School is an important thing in your life. School can help you determine what kind of work you want to do in the future and by studying well you will have the provision for a bright future. There are many ways to increase your grades so that you are truly successful in school. Whether you're a failing student who is desperate to get a higher grade, or a regular student trying to raise their grades a little more, or want to take a more difficult subject, this simple guide will be of use to you.
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Part 1 of 8: Equipping School Supplies
Step 1. Always have school supplies handy
Don't be unprepared if you suddenly have to take notes or answer quizzes just because you forgot to bring a pencil/pen/eraser so that you miss some important information.
Step 2. Organize yourself well
Organizing yourself well will help you study better, relax, and always be ready with the tools you need. There are many ways to manage yourself well and it's best to find the one that works best for you. The key is being able to easily find what you need, including retrieving your information and notes. Immediately create a system, including a system for managing files on a good computer, clearing the desk (at least every week) and tidying up textbooks, notebooks, related reference books, and other books.
Use colored markers (highlighters), colorful Post-It sticky notes, and other supplies to label and mark the things you arrange. Color coding is very useful for many people, especially busy people and those who can't read labels
Step 3. Set up the calendar
Choose a calendar that is the right size for your file or folder so you can easily open it and find it when you need it. In this calendar, write down all the exam schedules and assignment submissions, and if the school has a different subject each day, write it there as well. In addition, note the class schedule or the time you plan to do homework. This way you will always be ready for upcoming exams or other events so that you can study and prepare well.
Part 2 of 8: Setting Goals
Step 1. Set long-term or short-term goals
Even if you don't know what you want to work on when you grow up or where you want to go to college, you can try to open up opportunities for yourself as wide as possible.
Step 2. Diligently attend school
You have to work hard at school. If you don't go to school, your grades can immediately drop because you missed a few lessons, making it difficult to catch up again. If you're really sick or have a problem that's keeping you from going to school, ask your parent, guardian, or friend to pass it on to your teacher so you can catch up at home.
Part 3 of 8: Learning Skills
Step 1. Take notes
Notes will help strengthen your memory of the subject matter and also be a means of studying before the test. Make sure you take note of all the important things the teacher says. If it helps, ask for a copy of the course material beforehand so you can focus on recording what the teacher says, not just copying what's written on the board. If the teacher writes on the blackboard and they underline the writing, chances are that what was written was important or it came out on a test later.
Step 2. Be sure to answer/ask at least one question per subject
This will show your teacher that you are actively participating in class. But, more than that, it also forces you to pay attention in order to be able to ask/answer questions. As a result, you will be able to do better on tests and quizzes. The ability to ask questions is a skill you'll need throughout your life, and ensures you stay motivated and capture ideas in all areas of life.
- When you choose to answer a question, make sure you know the answer and that the question is not too easy. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions; teacher's job is to help you.
- Participation in class is often an important factor for assessment. It's okay to raise your hand once or twice in class, especially if you remember that "no stupid questions" when studying in class. Many people wonder the same thing, but don't dare to ask!
Step 3. Active listening
Don't just ask or talk. Also learn to listen. Eighty percent of the questions you encounter on the test are explained in class. The key to being able to better understand the material presented is often by listening to the teacher's explanation.
Part 4 of 8: Doing Homework and Revisions
Step 1. Revise/study at home
Do this in a quiet and undisturbed place. If you have a computer in your room, move the computer or go to another room. Don't study while listening to the radio! Maybe it will help you write more, but at the time of the exam, you will only remember the lyrics of the song.
- Make a schedule. Creating a personal schedule can help you save time on self-study/revision as well as being a benchmark for what you should do now and what your next assignment should be.
- Rewrite your notes. Yes, this may sound tedious and time-consuming, but it can actually help you remember more of what you have written. This method also helps you solve problems you face in class.
Step 2. Do your homework well
While homework is like a torture tool, homework is a way of controlling and helping you to make progress outside of class. It doesn't feel good if you have the task of writing two essays and algebra. So, remember to always do your homework and be smart about managing your time. If you're having serious difficulties, talk to your teacher and your parents to help you organize your homework schedule.
Step 3. Take a break every now and then
Instead of doing multiple tasks at once, set a length of time to do homework. When the allotted time is up, take 20-30 minutes to rest so that your mind doesn't get tired. When you have finished taking a break, go back to doing your homework until it is 100% complete.
Step 4. Start big tasks and projects early
If you have two weeks to work on a project, instead of putting it off until three days before the due date, start working early. That way, you have enough time to plan, research, and ask questions related to the project. All of those experiences won't be too stressful because you don't rush through them. You also have plenty of time to make the project the best it can be, which means you can get better grades.
Step 5. Take practice tests before the exam to increase your understanding of what you need to study
However, be warned, doing a dozen practice tests will be less effective for learning than combining one or two with other forms of learning.
Step 6. Study during school holidays
If after the holidays you take a test and don't study during the holidays, your mind will stop and you may forget a lot of things you learned before the holidays. Therefore, you are more likely to fail tests or have difficulty doing them.
- Take a book for a subject that will be tested later, such as chemistry lessons, then read or read quickly. See all the illustrations, charts, definitions and learn new things like chemical symbols (C is carbon, H is hydrogen, Zn is zinc, Au is gold, Ag is silver.). Read the chapter summary.
- Think of holidays like weekends: Yes, you can relax and have fun, but study at least 3 times a week so you don't forget everything you've learned.
