How to Study

12. Turn off the TV already! 
13. Get wired. The Internet is the greatest invention of our age
and an unbelievable tool for students of any age. It is impossible
for a college student to succeed without the ability to surf online,
and nearly impossible for younger students. They’ve got to be
connected. 
14. But turn off IM (Instant Messaging) while doing home-
work. They will attempt to convince you that they can write
a term paper, do their geometry homework, and IM their
friends at the same time. Parents who believe this have also
been persuaded that the best study area is in front of the TV. 
How to Use This Book
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The Importance of Your Involvement
Don’t for a minute underestimate the importance of your commitment
to your child’s success. Your involvement in your child’s education is
absolutely essential. The results of every study done in the last two
decades clearly confirm the single factor that overwhelmingly affects
a student’s success in school: your involvement—not money, great
teachers, a bigger gym, or weekly dance classes. You.
So please, take the time to read this book (and all of the others in the
series). Learn what your kids should be learning (and which of the
other subject-specific books in the series your child needs the most).
And you can help tremendously, even if you were not a great student
yourself, even if you never learned great study skills. You can learn now
with your child—not only will it help him or her in school, it will help
you on the job, whatever your field.
If You’re a Nontraditional Student
If you’re going back to high school, college, or graduate school at age
25, 45, 65, or 85—you probably need the help in How to Study more
than anyone! Why? Because the longer you’ve been out of school,
the more likely you don’t remember what you’ve forgotten. And
you’ve forgotten what you’re supposed to remember! As much as 
I emphasize that it’s rarely too early to learn good study habits, I must
also emphasize that it’s never too late.