There are many tools and strategies that are beneficial to students. Most of these strategies are beneficial to all students but are critical for students who struggle in school. Effective organizational skills and study strategies can help students learn to their fullest potential. By organizing the environment and learning to manage time effectively, students can students can focus their energy where they should – on the acquisition of new knowledge.

Disorganization and clutter make students divert their time, attention and energy away from their studies because they are busy looking for materials, remembering assignments and searching for study guides. A systematic way to organize physical space at home and school could be beneficial. The most effective strategies are often low-tech and based on the needs of the student. Some of these strategies include organizational strategies, study skills, time management and graphic organizers.

Organizational Strategies
Organizational strategies encompass several skills. Many students struggle with organizing themselves physically and mentally. As adults, we develop organizational strategies and systems that work for us. Each strategy is individualized for us, therefore what works for one person may not work for another. Students need to be involved in setting up their organizational systems, providing input on what they feel works best for them. See the following handouts for more information about this topic.

Study Skills
Knowing how to study and what to study can dramatically help a student. What appears to be procrastination may be an overwhelming inability to break down assignments into manageable pieces, determine important or unimportant information for tests and set priorities – all important life skills that will translate into productive employment and a happy adulthood. These are skills that come naturally for some students; for others, they are shrouded in mystery ("How does she know that?!").

As students progress through school and academic expectations and demands increase, they may need to develop study techniques and strategies to meet those demands. By specifically teaching how to use a textbook, learning effective highlighting strategies, reading for a purpose and breaking down the steps in an assignment, students can gain essential study skills.

Time Management
Effectively estimating the time it will take to complete a task, managing a schedule and completing assignments on time are all important skills. Many students with ADHD and learning issues struggle greatly with time management. They have to be specifically taught these skills. By teaching students to use a student planner effectively, break down large assignments into manageable chunks, and manage study time effectively, students can learn to study smarter – not harder.

Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers allow students to use charts, webs or diagrams to organize large volumes of information. This form of mental organization allows students to visualize how the information is related, compare details and analyze relationships. These strategies limit the amount of verbal information presented, instead illustrating the information through both the visual and verbal modes of learning. This helps students retain the information and utilize critical thinking skills.