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At SuperCamp, students learn valuable techniques that make learning fun and easy. To ensure these skills are not lost or forgotten when they leave camp, it is important for parents to help enforce them at home. With a new school year upon us, one of the biggest things parents can do to help set their student up for success is to create a positive study environment at home.

An important concept taught at SuperCamp is Everything Speaks, and it's worth remembering when creating a positive study environment at home. In the context of how a student studies, Everything Speaks means that everything in the environment sends a message that either enhances or detracts from learning. Think about tidy vs. cluttered chaos, light and airy vs. dim and dark, inviting and functional vs. any old place.

The first thing to think about is location. As they say in real estate, location is everything. Find a place that's quiet and free of distractions—so, if possible, not the family room or the dining room table! The ideal is a defined study area in the student's bedroom.

Furnishings are another important aspect of a positive learning environment. Make sure the home study area has good lighting (ideally, natural light and a lamp), shelves for reference books and supplies, and a computer, if needed. Obviously, your student also needs a desk or table with space for study materials, as well as a work area that's not cramped. And a comfortable "sit-upright" chair will help the student stay alert and focused.

Resources are essential. Make sure your son or daughter doesn't have to waste valuable study time looking for a pen! Stock up on pens, paper, and pencils, and have them all within reach, not just somewhere in the room. Also make sure your student has whatever reference material is needed before sitting down to do the work.

Another tool to creating a positive learning environment is music. Some classical music is "brain friendly" and enhances the study environment. Baroque music helps students to focus and to access their most resourceful learning state. The music optimizes the functions of the brain that store and retrieve information. Many kids (from elementary to high schoolers) will think that their own music is best, but try to convince your student to try baroque, such as Bach, Handel, or Vivaldi. If you meet with resistance, a first step might be to suggest music that doesn't have words—words interfere with the part of the brain needed to study effectively, even if the student is not consciously listening to the words!

Positive signs on the walls of your student's workspace bring color to the room and will remind your child's subconscious mind of his or her potential to learn. Help your son or daughter create an inspiring atmosphere by making some signs—use lots of color (our brains love color!) and the following ideas to get you started:

- I BELIEVE IN MYSELF
- EVERYTHING I DO DESERVES MY BEST EFFORT
- LEARNING IS FUN AND NATURAL!
- EVERY CHALLENGE OFFERS A GIFT
- I AM UNIQUE AND VALUABLE
- I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT I CREATE
- I CAN LEARN THIS!
- I HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BE SUCCESSFUL

Another good idea is to have an achievement area (a bulletin board would work well) for awards, papers with good grades, and lists of accomplishments. A bulletin board would also work well for posting study schedules and reminders of project due dates.

Your show of interest, support, and guidance in helping your child create a positive study environment at home will go a long way toward establishing great study habits that will improve grades and make this a successful school year for your child.

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SuperCamp is an academic summer camp held on prominent college campuses across the U.S. and internationally. Students from 9 to 19 and of all abilities gain powerful techniques for academic and personal success and master valuable learning skills through Quantum Learning methodology. Opportunities for success become building blocks to increase self-esteem and confidence. For more information visit http://www.SuperCamp.com or call 800-285-3276.

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