How to Work Hard in School

Study groups can increase your understanding of the material.

Working hard in school can lead to better grades and -- more importantly -- a deeper understanding of the material. Unfortunately, few schools teach students the study skills that they need to succeed. It's important not only to put in the hours necessary, but to spend your time studying right. Reading the chapter twice can take an hour or more, but taking detailed notes and studying from them, for example, can give you better results.

Things You'll Need

• Planner

Instructions

1. Set a goal to work toward. You may be aiming for a high grade point average, to get better grades than you did last year or to get into a particular college. Having a goal can help you stay focused to study hard.

2. Create a study timetable. Decide how many hours you'll need to spend studying for each class. You may need to spend more time on a subject that's not your strong suit. Then, schedule time throughout the week to study. Factor in your other time commitments, too, such as family dinner every night or your after school clubs. You can divide the time into small chunks, such as 30 minutes each day, or plan for longer sessions -- whatever works for you.

3. Take detailed notes in class. The things that your teacher talks about in class are more likely to be the things that he'll test you on. If your notes seem jumbled and disjointed, organize them later during your study sessions.

4. Talk to the teacher when you don't understand something. Your teacher is there to help you -- use her. Many classes build upon the topics from previous classes, so if you don't understand one thing, you could quickly fall behind.

5. Work together with other students. A friend can help teach something that you don't understand. Additionally, teaching others the information that you do know can solidify that knowledge in your head.

6. Avoid distractions. Once you've set your study times, stick to them. Don't let other things get in the way of you reaching your goals.

Tips & Warnings

• During your study sessions, actively study. This means turning off the phone and avoiding websites that aren't school-related.

References

• U.S. News & World Reports; 15 Secrets of Getting Good Grades in College; Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy S. Hyman; Aug. 19, 2009
• Kid Source Online: Hard Work and High Expectations -- Motivating Students to Learn; Jun. 1992