How to Become a Better Student in School
Caring about your performance in school is half the battle in becoming a better student. Many students fail to understand the importance of good grades and how they can affect future job prospects. Learning how to become a better student often depends on how you approach school. You must approach school as if it were your job, rather than a distraction from your social life. If you're struggling in school, focus on managing your time better, organizing your priorities and asking for help when you need it.
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Instructions
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Schedule plenty of time for schoolwork and studying. You don't need to micromanage every minute of your day, but writing down a list of your priorities and when they need to be done will help you stay on top of your assignments. Use a day planner for your to-do lists and write down each new assignment as soon as you receive it. Some students may want to work on homework as soon as they get back from school; others may need a short break. Use trial-and-error to determine what approach works best for you, but avoid waiting until it's almost bedtime to start homework.
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Eliminate distractions during your planned homework and study time. Turn off your phone and the TV. Only play music if it will not distract you. If you find yourself procrastinating, remind yourself of the consequences of not doing the work on time. It may also be helpful to consider that you can spend hours procrastinating and dreading the work, when it may only take an hour to actually do the work. Once the work is done, you can enjoy your free time.
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Do more than the bare minimum. If you want to get better grades, put in more effort than just doing the required amount of homework as quickly as possible. Teachers can frequently tell the difference between a few sloppy answers scribbled hastily and a well-written, carefully considered response. If you're unsure of the material, go back to the textbook and read the relevant section again, or search for new sources on the same subject at your local library.
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Attend every class. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin points out that students who do well in school tend to attend nearly every class, while students who often miss class score poorly. If you do miss a class, seek out your teacher as soon as possible to obtain homework assignments. Turn in the assignments promptly. Find a reliable classmate from which to copy class notes.
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Take careful notes. Do not attempt to write down everything the teacher says. Write down the basic ideas and facts, as well as everything the teacher emphasizes. Copy all notes from the blackboard. In some cases, your teacher will even tell you that a certain fact will be on the next test. After school, supplement your class notes with notes from the textbook readings.
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Prepare for exams early. Do not attempt to study all of the material the night before the test. Set aside some time each night to review another section of the class material. Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam. If you have a study hall or other block of free time before the exam, review your notes again. When taking the exam, read each question carefully and double-check your work before turning it in.
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Ask for help when you need it. Ask your teacher if you can stay after school to get extra help on a subject about which you're confused. Another source of help could be a tutor. At some schools, some student organizations, such as the Honor Society, offer tutoring help. You can also form your own study group or ask for help from friends who have a firmer grasp on the material. In addition, make an appointment with your guidance counselor if you're struggling in school. She can help you identify your problem areas and give you advice on how to deal with them.
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References
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- Photo Credit student image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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wow
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begad
Feb 25, 2011
very good
