Tutoring Agency
Weekly posts on educational topics, how-to-teach tips, parenting advice, kids health and more. Subscribe to the newsletter (on the left or below on mobile) for education blog updates by School is Easy Tutoring.
Summer learning loss has been a topic of conversation in education for many years. In the typical school calendar, students are off for 8-9 weeks of summer vacation, during which many students experience learning loss.
[Read more…]
We’ve all been there—faced with an upcoming test and tempted to cram all the material into our brains the night before.
However, while it might feel like a quick fix, cramming is one of the least effective ways to prepare for an exam – it fails to promote long-term learning and hinders your ability to perform well when it matters most.
Today, we explore why cramming doesn’t work and how better strategies can set students up for success.
The brain works best with steady, consistent learning. If your child tries to take in a large amount of information in one sitting, they risk overwhelming their working memory. This “overload” actually makes it harder for the brain to process and store the material effectively.
Without time to organize the information, their brain treats it like clutter—difficult to access when they need it most, such as during an exam.
Think about it like this: when you pack your things for a long trip, taking your time to organize your suitcase is far better than blindly throwing a big pile of clothes into a duffel bag!
Cramming relies heavily on short-term memory, which is only designed to hold information for a limited period. While this might help your child recall a few multiple-choice answers, it won’t support deeper understanding or problem-solving skills.
To truly succeed—on the test and beyond—they need to move knowledge into their long-term memory. This process requires repetition and exposure over time, which cramming doesn’t allow.
Tests aren’t just about memorization. Many exams require critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to apply knowledge to new scenarios.
Cramming does little to prepare children for these challenges. Without a solid grasp of the material, their brains struggle to connect concepts and construct thoughtful answers—especially for essay-based or problem-solving questions.
Education is about more than passing a test—it’s about building a foundation of knowledge and skills for life. When students cram, they treat learning as a temporary task rather than a long-term investment.
This mindset can lead to struggles in advanced coursework, on-the-job training, or any situation requiring a deep understanding of foundational concepts.
Retaining the information learned throughout a student’s education equips them for so much more. The knowledge gained in school isn’t useless, and it can be used throughout one’s life.
Higher education courses will require students to build on previous knowledge, jobs will expect employees to use the skills that should have been acquired in school. If students see the importance of retaining what they’ve learned perhaps they would see that cramming is not the proper way to get through school.
The information you learn in school isn’t just for exams—it’s preparation for the real world. From higher education to professional careers, retained knowledge helps students adapt, problem-solve, and excel.
By focusing on consistent study habits and long-term retention, students can avoid the stress of cramming and set themselves up for success both academically and professionally.
If cramming isn’t the answer to effective learning, what strategies can students use to prepare for exams more successfully?
Cramming might feel like the easiest option, but it rarely leads to meaningful learning or test success. Instead, adopt strategies that emphasize consistent effort and long-term retention—you’ll thank yourself later.
Ready to help your child study smarter, not harder? At School is Easy, our tutors provide personalized support to ensure long-term understanding and academic success. Don’t wait—schedule a session today and set your student up for a brighter future!
Guest post by Lisa Jane
Your child has been working hard all day to prepare well for their exam, and now they just want some time off.
While it’s important to relax to take their mind off things, it’s also a good idea to keep their brain active and not give in to junk food or vegging out in front of Netflix.
To help, here are some constructive ways for your kids to unwind after preparing for exams:
Suggest that your kids pick up a book unrelated to their studies. It could be their favorite novel, an interesting magazine, or even a comic book, reading provides a mental escape while keeping their minds sharp.
If your kids have been sitting at their desks for hours, encourage them to go for a run.
Exercise has several benefits, including boosting their mood through endorphins and improving their concentration and sleep quality—helping them feel refreshed and ready for the next study session.
Yoga is a fantastic way for kids to combine physical activity with relaxation.
Practicing yoga can help them stretch, focus, and clear their minds. Depending on their (and your) approach, a short session at home or a yoga class in the community offers a peaceful reset.
Playing indoor games is a great way for your kids to engage their brains while taking a break. Puzzles, board games, or even online multiplayer games provide a fun distraction and a chance to recharge.
