Students from sixth grade all the way up to graduate school struggle can find studying to be a daunting task, despite how different their curriculum may be. Use these helpful study tips to improve your own studying or to help your struggling child.

1. Review before bed. While it’s not the best idea to study when you’re overly tired, there’s some benefit to studying right before bed. Your brain strengthens new memories while sleeping, so you’re more likely to remember what you learned if you look at the information right before falling asleep.
2. Create mnemonic devices. Whether you’re trying to remember complex chemistry concepts or the states and their capitals, it often helps to create a little story or other mnemonic device using people or objects that you’re already familiar with. For example, make a poem out of the first letters of each of the planets for a child who is struggling with an elementary science class.
3. Create practice tests. One of the only ways to really test your knowledge is by putting yourself to the test. Download pre-made practice tests online or enlist a study partner to quiz you on the topic.
4. Write instead of typing. Many studies show that the human brain is more likely to remember something that you write by hand than something that you type, so leave your laptop at home the next time you take notes.

22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test [Greatist]
10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time [Lifehack]
Adults in College: 10 Secrets to Success if You Haven’t Seen a Classroom in Years [Back to College Blog]
Top 10 Study Tips for Busy Adult Learners [Back to College]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/alazaat

Austin offers many outdoor parties and festivals at locations throughout the city, and Pease Park is one of those popular locales. This 42-acre park is part of the Shoal Creek Greenbelt, and it is home to Austin’s famous Eeyore’s Birthday party, a yearly festival featuring live music, food, and family activities.

The park features a very large area of playground equipment for young kids, and there’s also a splash park "sprayground" consisting of a few water features that gently spritz, dump, or spray water at gleeful children on hot Texas days. Pease Park’s many picnic tables and two large barbecue pits provide a picturesque setting for an outdoor barbecue, while the disc golf course, basketball courts and volleyball courts offer hours of outdoor sports fun.

Visit the Pease Park website for more information or to reserve facilities.

Pease Park
1100 Kingsburry Street
Austin, TX 78799
www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=307
www.yelp.com/biz/pease-park-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Steven Depolo

If you're craving some street-style Japanese food or a bite of sushi, stop by Austin's own Lucky Robot. This establishment is modeled after Tokyo's Harajuku street fashion and can best be described as cute and a little quirky. If you're up for it, ask to sit in one of the eatery's porch swings while you order your food and drinks from an iPad.

Split some hot or cold appetizers with your table, like the sea bass with black walnut oil and apple or the street style corn with cheese and mayonnaise. The Japanese inspired tacos are also well worth a try; the ahi with wasabi aioli and avocado will leave any taco connoisseur smiling.

Regulars stop by for the expertly crafted rolls and linger for the hospitable chefs who are quick to crack a joke or exchange pleasantries. Be sure to stop in during happy hour, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Lucky Robot
1303 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-8081
www.luckyrobotrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lucky-robot-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/gpeters