Each year, the homework assignments become tougher, workloads get
heavier and staying ahead of the curve becomes more of a challenge. By following these 10 Handy Dandy Hints, you
can develop better study habits, have a productive year, and discover The
Secret Behind the “A.”
1. Get Organized. Between homework, tests and
extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the
cracks. A planner can help you keep everything organized. Write down assignments, appointments and make
to-do lists. Review items in the planner/notebook at both the beginning and end
of the day to stay on track.
2. Know the Expectations. By high school, most teachers will
provide a course outline or syllabus, which can serve as a guide for the
semester. If expectations aren’t clear, don’t wait until a bad report card
comes in the mail. Make sure you feel comfortable approaching teachers with
questions about grading and assignments at any time. Also, pay attention to
homework assignments, projects, and other course requirements and make sure you
do them completely.
3. Designate a Study Area and Study Time. Find a place at home where you can
study without distractions. Studying in
front of the TV or with music on won’t be the best use of your time. A quiet,
well-lit, low-traffic space for study time makes for optimal use of your study
time.
4. Develop a Study Plan. Setting goals for each class is also
key to success. First things first: you need to know when a test will take
place, the types of questions that will be included and the topics that will be
covered. From there, create a study plan and allow ample time to prepare. As you do your homework, evaluate how well
you understand the material. If you are
unsure of what you are doing, ask for help BEFORE you take the test.
5. Think Positively. Being in the right mindset can make all the difference. Think positively
when studying or heading into an exam and by all means, avoid catastrophic
thinking. Turn negative statements like “I’ll never have enough time to get a
good grade on this exam” into positive ones like “I began preparing later than
I should have but I put together a study plan and will be able to get through
the material prior to the exam.”
6. Attend before-school or after-school study sessions. Working in groups can help students
when you’re struggling to understand a concept and you can complete assignments
more quickly than when working alone. Sometimes, your local school has study
sessions and/or tutoring after school that will assist you with homework and help
you to make the “A.”
7. Practice Active Listening. It’s important for students to
concentrate and avoid distractions when an instructor is presenting. You should
avoid talking or thinking about problems when listening. If a teacher says,
“This is important” or “I’ll write this on the board,” there’s a good chance you
will see the concept on an exam.
8. Review Test-Taking Strategies. It is normal for you to feel stressed
when taking an exam. However, there are certain strategies that will help you
manage the stress and do your best on the test. First, arrive on time and be
relaxed. Students should be sure to read all of the directions on the exam and
pace themselves so as not to feel rushed.
9. Read Actively. A pack of post it notes can be used to help you actively write/annotate
in any book. It’s all too easy to skim
over an assigned book chapter and not know the main points of what they just
read. Practice active reading by finding the main idea of each passage and looking
up unfamiliar words or concepts. Make an outline of the chapter or create flow
charts and diagrams that help map out the concept at hand. After each section,
write a summary in your own words and come up with possible exam questions.
10. Look to the Future. The higher your GPA, the more likely
you are to be accepted to the college of your choice. Starting early can be an immense help in navigating the college
admissions process. Be sure to get organized, set goals and have regular check-in’s with
the Upward Bound Academic Coordinator to assess progress. If you know you are struggling in a
particular course, seek out additional help using a TRIO Upward Bound tutor to
keep your GPA as high as possible.
