By Mary O’KEEFE

Recently Crescenta Valley High School’s PTSA and administration hosted Myron Dembo, Ph.D. at the school to discuss a variety of issues facing students today.

Dembo is the emeritus professor of educational psychology at the University of Southern California where he has taught for 41 years. His credentials also include being a fellow in the American Psychological Assn. and the American Educational Research Assn. and he has been an associate editor of the Elementary School Journal and Journal of College Reading and Learning. He is also the co-author of “Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success.”

The standing-room-only crowd of students and parents were eager to listen to Dembo’s advice on how kids study and how to teach them the tools to be successful. One of the subjects he covered was how students learn when studying for tests and finals. The best strategy is asking questions, not questions necessarily their teachers have asked but ones that students pose themselves. Adding questions to the notes taken during class, he said, is a better use of study time as opposed to recopying the notes.

He shared an example of lecture notes concerning Freudian-psychology during the early 20th century. On one side of the paper was written the question, “What is the difference between the Id, Ego and Superego?” The other side is where the student answers that question.

Sleep is an important part of learning, according to Dembo. He said that the lack of sleep could relate to increased tension and depression. Ironically, students in both college and high school stay up late to study for finals. The lack of sleep helps create the stress they feel rather than help them prepare for the test.

In his book he states, “During sleep the brain solidifies and enhances memories, including new learning from the day before. Sacrificing sleep in order to spend more time studying will therefore backfire.”

Dembo shared stories of his two daughters growing up. Many of his issues were relatable to parents in the audience, including the one word communication that often accompanies a discussion with a teenager.

“I think [Homeland Security] or the CIA could learn something from teenagers,” he joked.

Parents should not feel that it is only their child who is not communicating, and understand that often that non-communication will continue as students move on to college.

He reminded parents that as their child heads off to college to keep communication open, to remember the student will be living on his or her own for a time and that will affect the student’s mood and opinions on returning home, especially for the first visit. Many times parents have to sit back and just listen.

“And remember the hugs,” he said.

He told the students and parents the best way to make the most out of college is for students to take advantage of learning outside the classroom, get involved with collaborative learning experiences and attend lectures that are offered.

The number one mental issue college students report is stress, followed by anxiety and sleep difficulties, Dembo said.

Colleges, and high schools have support services for students, including psychologists available. Dembo advised that parents and students take advantage of those services. He added that stress can come from bad study habits, from procrastination and other factors, but the drive to over-achieve can also be an issue. He shared the quote from legendary basketball player Michael Jordan: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

He reminded the audience that failing can lead to success.

  Mary Okeefe