Pacific Palisades Tutoring: Groza Learning Center on Developing an Optimal -- Not Maximal -- Study Strategy

It seems clear that the majority of students understand the amount of time and effort dedicated to an academic pursuit is closely -- but not necessarily directly -- tied to academic success. After all, we are all likely able to recall a fellow student who aced every exam despite barely studying, just as there are always examples of students who perform poorly in spite of hours upon hours dedicated to preparation. There are many reasons why this occurs in academic settings, and, according to Scott Groza, founder of the the Pacific Palisades-based Groza Learning Center, understanding the difference between optimal and maximal can help explain why this is frequently the case.

It is necessary to first address the simple fact that there will always be outliers in any example, which is why, despite the existence of students capable of performing well without much effort, it is never advisable to entirely ignore the study material in advance of an exam. For those on the other end of the spectrum, however, it is quite likely that the hours of study devoted to preparation for an exam can be optimized in a way that ensures the achievement of the kind of results one would expect from such a dedicated effort.

In order to properly optimize a student’s study time, it is necessary to develop an understanding of the individual strengths and weaknesses possessed by the student. Identifying these strengths and weaknesses should not only include the specific subject areas in which the student excels or struggles, but should also evaluate the learning styles and settings in which the student best responds. With these strengths and weaknesses identified, it is then possible to develop an optimal approach to academic preparation.

The Groza Learning Center develops an optimal academic strategy for each student by thoughtfully considering these aforementioned strengths and weaknesses. Through diagnostic testing, a learning plan can be customized according to each student’s specific needs. In addition to diagnostic testing, the learning center has also created a learning environment in which students have a variety of settings in which they feel most comfortable and are most likely to produce the learning gains being sought.

All students can reap the rewards of an optimized study strategy, and developing an effective strategy only requires that students and their families engage in honest, thoughtful reflection regarding any strengths or weaknesses the student might possess. With a sound strategy in place, as well as a productive, focused environment in which to learn, students ought to be able to improve their academic performance without substantially increasing the amount of time and effort they already dedicate to studying.