Gifted students often face unique challenges that require equally unique solutions. Developing effective study habits enables these individuals to harness their full potential in the classroom. In this blog, we will explore techniques and strategies they can use to optimize their study habits and succeed in their educational endeavors.
The Most Common Study Techniques
While it is ultimately up to each individual to find which study habits work best for them, we compiled the most common study techniques to help them get started:
- Active learning strategies
- Time management skills
- Note-taking methods
These study techniques are effective for gifted students because they cater to their advanced cognitive abilities and need for deeper engagement with the material. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Active Listening Strategies
Like most people, gifted students need to be actively engaged in the material they are learning, or else, it is likely they will not retain it. This can be more difficult for these individuals attending schools with traditional curriculum, as it tends to not be challenging enough for them.
Think of techniques like summarizing what they have learned, asking insightful questions, and teaching the subject matter to others. All of these can deepen their understanding and encourage critical thinking. Active participation not only reinforces their knowledge, but also helps them identify where they may need more information.
Time Management Skills
Knowing how to prioritize tasks and set realistic goals are great life skills to learn in general. During middle and high school, these skills support gifted students’ study routines, ensuring they balance their coursework and social lives. These techniques can look like writing a to-do list in order of importance or giving each task a time limit in which to complete it. Integrating time management practices into their study routine gives students the tools they need to build a consistent and healthy routine.
Physical planners and digital tools can help them track assignments and deadlines, helping them stay organized and reduce stress. This structured approach maximizes productivity and helps them achieve academic success.
Note-Taking Methods
- The act of writing something out once or—better yet—multiple times is linked to muscle memory. One of the most well-known note-taking techniques today is the Cornell Method:
- Divide the page into three sections: a narrow left column, a wider right column, and a bottom section.
- Students should jot down the main points, important details, and concepts in the right column.
- They can create a list of highlights or questions in the left column.
- The bottom section is where they’ll consolidate the lesson into a summary that helps when quickly reviewing.
Some gifted students are more visual; they should find studying techniques that support how they learn best. Using visual aids when taking notes can further enhance their understanding. Mind mapping is a good example of this kind of note-taking. It involves writing the central idea in the center and building off it with subtopics (or “branches”).
In addition to knowing and using these three techniques, it is important to consider how study habits for gifted students can be impacted by environmental and cognitive factors. Both have the power to make or break a student’s academic success. We will take a closer look at these and how to use them to a gifted learner’s advantage.
Environmental Factors Play a Role in Effective Studying
A Dedicated Study Space
There are certain things about our environment that help us get into a specific mindset. For most people, it is not easy to focus when there are a lot of people talking or noisy activities happening around them. A dedicated study space could help gifted students build effective study habits.
They can set up in a corner of their bedroom or in a part of the house that is not as busy during the times they need to concentrate. It is also a good idea to encourage gifted students to set up their workspace with all the tools they need to feel prepared. Organization is key.
Additionally, personalizing the space with technology, fancy pens, and anything else that gives it a bit of personality will help the student feel more comfortable and even excited to spend time there.
School Resources
Perhaps a gifted student prefers more separation of their school and home lives. Or maybe they have coursework to take care of while they are still on campus. Luckily, there are a few places—such as the school library or academic center—where they can study.
- Libraries offer access to computers and a plethora of books and journals. All of these resources can deepen students’ understanding of subjects beyond the classroom.
- Academic support centers, on the other hand, can connect them to social resources, including tutors, workshops, and study groups. Collaborating with like-minded individuals has proven very beneficial for gifted students, as they can connect over shared interests and life experiences.
Schools curated for gifted education are great resources because gifted students have access to both staff members who understand them and to other gifted individuals.
Support from Others
We touched on the importance of resources for social development and finding like-minded peers in the last section. The Davidson Institute Young Scholars program is one that serves as a network for gifted students and their families. This community offers opportunities for them to meet individuals with similar experiences, seek advice, and build meaningful connections. Students benefit from this kind of support when they are developing study habits; they can pick their peers’ brains to see what other methods are out there.
Teachers and counselors are also great resources for helping gifted learners find the right study habits. Besides giving guidance unique to each individual, teachers can also provide advanced material that challenges gifted students appropriately, helping them stay engaged. Counselors work with students to set goals and manage their time wisely. Additionally, both teachers and counselors offer emotional support, such as helping students navigate anxiety or boredom related to their academic pursuits.
Environmental factors are only a piece of the puzzle in developing effective study habits for gifted students. Equally important are the cognitive factors that shape how these students process and retain information.
Cognitive Factors That Affect Study Habits
Cognitive factors play a large role in creating effective study habits for gifted students by influencing how they process, understand, and retain information. By being aware of and optimizing these factors, students can enhance their focus, maintain a positive attitude toward learning, and achieve their academic goals.
Focus and Concentration
Having a dedicated study space is one way to enhance gifted students’ concentration. Another way is to practice mindfulness techniques, which calm the mind and reduce stress. Some of these include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation. Mindfulness can improve students’ attention span, keeping them engaged with their learning material for longer periods.
Having a Growth Mindset
Gifted students often have high expectations for themselves, which, a lot of times, leads to them struggling with perfectionism. It can negatively impact them to the point where they stop studying altogether. To prevent or cope with perfectionistic tendencies, these individuals should focus on building a growth mindset. Emphasizing effort and focusing on the learning process rather than the end result sets gifted students up to approach their studies with a healthier, more positive attitude.
There is another way to combat perfectionism and feeling burnt out: setting realistic goals. It may help to break large tasks into smaller steps, helping them focus on one section at a time. They can also test whether their set objectives meet the SMART method:
- S = Specific: The clearer a goal is, the more likely that its accomplished.
- M = Measurable: How is the outcome being measured? Knowing the criteria for success helps gifted students gauge their progress.
- A = Achievable: Gifted students can ask themselves, “Is this something I have the knowledge to accomplish right now? Do I need more help or information?”
- R = Relevant/Realistic: Why is this goal important? Is it appropriately challenging?
- T = Time-Bound: This puts due dates into perspective and helps students plan how often they need to work on the task to finish it.
All of these factors should be considered when it comes to creating effective study habits for gifted students. They not only give them actionable steps they can take to accomplish their coursework, but they also support their holistic development and prepare them for adulthood.