No magic can change your grade from C to A: you have to use your brain and willpower to do it! With hard work and following these study techniques and tips, you can improve your grades in no time and completely change this school year. To get started, see step 1.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Planning for Success
Step 1. Pay attention to the lessons in class
The best thing you can do to increase your score is to focus and pay attention when the information is presented to you. It's easy to lose focus when the teacher says something that doesn't interest you, but you shouldn't. Listen carefully to what they have to say and stay attentive by asking questions and taking notes.
Step 2. Take notes
It may sound funny, but notes are actually a great way to increase your score. Good notes are like a map, when you go to study. It also shows your teacher that you are serious in class. You don't have to write everything down, just write the basics. You know when you tell your parents what happened in class today? That's how you take notes. Take the big idea, with the more important things noted in more detail.
- If you notice something is confusing you, write that down too! Even if you don't understand what the teacher is saying, you have a note for yourself in case you need to find out about it later.
- Take notes by hand, not a computer. This will make it easier for you to remember.
Step 3. Ask questions if you don't understand
When you don't understand a concept or fact that the teacher is discussing in class or what you read in a book, don't be afraid to ask! Smart people don't know everything instantly, they always want to know things they don't know.
- If you are nervous about asking questions in public, you can talk to the teacher outside of class and ask for further explanation.
- You also shouldn't feel that the teacher will get angry when you don't understand. The teacher will be happy when you are interested and want to ask about it.
- If your teacher doesn't explain it in a way you can understand or you're not comfortable with, try looking online for explanations. You can sometimes find youtube videos of school lessons, but there are also sites and forums that go over your question and explain it better.
Step 4. Review the lesson syllabus
Your teacher may give you a syllabus at the beginning of the year or semester. This is a written list of all the subjects that will be covered throughout the year. You should take a good look at this syllabus and ask your teacher about anything that doesn't make sense. Pair it with your notes, it will be a good guide and map in your learning process.
Step 5. Prepare snacks throughout the day
You may not realize that your problem is not being able to concentrate just because you are hungry! Try to eat snacks between classes, as well as drink water, to help your brain concentrate and absorb the material.
Your snacks should be high in protein, which gives you a lot of energy. Try the salami sticks or soy and almonds
Step 6. Try to figure out how to succeed with this learning style
Everyone learns in a different way. Some people learn better by moving and using their bodies. Some people learn better with pictures. Some people learn better when they hear words or music. Think about what suits you.
- For example, if you are an auditory learner (one who learns better by listening), ask your teacher if you can record the lesson for later listening.
- If you don't know your learning style, you can take the test here or you can take some online tests. You can also analyze your own experiences in class.
- If you're a visual learner, look for a table or site that outlines the information you need and how the ideas relate.
Method 2 of 4: Study Effectively
Step 1. Start learning right away
Don't delay! Waiting until the last moment will only make your grades worse. Your brain doesn't have enough time to really understand the material. It just makes you remember the material wrong or don't remember anything. Basically, you should set aside time each night to look back at the material from the previous week and make sure you remember and understand everything.
- This means when you study for a test, all you have to do is refresh.
- Try to go back to the old material as much as possible, to help incorporate the ideas in your brain.
Step 2. Reread the notes
Having good notes allows you to quickly look at the material and refresh your memory. If you don't understand it the first time, your notes will give you clues to find the information you need. Organize your notes by topic and view one topic at a time.
Sometimes related topics will be covered at different points of the year. You may have to compare the information you learned in September with what you got in January to get the full picture
Step 3. Create a study guide
Sometimes your teacher will have a study guide, but if not, you'll have to make your own. A study guide is an elaboration of the information covered in the test and lists the most important facts and ideas. These are usually used to prepare for tests but they can also be used to catch up on regular subjects. Make your own every time you finish studying a unit and you'll be ready for whatever your teacher gives you.
