The Parents' Guide to making study easier

Sep 1, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Jul 22

Studying is tougher for some students than others, but there are some fail-safe ways to make it easier, so read on to find out how you can help your teen get off on the right foot.

1. Create the perfect study environment

Help them find a calm space to study and revise. Things to consider are noise levels, lighting, the ability to store their papers tidily, and not being disturbed by other family members. Different people have different needs: for some, background music helps; for others it’s a distraction. Different locations can help too, so rather than always working in their bedroom, they might like to use the dining room or living area from time to time. Give your child space to work out what works best for them.

2. Create a revision timetable

Sit with your child and help them work out a revision timetable. Smaller, regular revision sessions are usually much more productive than cramming, so starting revision well in advance is a good strategy.

Part of the value in creating a revision timetable is to ensure all topics are covered in the lead up to exams, rather than your child getting side-tracked by one subject they find very difficult or prefer doing. Sticking to the timetable is important and promotes self-discipline. However, sometimes things take longer than expected, so don’t get cross if your child deviates from the plan.

A good idea is to factor in some unassigned revision "buffer time" to make flexibility easier.

3. Establish a routine

Routine is important, not only for a revision timetable but for home life in general. Try to set breakfast, dinner, family time and family activities at similar times to create stability and familiarity. It can be difficult when everyone has their own schedule, but it’s worth having some anchor points throughout the week when you all get together, such as breakfast at 7.15am on weekdays.

Likewise, try to get your teen to revise regularly rather than leaving it all to the last minute. An hour or two each week during term time will really help them consolidate what they're learning. During school holidays or at weekends, get them to revise in the mornings, preferably with a 9am start. This is likely to be when their morning exams happen, so by starting at this time they're training their brain to be alert and fully engaged in the morning.

4. Factor in short breaks

When helping them create a study or revision timetable, ensure they factor in five or ten minute breaks within 30 or 60 minute study sessions. Short bursts of studying produce much better results than long stretches. Even if they have to study all day or all evening, they should not do more than an hour at a time without a short rest.

5. Factor in long breaks

It’s important for them to take time out and do things they enjoy, such as watching a film, being part of their regular sports team, attending a concert, or spending time with friends and family. Not only does this give the brain a chance to switch off, refocus and assimilate information, it helps them find an appropriate work-play balance for a productive and happy life in the long term. Try to help them ensure their breaks include a variety of activities, not just staying in their room watching a box set.

6. Help them refocus

From time to time, we all need to take a break. When things get tough, it can be helpful to step away from the problem and revisit it with a calm mind and renewed outlook rather than struggle on. If, on occasion, your child doesn’t stick rigidly to their revision timetable, don’t worry, they're probably doing enough to stay on track. If you don’t think they are, and the school agrees, it might be time to work out different rules to help them refocus.

7. Try a range of revision strategies

There are a lot of misconceptions about what good revision looks like. In fact, there's been a lot of psychological research into revision, which has found that most people revise by re-reading textbooks and making summary notes. Whilst these do work, they're regarded as relatively inefficient, meaning it takes a lot longer to memorise the material than with other techniques.

Research has found that the most effective revision technique is practice recall. This can include strategies such as teaching the material to others, completing past papers, creating mind-maps or 'brain dumps', using flash cards, and making use of trigger words to help recall information.

8. Stay fit and healthy

Make sure they drink lots of water, keep a balanced diet, sleep 8 to 9 hours per night, exercise regularly and limit their caffeine intake. None of us can do our best when feeling below par, so protecting their general wellbeing is key to helping them perform well, whether that's homework or revision. We've got lots of advice on boosting your teen's wellbeing here.

9. Keep an eye on mental health

It’s good to be aware of the signs of anxiety and stress so you can watch out for them. A change in behaviour for a day or two might be nothing to worry about, but if you notice a regular change in your child, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. Provide an opportunity for your child to learn some proven techniques that help reduce anxiety. It’s a really good idea for them to practise these when they’re not anxious, so they can familiarise themselves with the approaches. Regularly practising relaxation techniques helps keep anxiety at bay too. Some good choices are breathing exercises, mindfulness apps (Headspace, Calm), yoga, meditation and walking.

If you’d like to know more about what you can do at home to help your teen make the most of their study, we’ve got plenty of tips in The Parents’ Guide to Study and Exam Revision. There’s advice and information on: