For many students, backtoschool means new friends, extracurricular activities or sports, and what may seem like an overwhelming amount of homework after months of summer vacation. Homework does not have to be a nightly battle if students can make the best use of their time.

Good study habits and timemanagement skills are two of the most important abilities a student can have for school success. According to Dr. Raymond Huntington, cofounder of Huntington Learning Center, one of the biggest problems that students have is learning to study efficiently.

"By using an organized, active approach," Huntington said, "students can make the most effective use of their study time."

Huntington suggests the following study tips for busy students:

•Establish a quiet, comfortable, neat study area in the home. Eliminate distractions: One hour of concentrated studying can be the same as three hours of studying amidst noise or interruptions. Schedule a regular study time each night and stick to it.

•Being organized is also vital in order to work efficiently. Write down assignments in a notebook to avoid forgetting due dates or putting off long-term projects until the last minute. Learn how to preview the material, read for details and take good notes. Even just 15 minutes set aside each night for reviewing notes or outlining a chapter will enhance retention of material and build basic study skills.

•Parents can use these tips to work with younger children on making schoolwork a priority, establishing a time and a place for studying, and teaching them to work independently. For older students, building strong study habits can help them to do their best in school and will carry through for academic success in higher grades and college as well.

•As the semester progresses, if a student is having difficulty with exams and getting poor grades, it may be more than just a studyskill problem. Determine if tutoring services may be the key to unlock a child's potential. Advanced diagnostic testing can pinpoint a child's academic strengths and weaknesses.

Now in its 31st year, Huntington Learning Center was the first educational provider of its kind offering a thorough diagnostic evaluation for each student and developing an individualized program of instruction. Centers are accredited and tutor students from kindergarten to 12th grade in reading, writing, math, phonics, study skills, test prep, high school entrance exam prep and SAT/ACT college exam prep.

Huntington has learning centers in Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Ventura and Calabasas/ Woodland Hills. For more information, call (800) CAN LEARN (226-5327).