You may not like school, but being well-behaved in the classroom doesn't have to be difficult. If you're having trouble paying attention, sitting still, and constantly being called by your teacher, you can learn to obey the rules and use your energy to become a better student. Diving deeper into your class and keeping up with your assignments can make school less boring, so you won't misbehave. You can learn the rules and avoid trouble to help yourself better.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Learning the Rules
Step 1. Learn the class rules and follow them
Each class will have different rules, depending on the level and type of class. Elementary class will have different rules from middle and high school. Whether you are allowed to have chewing gum, use the computer, or borrow a pencil will likely differ in many of your classes. Many of the rules are the same, but always listen to your teacher for specific instructions.
- At the start of class, you will likely get a class rule sheet, or syllabus. If you have trouble remembering whether something is allowed, it should be written down.
- In elementary school, you will have different rules to follow when you go to the music room, or to the art room, or any other room. Even if your teacher isn't present, that doesn't mean it's time to misbehave.
- In middle and high school, it's important to learn the rules for each class you have, as well as the school rules for changing classes. You need to understand how to move from one class to another without causing problems.
Step 2. Listen to your teacher and follow the instructions
If you want to behave better in the classroom, the first place you can turn to for help is your teacher. Always do what the teacher says in class. It's very important to listen carefully to the teacher's instructions when he asks you to do an assignment, or if he asks you to be quiet, start or stop work, line up, or whatever. If you listen the first time, you don't have to ask later.
Shut up. Save what you want to tell your friends for later. If you have questions about assignments, ask the teacher
Step 3. Sit on the designated seat
Many classes use assigned seating, meaning that you will be seated in one place during a section, semester, or unit. Often, these are determined alphabetically, but your teacher may use another way of creating a seating chart. All classes are different. If you have an assigned seat, it is very important that you sit in the allotted seat. Being in the wrong place is a silly way to get into trouble.
- Avoid sitting with friends who get you in trouble. Sit in the front to avoid the temptation to talk in class if you can. You have plenty of time to socialize at recess and after school. It's also good to avoid bullies and enemies, others who can tempt you to misbehave. (You can talk to your teacher about this, and maybe pretend that you "should" sit there, to relieve social pressure.
- On time. You need to be in the building when school starts, and you need to be in your seat when class starts. If you're struggling to get to class on time, learn time organization skills, materials organization skills, and find out how much time you really need to transition.
Step 4. When in doubt, remain silent
Even if your teacher doesn't specifically tell you to shut up, it's safer to stay quiet.
Step 5. Raise your hand if you want to speak
If you have a question, or you have something to say, don't just shout it out or ask your next door friend. Raise your hand, wait to be called, then speak when you are given permission.
- Have something specific and short to say, so you don't waste class time rambling on. The best time to raise your hand is when you have questions that other students may have as well. "What pages should we read tomorrow?" and “How do you find the least common multiple?” is an appropriate question.
- Inappropriate questions involve things that are only important to you, or things that stray off topic. “Why did I get a D?” or “What do you think of Lebron James, Miss Johnson?” may be an inappropriate (even if interesting or funny) question in the classroom. If you want to talk to your teacher about this, write down your questions, and wait for class to end.
Step 6. Work during working hours
If you are given class time to do homework, make sure you spend that time doing homework, not as free time. That means doing the work you're supposed to be doing.
Do not do homework for other classes during work time, unless you are given permission. If you are given time to work on a group project, don't leave the group and sit down to do your math homework. You're wasting work time, and other people's time
Step 7. Talk to your teacher
Simply telling your teacher that you are putting in the effort will go a long way. He can help find ways to be better together. The teacher can help modify the class, such as giving clear instructions on what you should do, or avoiding embarrassing situations that could lead you to misbehave.
- If you have a reputation for being a troublemaker, many teachers will be impressed if you sincerely want to do better in class. Trying to talk to your teacher is a good first step in changing the teacher's view of you.
- Get to know your teacher. Your teacher is a human – not just a teacher! He has interests, feelings, and opinions. Recognizing your teacher as an individual can make it easier for you to listen and respond to them. Plus, your teacher might be able to recognize you, too! This relationship can make your cooperation easier.
Step 8. Talk to your parent or guardian
Admitting that you have a problem doesn't mean you're a bad person; it means you know that you have a problem. Parents can do a lot in working with the school to help you. This may be as simple as working with your teacher, to testing for an Attention Disorder, to perhaps finding a special school.
Special schools, challenge programs, or other alternatives may be more suitable for you, if you are struggling with your behavior. Talk to your parents about the possibility of changing schools. If your parents don't want to listen, talk to your school's guidance counselor about the possibilities
Method 2 of 3: Keep Doing the Tasks
Step 1. Use your imagination and decide to like the topic
If you're having trouble paying attention and staying on task, changing your personality can help a lot. Instead of rolling your eyes and moaning every time you have to study history, correct your handwriting, or do a math problem, try and use your imagination to make assignments more cool and fun. It may sound stupid, but pretending your schoolwork is fun can make it really fun.
- Don't “do math”, pretend to be a rocket scientist learning to create a rocket path, or an astronaut trying to find a way home from the planet Zebulon 4. Pretend you are Albert Einstein, uncovering the secrets of nuclear energy.
- Don't "practice your handwriting," pretend you're translating a secret message from a mysterious government agency, or that you're learning the Klingon language.
