Study To Do Well in Middle or High School
At the start of a new school year almost every student wants to "work hard" and "do well," but how many of us find ourselves flaking out by week two? I've acquired a few tips and tricks to doing well in school. Some can be easily applied but others will take hard work and determination to succeed.
Contents
Steps
- Take notes. This is a must! It will help you very much especially in science or history.. Go out and buy several note pads, one for each of your major classes.
- Write whatever the teacher says. Whenever your teacher mentions a future assignment or a test, try not to be away that week. You don't want to miss a thing they have to say,write all the details down.
- Use multi-colour pens. They're handy and a must. If you have a school agenda use it to write with in it because it will make it look less complicated.
- Don't destroy or throw out any past work. That could be a big mistake if you find you need them for reference later. If you have major yearly examinations, then they will be vital when you go to study. Keep old work in a separate binder or folder so you don't lose it and it doesn't take up space in your normal binder.
- Make the right friends. Having friends that you know are reliable and hard working will pay off. They can help you study, give you tips, and be good long term influences. If you have a group assignment or class work of that nature then work with somebody you know will be serious, not lazy and do their share of the work. It is not fun staying up till 2:30am the night before a massive assignment is due because your partner(s) has not done their share of work.
- Sit at the front of the room. If you wear glasses or have weaker eyes, this is important. The teacher will let you move because, believe it or not, they want you to do well.
- Start assignments when they are first given to you. It is so easy to just not bother but it's really not worth the worry. Plus, if you start when its given and work steadily until its due you will be more relaxed and therefore do better work.
- Buy an agenda or planner. It is very helpful, unless you have a photographic memory. Most schools supply them. If they don't, places like office stores, newsagents, stationary sections, etc. supply them. There is really no excuse not to have one. There is so many things to remember for reference later. It is almost impossible to function without one.
- Get enough sleep, at least 7-8 hours every night.
- Have a good relationship with your teachers. They can be a complete drag at times, but just cringe and bear it. Most of the time it really isn't worth the argument.
- Talk to your parents. The same deal as with your teachers. They are only useful if you're on talking terms.
- Read as much as you can. This will improve you on all fronts. The more familiar you are with the subject matter, the easier it will be to remember details during tests. It will make your homework easier, and make the work easier in class. The more time you spend in reading now, the easier it will be when you have to hit the books at exam time.
- Do your homework. If you have none, reread old material. If homework is set, just do it because the more you review, the less pressure you will have later.
- Scan ahead. Don't waste a lot of time reading material you haven't covered yet, but it helps to become familiar with it.
- Organize whatever hand outs you have. Don't lose them. File them with their class notes.
- Keep two pencil cases, one for home and one for school. Just have it all because organization is important, and it's no fun having to borrow a pen from a furious teacher under exam conditions.
- Clean out your locker regularly. This just makes it easier if you keep everything organized.
- Set up a regular study area that you will use just for study. Your study area should be a large, quiet place where you won't be distracted. Organize your study room. You are going to spend a lot of time there. Keep it quiet or turn on music, depending on what helps you concentrate. Keep the room comfortable, light, and cool.
- Set up your desk or table with all the materials you need, such as a computer with internet, a lamp, a dictionary, atlas, notepaper, loose leaf paper, ruler, erasers, pens, and pencils.
- Keep your room and your desk clean and clutter free.
- Have a comfortable chair. Something like a supportive desk chair works well.
- Organize your books and folders. Keep a separate binder or folder for each subject. Cover any folders and books according to the subject, i.e., Red=English; Green=Science; etc.
- Make task lists as you study so that you're not distracted by thoughts of what other things you need to do.
- Study alone, but if you need assistance or help, ask for it.
Tips
- There are many recommended study methods. One of the most popular is called the "S Q 3R" method, but there are plenty of variations on this method. SQ3R, or SQRRR, simply means that when you are assigned a text chapter to study, you
- Scan. Scan over the past or current material.
- Question. Ask yourself, and write down questions for yourself about the subject matter as you go along.
- Read. Read the chapter in full.
- Recite. Recite to yourself keywords and highlights of the material, answer the questions as best you can, with the book closed. And
- Review the chapter and answer the questions.
- Keep your locker and desk organized. So that you wont be looking for things constantly.
Warnings
- Don't beat yourself up if you don't do amazing things. The fact is that your 100% might be only 90% of what someone else expects. That doesn't mean you didn't give your 100%. If you follow the steps and tips to their fullest, don't ever let someone tell you that you aren't good enough, or that you could, or should, have done better. That's a guilt trip you don't need.
