The brain thrives on stimulation. However, studying often means sitting quietly, rereading notes, and hoping the information sticks. For many students—especially those with executive functioning challenges—this approach can lead to boredom, fatigue, wandering attention, and difficulty remembering the material.
Active Studying turns learning into a more engaging brain-and-body experience. Instead of simply reviewing information, students interact with it, explain it, and apply it. This helps them develop a deeper understanding of the content while preparing for exams and real-world situations.
Start with Active Reading
If your child already uses active reading strategies, such as highlighting, annotating, or asking questions, the first step is underway. After reading, encourage your child to pause and ask what the material means, why it is important, and how it connects to information they already know. Reviewing annotations also makes it easier to return to the most important ideas.
Try These Active Study Strategies
The next step is self-testing. This helps students determine what they truly understand and which areas need more attention. Instead of waiting until test day to discover what they do not know, they can try these strategies:
Brain Dump: Without looking at notes, write down everything remembered about the topic. Then compare the response with the study materials to identify missing information or weak areas.
Concept Mapping: Create a visual map showing the main ideas and how they connect. Use colors, drawings, arrows, or humor to make the information more interesting and memorable.
Be the Teacher: Explain the topic to a friend, parent, coach, classmate, or even a pet. Teaching the material in your own words can reveal what you understand and where you may need more practice.
Put Learning into Action
Finally, use role-play and real-life examples. Ask how the information relates to your child’s life, when it might be useful, or what it would look like in a realistic situation. Your child could act out a historical event, demonstrate a science concept, or create original examples for a math problem.
Active Studying does not have to mean sitting at a desk for hours. By moving, speaking, creating, and applying what they have learned, students can make study sessions more engaging, effective, and memorable.
Ready to turn inactive study sessions into something more impactful? Reach out to Dynamis Learning HERE for a free consultation with one of our Executive Function Coaches.
The brain thrives on stimulation. However, studying often means sitting quietly, rereading notes, and hoping the information sticks. For many students—especially those with executive functioning challenges—this approach can lead to boredom, fatigue, wandering attention, and difficulty remembering the material.
Active Studying turns learning into a more engaging brain-and-body experience. Instead of simply reviewing information, students interact with it, explain it, and apply it. This helps them develop a deeper understanding of the content while preparing for exams and real-world situations.
Start with Active Reading
If your child already uses active reading strategies, such as highlighting, annotating, or asking questions, the first step is underway. After reading, encourage your child to pause and ask what the material means, why it is important, and how it connects to information they already know. Reviewing annotations also makes it easier to return to the most important ideas.
Try These Active Study Strategies
The next step is self-testing. This helps students determine what they truly understand and which areas need more attention. Instead of waiting until test day to discover what they do not know, they can try these strategies:
Brain Dump: Without looking at notes, write down everything remembered about the topic. Then compare the response with the study materials to identify missing information or weak areas.
Concept Mapping: Create a visual map showing the main ideas and how they connect. Use colors, drawings, arrows, or humor to make the information more interesting and memorable.
Be the Teacher: Explain the topic to a friend, parent, coach, classmate, or even a pet. Teaching the material in your own words can reveal what you understand and where you may need more practice.
Put Learning into Action
Finally, use role-play and real-life examples. Ask how the information relates to your child’s life, when it might be useful, or what it would look like in a realistic situation. Your child could act out a historical event, demonstrate a science concept, or create original examples for a math problem.
Active Studying does not have to mean sitting at a desk for hours. By moving, speaking, creating, and applying what they have learned, students can make study sessions more engaging, effective, and memorable.
Ready to turn inactive study sessions into something more impactful? Reach out to Dynamis Learning HERE for a free consultation with one of our Executive Function Coaches.