At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe that great learning habits start early. Our teachers have guided thousands of students through the ups and downs of academic life, especially in mastering English through our popular English enrichment for Primary School programmes.
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming exam, looking to improve your composition writing, or joining a Primary School holiday composition writing programme, the right study habits make all the difference. We asked our teachers at WRITERS AT WORK to share their top study tips — the very strategies they’ve seen help real students become confident, independent learners. Let’s dive into their advice.
1. Practice, Practice, Practice
Ask any WRITERS AT WORK teacher and they’ll tell you the same thing: practice is the key to success. No one becomes an excellent writer, reader or student overnight. Even our best-performing students started with small steps — building their skills over time with consistent effort.
When you practise writing regularly, you become more familiar with sentence structure, vocabulary, and how to organise your ideas. This is especially important in English composition writing, where good writing habits come from repetition.
One of our students, Ethan, started out struggling to write even a single paragraph. But after weeks of guided writing practices in class and at home, he grew more confident — and his marks improved steadily.
So don’t wait until the night before your English exam or a big assignment. Keep writing, keep reading, and start improving with our Top Schools English Exam Paper 2 Revision!
2. Read With Purpose
At WRITERS AT WORK, we teach our students that reading isn’t just about finishing a book, it’s about understanding and applying what you read. This is called intentional reading, and it’s a powerful way to grow as a writer and thinker. Instead of simply flipping through pages, try these steps to make your reading more meaningful:
- Take notes as you read. Jot down interesting phrases, powerful verbs, or how the writer builds suspense.
- Highlight or underline parts that stand out — such as a strong description or a clever way of introducing a character.
- Summarise each chapter or section in a sentence or two. This helps you process the main ideas.
- Look up new words. Keep a notebook or digital list of unfamiliar vocabulary and learn their meanings.
- Ask questions. Why did the character act this way? How did the author make the setting feel real?
Intentional reading helps you pay closer attention to writing techniques. Over time, you’ll naturally begin using what you’ve learned in your own compositions — from vivid vocabulary to better paragraph flow.
3. Be Attentive During Class
Being in class physically is one thing — but being mentally present is what really counts. When your teacher is explaining a new concept or giving feedback, that’s your chance to learn something new or correct your mistakes.
At WRITERS AT WORK, our teachers always say: “Focus during class, and you’ll have less to worry about later.” Why? Because when you understand something the first time it’s taught, you won’t need to struggle through it again at home.
So what does being attentive look like?
- Sit upright and listen closely.
- Take notes if you need to.
- Ask questions if you don’t understand.
- Avoid distractions (like fidgeting or daydreaming).
Students who pay attention in class often find it easier to complete their homework, prepare for tests, and stay ahead.
4. Always Complete Your Homework
Homework is not just about getting it done. It’s about reinforcing what you’ve learnt. Skipping or rushing through it means you miss out on practising the skills taught in class.
WRITERS AT WORK teachers know which students are doing their homework consistently — and it shows in their writing progress. When students take the time to apply what they’ve learnt in class, their compositions become more structured, their vocabulary richer, and their grammar more accurate.
If your homework feels difficult, don’t give up. Ask for help from a teacher, classmate, or parent. Doing your best every time helps you grow stronger as a learner.
5. Set Small, Clear Goals
Big tasks can feel overwhelming. That’s why we encourage students to break large assignments into smaller, manageable parts.
Let’s say you’re preparing for a composition exam. Instead of trying to write a full composition in one sitting, start by:
- Brainstorming your ideas
- Planning your story structure
- Writing your opening paragraph
- Improving your character descriptions
Celebrate your progress with each step. Small wins build confidence and help you stay motivated.
6. Review and Reflect
After every test or writing assignment, take time to review your mistakes and reflect on what you’ve learnt.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe feedback is one of the most powerful learning tools. Our teachers spend time guiding students through their work — not just marking right or wrong answers, but helping them understand how to improve.
Reflection also means asking yourself:
- What did I do well?
- What could I improve?
- What will I do differently next time?
Students who review their work regularly tend to show faster improvement, especially in writing.
7. Make Time to Write During the Holidays
School holidays are not just for rest — they’re also a golden opportunity to sharpen your skills without the pressure of exams.
That’s why WRITERS AT WORK offers our Primary School holiday composition writing programme during term breaks. These programmes help students revise key writing techniques, explore new composition topics, and get personalised feedback from our experienced teachers.
Students who join our holiday programmes often return to school feeling more confident and prepared — especially those heading into exam years like Primary 5 and 6.
8. Stay Positive and Keep Trying
Learning is a journey, and every student learns at a different pace. It’s easy to feel discouraged when things get tough, but remember: your effort matters more than your starting point. If you ever feel stuck, talk to your teacher. We’re here to guide you, encourage you, and help you believe in your potential.
Start Early; Start Now!
Good study habits don’t just help you score better in English — they help you become a stronger, more independent learner for life. Whether you’re working hard during the term or joining a Primary School holiday composition writing programme, these tips will help you stay focused, prepared, and motivated.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe in nurturing every child’s writing voice, step by step. Through our English enrichment for primary school programmes, we’ve helped thousands of students grow into confident communicators — and we can help you too.
More From WRITERS AT WORK
Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Creative Writing Good for Kids?
Creative writing is good for children as it teaches them how to use their imagination. Children have a vivid imagination and will enjoy coming up with different storylines and characters. Through the use of creative writing, children can express themselves using the English language, which is also good for their emotional development and maturity.
2. What Are Good Creative Writing Topics?
A good start is to write about what you know. Students can start by writing about things that are familiar to them, such as school or family. Then, students can move on to more complex topics, requiring them to use their imagination about events which would be unlikely to happen in real life, such as a fairytale or an adventure story. Older students can write descriptive essays about being in a situation or about more abstract concepts, such as regret.
3. How to Begin a Story?
A good story should have just the right amount of exposition to illuminate the setting and the characters for the reader without giving away the entire plot. The story should begin where it is relevant, and the general gist of the situation should be outlined. The writer should know how to move the plot along from where they start easily, and the story should flow logically.
4. What Are the Basic Steps in Creative Writing?
A good first step would be to plan out the story – it is important that the story follows a Plot Curve which has a logical sequence of events and a clear conclusion. The main and supporting characters should be clear – there should not be a whole village of characters – just enough to further the plot. Moreover, the central conflict of the story should be clear.