Make study cards. Study cards are like mini study guides, with a single concept or a set of facts. You can study like flashcards, giving yourself 2-3 cards each day, covering material from the last week so it stays fresh in your memory
Step 4. Create a study wall
Build a study wall. Have you ever seen a mind map? This is where you write your idea on a card and then place it on the wall, then connect cards that are similar to the first card! Make tables, diagrams, and descriptions written on a piece of paper, then stick them on the wall. Study from the wall and when test time comes, you can think where the information you need is on your wall and it's easier for you to remember!
Step 5. Use remembering techniques
You may have to memorize a bit for the information already to be remembered. Different people remember better with different techniques, so you'll have to do a little experimentation. The most important thing is to start the process early and spend more time on it, so that your brain has enough time. You can try the memory techniques below:
- Only do a small part each time. When trying to remember, don't remember more than 5 items at a time. Really remember those 5 items before moving on to the next 5 items. If you try to do it straight away, it will be difficult.
- Use mnemonics. Mnemonics are when you use acronyms or other keys to remember lists or concepts. For example, "Memory Needs Every Method Of Nurturing Its Capacity" is a mnemonic for spelling mnemonics. Look up mnemonics about what you're learning, or you can create your own!
- Use flash cards. Flashcards are very useful for learning vocabulary and other things like dates. Write yourself a question or word on one side of the card, and an answer or definition on the other.
Step 6. Take effective breaks
You will learn more effectively if you rest effectively. MIT recommends taking a 10-minute break after work or study for 50 minutes. They also recommend using this time to eat or exercise, as this will keep your brain sharp and productive.
Step 7. Make sure you have a good environment to study in
You need this to learn. Your learning process should be free of distractions, so turn off your phone! You need to focus because every time you're distracted, studies show it takes 25 minutes to refocus.
- Sometimes, you can find a great place in a busy house if you can think outside the box: try the downstairs or the bathroom. If your home isn't good enough for studying, try a library or coffee shop.
- Oftentimes, we tell ourselves that we need something, like television or music, to help us focus when it's really just a distraction. If you are 30% of an auditory learner, you can learn more effectively by saying what you are learning, as opposed to trying to learn with other voices competing for your focus.
Method 3 of 4: Study Well
Step 1. Eat right and get enough sleep
Eating badly makes it hard for your brain to think, because it doesn't have the tools it needs. It's the same with sleep. Many researchers say when we sleep, our brain clears toxins and other harmful materials that make us unable to think clearly. Get 8 hours of sleep a day (or whatever keeps you fresh throughout the day), and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Avoid junk food, sugar, and too much fat. You should eat fruit, vegetables (kale and spinach are great), and healthy protein sources like fish and nuts
Step 2. Stay organized
Keep all your tasks in a folder and create a deadline calendar. Staying organized like this will keep you from forgetting assignments and tests. It will also help you schedule study and rest times.
Stay organized in terms of your workplace too. You have to get rid of things that can be a distraction from your desk
Step 3. Start with what you know
When studying, start by evaluating what you know. You can set aside the information you know to review it at the end. Just make sure you're completely comfortable with the material and set aside a little time to review it just before the test. When you put this aside, you can focus on conquering the information you don't understand.
Step 4. Prepare for the test
When you know a test is coming up, you need to devote time and focus to make sure you focus on the material. Talk to the teacher for additional tips on how to prepare for the test. At least you can ask questions about the format of the test, and how the scoring system is.
- Study for the test in the test room. Visual learners will usually benefit from this technique. Your brain will associate the space with the learning you are doing and the information you are learning, making it easier to remember.
- Many studies argue that moving from room to room makes you remember better. This technique, however, can cause a lot of distraction so use it with caution and if it doesn't seem to help, just stop it.
- Take practice exams. These practice exams help you overcome test jitters and help you understand what you will face on the test. Do it together with friends and take some tests. You can even ask the teacher for help for this!
