You know there is no real secret to successful, intelligent and efficient studying. However, study can be made a lot easier if we just follow certain rules and organised methods.

If we parents can encourage an organised study plan that our children can follow themselves, it means we have not got to be behind them all the time; instead, we can be there to give support, encouragement and praise.

Here are a few tips for parents to read and then go over with their darling offspring - when the time is right.

Listen carefully to the teacher so you know what is expected of you. This is so important, because if you do not listen carefully and know exactly what to do, you cannot go to the next stage.

Write it down. Keep a specific homework notebook; scraps of paper and notes on your hands or arms is no substitute for a proper notebook - keep it with you always.

Trying to remember will not do, because page numbers, important instructions and other information can be confused or forgotten altogether. Make a note of when the homework is due in.

Revision is an essential part of homework - so even if specific homework is not given, a revision plan is essential. A plan should be made out showing the subjects to be revised after homework each night. Make a copy of that homework and revision plan and keep one at school and one at home. Check before leaving school and home that you have all the books you need.

For example, the first-year second-level student should plan to study two hours a night. Then, when exams come closer, revision is even more important. If a student gets a lot of homework one night, then that night's revision list could be done at the weekend or on a night where the homework is lighter.

Note for teachers: students benefit greatly from good notes, so photocopying precise, concise notes for them is a great help - as some students are slow writers or may miss the key points.

Use study periods at school wisely. A free period occurs regularly, be it one that has been set aside for quiet study or one that arises because of a teacher's sickness. These free periods should be utilised. Use them to reduce homework, study time at home or to finish assignments, or go through your revision timetable. This gives more free time at home.

Ask for help! I know only too well how most students hate doing this, as it brings with it the risk of embarrassment from their peers. Nevertheless, if you do not understand or are having any difficulties, they are only going to get worse if you do not ask for guidance. Parents please note: do not do assignments for your children, only guide them in the right direction.

Studying in the home: Good studying habits can even reduce the amount of time spent doing homework. For example, study done as early as possible in the evening often proves more efficient, as the child who is less tired can comprehend and absorb the work better than a tired child later on in the evening.

Good time: Students, especially those studying before exams, should find out for themselves what their most productive study time is. Some students work better early mornings, while other may work better later in the day.

However, no students work well unless they get adequate sleep. Also, study is best done in short blasts rather than long stretches, because most students tend to absorb more that way. Short periods tend to reduce boredom levels too.

So happily appreciated is the parent who comes in with biscuits and milk saying: "Take 10." The break should also consist of a brief stretch of exercise and fresh air. This helps to relieve tension and provides an emotional break from the ongoing study. This is where parents can provide the words of encouragement and support as well as a loving cuddle.

Good place: Choose a quiet, well-lit place in which a student can concentrate, away from the usual distractions of family life like music, telephone or television. Friends should be asked to phone or call back later, as a high level of concentration is need to fully absorb a subject.

Review work done. This habit of looking over what has been covered helps a child assess how long the work took and how much time to allocate for the completion of similar tasks. The time taken to complete homework varies greatly with age and personality. However, a child of 10 years and over should be able to concentrate on homework for an hour, even if it has to be in two halfhour sessions.

Good snacks: Children, and especially teenagers, have enormous nutritional needs and appetites. So make sure the regular snacks given keep the blood sugar level high to aid concentration; choose fruit juices and high-protein foods, avoiding over-consumption of junk foods.

Plan. When assessing an assignment, students should determine how they should complete the work in a way that they feel is most logical and comfortable for them. Generally, however, it is easier to complete the easy task first then concentrate and give more time to do the difficult one afterwards.

Parents should review completed work. It is helpful in many ways to look over your child's work. Yes, it allows you to check for errors and mistakes - but it also gives you the chance to offer encouragement and praise. Keep negative comments to a minimum.

Results: Children who learn to study successfully need less time to complete assignments well, improve their learning, achieve better marks and gain more time to pursue other interests.

An organised child who studies wisely then gets less anxious and stressed-out during examinations because he or she feels in control. Get one of your artistic or computer whiz kids to draw or print out the study plan in big letters and put it on display in the study. Remember the old saying: "The job is not finished until the paperwork is done."