How to Help Your Teen (or Grown Kid) Organize Study Materials for Big Exams

If you’ve got a teen prepping for a big exam—whether it’s the SAT, ACT, or even for your older kid-ults something like the LSAT—there’s one word that will keep you both sane: organization. Seriously, organizing study materials is like the superhero cape you never knew you needed. Trust me, I’ve seen the chaos firsthand, and without a little strategy, it’s like trying to herd cats. But don’t worry, we’re about to dive into how you can help your teen get it all together without losing your mind.

Why Organization is Your Best Friend

Let’s face it: teens and organized study materials don’t usually go hand in hand. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that organizing study materials can turn a looming test from a monster into something a little more manageable. Whether it’s their high school finals or prepping with your grown kids for the LSAT (hey, future lawyers!), the right system keeps them on track, focused, and—dare I say it—confident!

When your teen has a clear system for their study materials, they can focus on what matters: improving in the areas they need the most help. It’s like that moment when you finally clean out your closet and realize you actually own things you want to wear. Same thing—just with less fabric and more flashcards.

Step 1: Gather All the Study Stuff

The first step is pretty basic but absolutely essential: gather all the study materials. And I do mean all. It’s amazing how a high schooler can manage to scatter practice tests, notebooks, and random worksheets in places you didn’t even know existed. Go on a scavenger hunt and pull together everything they need—books, flashcards, online resources, and even those crumpled papers at the bottom of their backpack.

Got a grown kid studying for something big like the LSAT? Let them know about resources like Online LSAT tutoring that can help them prep like a pro. It’s an easy way to make sure they’re getting the guidance they need without the stress of figuring it all out alone.

Step 2: Organize by Subject (And Don’t Forget Snacks)

Once you’ve gathered the mountain of study materials, it’s time to separate it all by subject or test section. Logical Reasoning? That goes here. Reading Comprehension? Over there. Snacks? Well, snacks go everywhere because no study session is complete without them. I swear, snacks are the real MVPs of this whole study process.

When everything is neatly divided, your teen can focus on one section at a time without feeling like they’re drowning in a sea of information. It’s like turning a mess into a masterpiece—without the glitter (unless that’s your thing).

Step 3: Prioritize Strengths (And Let the Weaknesses Shine)

Now that you’ve helped your teen organize their study materials, it’s time to get strategic. Have them take a practice test to figure out where they shine and where they, well, don’t. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and that’s totally fine. The trick is to focus on the weak spots first.

For example, if they’re acing Logical Reasoning but struggling with Reading Comprehension, they’ll know where to spend the bulk of their time. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. Plus, prioritizing those weaker sections means they won’t panic when they see them on test day.

Step 4: Set a Study Schedule (That You Can Stick To)

Once the study materials are organized and prioritized, it’s time for the holy grail: a study schedule. Now, I know schedules can feel like a ball and chain, but this is the kind of thing that will save your teen (and you) from last-minute cramming.

Break it down into manageable chunks. Mondays could be for Logical Reasoning, Wednesdays for Reading Comprehension, and Fridays for watching cat videos—I mean, practicing Logic Games. The key is consistency. And if life gets in the way? That’s okay! Just adjust the schedule as needed, but make sure it’s something they can stick to for the long haul.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Mom!

At the end of the day, helping your teen or kid-ult organize their study materials isn’t just about acing the test—it’s about teaching them skills they’ll use for life. Whether they’re prepping for high school finals or tackling something later in life like the LSAT (because they will always need mom, right?), organization will always be their best friend.

So grab some snacks, gather those materials, and dive in! And don’t forget to celebrate the little victories along the way—because as we all know, this whole parenting thing is just one big series of tiny wins.

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!