HOME SCHOOLING 

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Tips from Greg Smith, head of operations at Oxford Home Schooling:

 

“If you had a hundred home educators in a room, each of them would likely have a different approach, but there are a number of things you can do to get the most out of homeschooling.”

 

Take breaks

 

“A bit of experimentation should identify what works best for you. You might find 30-minute blasts followed by ten-minute breaks help keep your concentration up. Alternatively, you might prefer to work for longer periods at a stretch and then enjoy a longer break.

 

“Boring as it might sound, giving your learning a predictable structure and routine does help to make sure you get everything done!”

 

Get rid of distractions

 

“It’s really hard to focus when the TV’s blaring, the radio’s on or there are lots going on in the place you’re working, so try and get rid of the distractions. Also, concentrating is easiest when you’re in a quiet, comfortable place, so play around with how you study – sitting, standing or lying down; inside or outside; with lots of light or without – and find a method that helps you concentrate.”

 

Divide up the work

 

“Sometimes it can be difficult to motivate yourself when faced with a really big or difficult task. The best solution is to break it down into smaller pieces, planning out the various stages that need completing before you start. This way, you’ll know what needs doing and you’ll get a good sense of progress as you work.”

 

Get lots of sleep

 

“It’s an accepted fact that if you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll find it harder to concentrate, learn and retain information. The trick is pretty simple – get some sleep! Most people between the age of five and 11 need 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night, while 11 to 18-year-olds need 8 to 10 hours.”

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Don’t multitask

“Sometimes, particularly when there’s a lot of work to be done, it can be hard to resist the urge to multitask and try and get lots of jobs done at once. This is best avoided though, as, in essence, you’re dividing up the amount of brainpower you have available to a given task, meaning you might miss out on important bits of information.”

 

For more tips on how to get the most out of homeschooling, visit: https://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/revision-techniques/improve-memory-concentration/