tool is meant for middle and high school students to check assignments and grades. Resist the urge to check this daily. Let the students own this, too. Parents should just check it every couple weeks or if you suspect your child is having trouble at school.

Your turn. What advice do you have for parents of kids taking final exams?