Step 2. Write notes
One good way to stay focused on class and learning topics is to take notes. Even if you'll be given a review, or you won't need the information for the test, if you're having trouble paying attention, focus on writing down the important things the teacher said. Don't worry about writing every word, just try to make a list or outline the important things that happened in class. This will help you stay focused and you have a reference for later.
- Taking notes can help you improve your handwriting, which can improve your grades and your relationship with your teacher. Nobody wants to read scribbles.
- Don't worry about listening to the whole material at once, just focus on catching the next important thing your teacher says. Stepping one by one.
Step 3. Prepare for class
You can't focus if you don't have all the necessary equipment, and you're in your seat on time. There's nothing worse for your class reputation than forgetting your math textbook, or having to ask for a pencil or piece of paper you forgot to bring. For each class, it is usually important to have:
- Textbooks or books for a specific class
- Pencils, ink pens or other writing utensils
- Enough sheets of paper or notebook paper to take notes or complete assignments
- Folder or binder for class materials
- Homework done
Step 4. Engage in class discussion
If you don't normally contribute to class, try changing your habits. Raise your hand if you know the answer, and speak in class discussion. Don't talk just to talk, but try to find ways to engage with the topic and other students in your class, instead of just sitting there bored, or causing trouble.
Step 5. Make yourself increase your score
Just like changing your personality about enjoying class, making active choices to improve your grades can be an important first step to getting good grades. If that's the case, you may be more involved in class because, getting good feedback and seeing the results of your hard work.
If you're having trouble, find out about tutoring or homework help available at your school. Many schools have free tutoring programs available for students who want to improve their grades and get a little help, which sometimes everyone needs
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding the Problem
Step 1. Find good friends
At school, your friends will greatly influence your behavior. If your friends joke in class, get into trouble, and make jokes, it will be harder for you to behave well. Try to have friends who want to be successful in school, who are well-behaved, and fun.
- The class clown will always stand out, but that doesn't mean this student is the best friend you can have. Look to the quiet student and try spending time with him during recess, or sitting with someone you don't usually talk to at lunch to see if you can get along with him.
- Don't be afraid to tell your friends that you can't sit next to them because you don't want to get in trouble. If your friend is a true friend, he or she will understand your desire to stay out of trouble and support you.
- Sit quietly. If you want to behave well in class, it's very important that you learn to relax and pay attention to assignments. The best way to do this is to focus on sitting still. Don't fidget, play with objects on your desk, or disturb other students. Sit still and listen to the material.
Step 2. Enjoy time outside of school
For some students, going to school is the only time they can meet friends, making it easier to be tempted to joke and act when you should be studying. To avoid that temptation, try to meet your friends on weekends, after school, and at more convenient times. If you're very busy having fun, you'll probably think of school as an opportunity to sit still.
Ask your parents about joining a sports team or other club if you want to have after-school activities. Chess clubs, and many organizations are available for students who want to get involved and keep busy having fun outside of school
Step 3. Store your mobile phone in a place that you cannot reach
Checking your cell phone is a mistake in almost every class, but it can be very tempting! If you can't leave Facebook, do yourself a favor. Make it impossible. Put your cell phone in your locker before class, so you can't check it even if you want to, or try leaving it at home. If you absolutely have to carry it, turn it off.
Step 4. Get enough rest before school
Sleepiness can make many students distracted and more prone to misbehavior, including acting up, playing with friends, and even falling asleep in class. Drowsiness can also make effective study more difficult. However, if you get enough sleep, you'll be ready to meet a new day and pay attention in class.
- Sleep research at Harvard Medical School states that more sleep means better memory storage. After being asked to memorize a few words, respondents who slept longer the night before scored higher on the test. If you want to improve your behavior and grades, rest more.
- Don't keep your cell phone next to your bed. Many children – as high as 10% according to the National Sleep Study – are awakened and disturbed in the middle of the night by text messages and Facebook on cell phones, making it difficult to fall asleep. If you're having trouble getting sleepy all day, keep your cell phone out of reach.
Step 5. Have a healthy lunch
Too often, it's easy for students to drink soda or eat candy at lunch, because eating fast makes spending time with friends easier. However, it can worsen your blood sugar level, making it harder for you to pay attention during the day. If you want to keep your energy and attention levels high, it's very important to eat a healthy meal in the middle of the day.
- Glucose levels are directly related to the release of adrenaline, which means that when your blood sugar drops, your body adjusts to use adrenaline, making you more easily distracted and restless.
- Try to avoid sweets and soda at lunch. Eating a lot of sugar means you'll be very tired within a few hours, making it very difficult for you to behave well during the day.
- If you don't like the food at your school, take the time in the morning to wrap up a healthy lunch you like. Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrot sticks, or other healthy snacks that you enjoy.
Tips
- Don't call your teacher's name out loud. Raise your hand first.
- Don't interrupt when someone else is talking to the teacher.
- Always pay attention to the teacher. Don't distract yourself by doing things like drawing on a notebook.
- Don't bring distractions, such as marbles or collecting cards, to class.
- Sitting in the front row can be a useful technique. This makes it easier for you to pay attention.
- Remember that students who misbehave will not get good grades or good jobs and a bright future.
Warning
- Don't sit down with friends, especially if you usually get into trouble. Even if you're not a trouble maker, not sitting down with your friends will reduce the urge to talk and joke around.
- If someone is trying to get your attention, tell them you're not interested, or better yet, ignore them.
- Change your ways quickly.
