--- title: The 5 Biggest Mistakes Kids Make in School | GoStudent | GoStudent description: Top mistakes students make that affect their learning - for better or worse! image: https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Insights-EN-Blog-Images/5%20mistakes%20kids%20make%20in%20school/5-big-mistakes-kids-make-in-school.jpg --- × Share your learning needs to match with the ideal tutor, based on personality, learning level and goals. 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- [AI](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/ai) - [TRENDING](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/trending) - [EXAMS](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/exams) - [MORE TIPS](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/more-tips) - [BEHAVIOUR](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/behaviour) - [LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/learning-outside-of-school) ## Or read some of our popular articles? ### [FREE Downloadable English GCSE Past Papers with Mark Scheme](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/how-to-find-english-gcse-past-papers) - Guy Doza - 19 May 2022 ### [GCSE Maths Past Papers - Download Your FREE Maths Exam Papers](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/gcse-maths-past-papers) - Alexia James - 18 May 2022 ### [The 15 Best AI Tools for Revision: Create Notes, Summarise Lessons, and Ace Exams](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-best-ai-tools-for-revision) - GoStudent UK - 11 March 2026 [TEACHING TECHNIQUES](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/teaching-techniques) # The 5 Biggest Mistakes Kids Make in School - By [Jen Goggins](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/author/jen-goggins) - May 19, 2021 - | Updated: July 28, 2025 ![5-big-mistakes-kids-make-in-school](https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Insights-EN-Blog-Images/5%20mistakes%20kids%20make%20in%20school/5-big-mistakes-kids-make-in-school.jpg) [![Hero](https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Hero%20%C2%B7%201285%C3%97445%20%C2%B7%20EN%20%C2%B7%20Blog.png)](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/education-report/2026/) ## Contents 1. [Skipping breakfast](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-5-biggest-mistakes-kids-make-in-school#mistake-1) 2. [Studying wrong](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-5-biggest-mistakes-kids-make-in-school#studying-wrong) 3. [Misusing grammar](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-5-biggest-mistakes-kids-make-in-school#misusing-grammar) 4. [Rushing](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-5-biggest-mistakes-kids-make-in-school#rushing) 5. [Not learning from mistakes](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-5-biggest-mistakes-kids-make-in-school#mistake-5)   Should you let your kid make mistakes? Of course! Well, it depends on the mistake. You wouldn’t allow them to mistakenly burn the house down, right? But some mistakes can actually be great for learning. So what are some of the most common mistakes kids make? When should you intervene and when should you step back? Find out right here.![kid-eating-breakfast](https://www.gostudent.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Insights-EN-Blog-Images/5%20mistakes%20kids%20make%20in%20school/kid-eating-breakfast.jpg?width=1000&name=kid-eating-breakfast.jpg) ## Mistake 1: Skipping breakfast   The first mistake kids often make starts before the school bell chimes. Does your child [eat a good breakfast](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/get-kids-eating-healthy) every morning? [Teenagers](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/parenting-teenagers) are especially guilty of skipping breakfast or eating something unhealthy.  But breakfast is so important for students. Kids who don’t eat breakfast miss out on important nutrition. This makes them less healthy and [more tired during the day](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/best-foods-energy). It’s hard to focus when your stomach is grumbling.  The verdict? No doubt about it: step in to make sure your child eats a healthy meal before school. 🥣   ## Mistake 2: Studying wrong   How does your child study for a test? We're willing to bet that they spend time rereading their notes from class, right? Well, it’s time to stop that. 🚫 Just rereading doesn’t help kids understand the material deeply. They need to do the work. If your child has a [maths test](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/how-a-maths-quiz-can-make-maths-learning-fun), for example, they should complete practice sums to prepare. Will they need to write a persuasive essay? Debate with them from the opposing point of view and allow them to practice defending their argument.  You can also help students [retain information](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/how-to-retain-information-when-studying) by [setting up the environment for success](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/create-the-perfect-study-space-for-your-child). Make sure there are no distractions and that they are focusing only on their school work. Multi-tasking rarely works as well as we think it does.  The verdict? It depends. You should teach your child the skills they need to succeed and provide guidance. But then it might be good to step back and let them see the difference studying well can make.  Does your child need extra help studying in a specific subject area? 📚 Find the perfect [GoStudent tutor](https://www.gostudent.org/en) for their needs.    ## Mistake 3: Misusing grammar   Does your child often confuse “there,” “their” and “they’re”? Or are they writing “alot” (it’s two words: a lot 😉)? It’s time to nail those down once and for all. We all make spelling errors and  typos, but teachers definitely notice when students make [common grammatical mistakes](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/learning-english-grammar). It can have an impact on your child'd overall marks and will certainly be [noticed by universities](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/best-universities-in-the-uk).  The verdict? Step in and help your child learn [proper English grammar](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/learning-english-grammar). And no judgment if you need a refresher too - this is a great chance for you to model learning something new with your child. (A [GoStudent tutor](https://www.gostudent.org/en/our-tutors?_ga=2.267408910.1457029804.1621433184-1402780743.1621433184) can help).   ## Mistake 4: Rushing   Hurry, hurry, hurry. Is your child rushing through their school work? When students try to get things done too quickly, their work is sloppy and they make more mistakes.   Teachers can pretty much always tell when work was completed as fast as possible. The quality is always lower. Kids also can’t remember the material as well when they don’t take their time. The verdict? If your child has a need for speed, help them recognise the difference in work quality when they take their time. This might mean slowing down, or maybe just doing a reread when the work is done.   ## Mistake 5 (A.K.A- The biggest mistake of all): Not learning from their mistakes   It’s okay to make mistakes at school! In fact, mistakes are an opportunity to learn. The freedom to make mistakes is an important part of [becoming independent](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/independent-learning-for-kids-age-6-12) and can [build confidence](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/simple-steps-to-build-confidence-in-students). The verdict? Step in. But also step back 😜 Students need some help to learn how to learn from mistakes. Be specific about what the mistake was and help your child make a plan for next time. Then, let them take the reins and go through with the plan. Don’t jump in and remind them! Afterwards, talk it through and help them notice what worked and what didn’t. If your child needs some extra support, GoStudent tutors are here to help. 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