Getting your kids involved in the kitchen is a fun and constructive way to unwind!
Cooking is a productive way to relax, build skills, and ensure they’re eating healthy. Suggest they try a new recipe or prepare a favorite dish—it’s a rewarding activity with delicious results.
While tidying might not seem like a treat, it can be a surprisingly effective way for kids to take their minds off studying.
Simple tasks like organizing their study space, putting away laundry, or cleaning their room can help create a calm, distraction-free environment for the next round of preparation.
A trip to the movies or theatre is a fun way to let your kids unwind and enjoy some entertainment. It’s also a great opportunity for them to spend time with friends or family and take a complete break from their exam worries.
Encouraging your kids to balance relaxation with meaningful activities helps them stay refreshed and focused—giving them the best chance for success!
Ready to help your kids succeed with personalized support? School is Easy connects you with experienced tutors who make learning engaging and stress-free. Whether it’s exam preparation or boosting confidence in class, we’re here to help.
About the Author:
School is Easy is glad to feature an international educator from a special exam preparation school in London. The instructor, Lisa Jane, guides the students with timely Easter exam revision so they can score good grades in the subject.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, technology plays an increasingly crucial role in transforming learning experiences. From interactive apps to online platforms, innovative tools are reshaping how students acquire knowledge and skills. This article explores tutoring methods and the integration of technology to enhance the learning experience. [Read more…]
Summer break presents a valuable opportunity for middle and high school students to engage in activities that are not only fun but also productive. As parents and guardians seek ways to ensure their children make the most of their time off, this listicle article will explore five exciting and beneficial summer activities tailored to keep students entertained, engaged, and learning throughout the break. From educational pursuits to creative endeavors, these suggestions aim to make this summer a rewarding and memorable experience for young learners.
We’re in the middle of summertime, so it’s probably your last chance to sign up your children for a camp. Determining the best summer camp for your children can be a challenging task. There are many to choose from, and it’s only natural for a parent to want the best experience for their children.
In this article, we give you our favorite tips on how to pick the right summer camp for kids.
Determining the right summer camps for your children often requires you to examine what they like. A soccer camp may be a good fit for kids who like athletics but may not be the best choice for children more inclined towards art and vice versa. At the same time, summer camps can be a great way to get your children to explore new things.
Nowadays, summer camps are more than just heading to a generic cabin and lush, green forest where counsellors do crafts and activities with kids, culminating in a final performance for the parents. Summer camps can be one-day events or last several weeks, and they can focus on robotics, martial arts, music, sciences and even entrepreneurialism.
One possible way to get your children interested in summer camp and stretch their boundaries is to look for camps with both qualities.
For example, if your kids are interested in science but uncomfortable with athletics, you can enroll them in an exciting STEM summer camp like this one. Your kids will learn all about their favorite Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math subjects like building robots, programming, and cool engineering concepts.
There are likely several themed summer camps you can find locally and abroad if your child is old enough and brave enough to travel independently.
It can be difficult to know when we as parents are pushing too hard. Growth doesn’t happen by staying in the comfort zone; however, if you stretch too far, an experience can be quite negative for a child. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to determine if a child should or shouldn’t go to summer camp. Every child is different. Perhaps the best way is to observe and see if your children have attachment issues when you part with them for shorter periods, like at school or places like after care. Or possibly when a babysitter takes care of them for a few hours before bedtime (when they know they won’t see you until morning).
Check in with camp counsellors to ask them if your kids are exhibiting any symptoms of attachment problems. If it seems like they are getting overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to pull your children out.
But remember, you need to know your child well enough to determine if they are experiencing either discomfort or trauma when attending camp. The discomfort is often necessary for growth, but trauma can be damaging. It’s the latter that you don’t want. Keep this in mind when trying to decide which — or if — summer camp is the right thing for your child.
One final note – if your kids are a bit older, see if they can go to camps as counsellors instead of registrants. It can mean a lot to the younger ones to know they have a ‘big sis’ or ‘big bro’ to be there for them when parents aren’t around. It’ll also teach the teens some great responsibility skills.