Step 5. Do time management
Time management is crucial to getting good grades on assignments and exams. Often we spend more time than we should study because we are distracted, or we shouldn't spend time studying because we don't have any free time. When you miss out on non-essential activities, like playing Candy Crush or checking Facebook, you'll find that you have more time to study and relax! Prioritize only what's important and you'll have plenty of time to learn.
Method 4 of 4: Getting Additional Help
Step 1. Ask the teacher for advice
If you really want to change your grades but it doesn't work, try talking to a teacher. Set up an after-school or lunchtime meeting and explain your problem: You're trying to improve your grades, but studying more, taking notes, and other ways aren't working. They may be able to understand why you are struggling and help you deal with the problem.
Step 2. Request additional credit
If you're working hard on your lessons and can show your teacher that you've really changed the way you study, you might consider asking for extra credit, or even a side project. This might turn your C grade into an A!
Make sure you explain to your teacher everything you've done, so they know you're serious. Many teachers don't like extra credit, but they may sympathize if he sees you serious
Step 3. Find a tutor
If you're really having a hard time, ask your teacher or university tutor center if they can help you find a tutor. Finding a tutor doesn't mean you admit you're stupid, these tutors are just what, like a code book or translator. Everyone has something they don't understand at some point and you make an important decision using all available resources to work around that.
Step 4. Study in groups
When you study with others, you are combining the separate parts into one. You can compare notes or discuss class to make sure you get the most, the best understanding of the material. Just remember: you have to give your best too for your friends or no one will want to study with you.
Step 5. Give yourself context
Sometimes, if you are really immersed in an environment that gives you a glimpse into what you are learning, this will help you understand it better. Look for ways to bring the subject matter to life and give context to what's going on and you'll find you're connecting with the material in ways you've never been before.
- So, for example, going to a history museum and seeing things firsthand when you study history. Another example is conducting a science experiment rather than just reading it from a book.
- If you want to try some science experiments, wikiHow can help. Try making your own colored fire or cloud!
Step 6. Look for help online
You have a lot of online help that can help you explain the material you are studying. You can do a search in communities that are interested in material you don't understand or sites that specifically discuss the matter. Just remember: you're not looking for answers just to be copied. If you really want to increase your grades, what you need is to find someone who can help you understand. Some good places to start are:
- https://www.mathsisfun.com/
- https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
- https://www.cosmeo.com/bysubject.cfm?science
- https://quizlet.com/
Tips
- Always try to participate in class, this way if you make a mistake, the teacher can correct it and you probably won't repeat the mistake again.
- Seek additional help. If your parents are too busy to help, ask the teacher for help.
- Understand concepts by reading, which will form the basis, and practice questions constantly and remember common error problem areas. Consistently improve your accuracy to achieve higher scores.
- If the teacher reviews a quiz or test in class, always take it, you may find that you make a mistake that you did. If they don't do it in class, do it yourself at home.
- If you get stuck on a question, ask a friend who understands it, or a teacher. He can help you with this.
- With math, you can try using a calculator after you're done with all the problems to check if you really understand your work.
- If you are studying math problems, try to check the answers in the back of your book. If you see your answer is wrong, go back and rework until you get it right.
- Talk to the teacher, they are there to help.
- It would be a good idea to record your notes and play them back later, then try to write down what you remember. This will help you see how much more you need to learn and you will feel better when you see how much you have memorized.
- Start a study group with classmates.
- Always make time to reflect on what you've done, look at your notes, close them, then work on problems from the book. Ask your teacher for additional ways to study in your spare time, such as in the library, and he or she can tell you specific sections that are suitable for studying with note cards and memorization, or using notebooks and essay projects. Teachers are always willing to help!
- Don't procrastinate, focus on your task.
Warning
- Don't underestimate homework. Even if you do well on the test, homework can lower your grades. Depending on the class, you may get good marks on the test but still fail the whole class.
- Don't throw away what you need. It's best to talk to your teacher about what you should or shouldn't keep.