- Ask your parents or friends to sit with you and review what you find difficult, or when you need to remember and retell what you learned.
Part 5 of 8: Group Work
Step 1. Study with your friends
Reviewing lessons with your friends during your free time can help you stay focused.
- Make sure you study with people who can focus on you. Whenever you spend time chatting instead of studying, you're wasting time during group study.
- For some people, working together in a group may be difficult because friends can interfere with your studies. Or, you may be a person who can only learn well if no one is around you; don't take this as a mistake, it's just a matter of personal character––for example, maybe you're a thinker who needs time and space to digest an issue. Be careful, this doesn't mean you can't work in a team; quite the contrary, you may be a good team member if you understand the problem well.
Part 6 of 8: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Ask for an explanation if you don't understand
Asking for help if you don't "get" what a question means is the only way you'll know what to do. Pretending to know and trying to solve them as you go along will only prolong the difficulty and may reduce your score.
Step 2. Learn from mistakes
Don't see mistakes as personal flaws; failure is a guide to doing better. When in class notice if something is corrected. Mark your work clearly and carefully so that it can be used to prevent other mistakes in the future. You will learn a lot if you use your own mistakes and failures to guide you in improving your approach and results.
Step 3. Meet your teacher outside the classroom
If you don't understand a concept during class, seeing the teacher outside of class will help you understand it better and also build a strong relationship between you and your teacher.
Step 4. Get help
Reading manuals may be able to help you in subjects you find difficult. Alternatively, you can go to your teacher for help, ask a friend to guide you, or ask your parents to hire a tutor.
Don't be afraid to ask a tutor for help. They can help you with any subject, and there's no need to feel stupid or embarrassed if you need help
Step 5. Stay persistent
Don't just start out good, but end up falling apart. Continue to carry out your study plan and strive for success. Reward yourself if you do a good job.
Part 7 of 8: During Exams and Tests
Step 1. Relax
Don't worry about the test. Start studying well in advance of the exam so you have time to ask questions if you don't understand.
Part 8 of 8: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Get a good night's sleep
Sleep will improve memory and concentration skills, which in turn will make you more successful in school.
Step 2. Have a nutritious breakfast
Food is energy for your brain and eating before school can help you concentrate and focus. If you can't have breakfast for some reason, ask your teacher if the school has a breakfast program or assistance.
Step 3. Engage in extracurricular activities
By taking extracurriculars, you can make friends, do something fun, and can be added to your resume when you enter college and even in job applications to show that you have a lot of experience.
Find fun activities to balance your efforts. However, don't spend so much time doing it that your homework is neglected
Step 4. Make sure you learn and intend to do your best
You don't need to study for hours, but see how much you have until the test and divide the time in balance to study each day. Remember to balance it. Go out with your friends on the weekends, but don't forget to study.
Tips
- Use the internet as a means rather than for entertainment. Close all pages that contain games, videos, or social media so that you are not tempted to be distracted.
- Don't worry about the other kids in your class not doing their homework; they are not your problem. If you focus on your assignment, it will be you who get good grades, not them. Remember, surround yourself with people who want to be successful and will encourage you to succeed too. Research shows that peer groups are very influential on academic achievement. You also need to have good friends who really intend to go to school. If your friends don't want to go to school, it won't help you to succeed in school.
- Read all kinds of books. In this way, you will learn to understand different texts and it will become interesting. Also, learn to take notes in class, as this is very important when you are in high school. No less important, keep the table tidy. If your desk is tidy, you don't waste time just looking for things.
- Read more to increase reading speed and comprehension. If you can't read well, find a tutor such as an upperclassman, teacher, someone who is willing to listen while you read.
- Smart is cool. Don't panic if you think being smart is weird. Smart people are people who can be successful in life. If someone bullies you because you're smart, get up and say to them like this, "If I've succeeded, you'll still be left behind!"
- Get your parents involved. Ask them to check your work. Maybe you or your teacher misjudged your work.
- Double-check your answer if you don't know if your answer is correct. Most importantly, relax! It's okay if you fail one test. Don't let one test ruin your life.
- If you have friends who are annoying in class, tell them that you'll meet them during recess or lunch and sit next to someone who doesn't bother you. Annoying friends can lower your grades.
- Be attentive in class and listen carefully to what your teacher has to say. Don't sit next to people you know you're going to talk to. Likewise, if you have friends or acquaintances, try not to sit with them in class unless asked by the teacher because you might end up chatting with them. Focus more on your studies. If your classmates want to interrupt, just ignore them, they will eventually stop.
- Sit up straight. Posture is important, if during class you feel pain, your concentration in general can be disturbed. Concentrate on the teacher and learn from your own mistakes and those of other students. Study hard, but make sure to take a break sometimes. Be positive and keep going no matter what the obstacles are. Make sure you can see the whiteboard or multimedia in each lesson. It's better to be able to see clearly than to sit in an uncomfortable place just so you can be close to your best friend.
- Don't give up hope to keep working hard. Getting a bad grade doesn't mean your world is collapsing. Keep learning and trying! If necessary, create study groups with friends. You will get better grades!
- Ask a question. If you're not confident enough, follow these little tips, tutor a friend or a classmate, it can definitely boost your confidence and make you smile, even if it's difficult.
Warning
- Don't procrastinate. It will only make you more stressed and make the quality of your work worse.
- Make sure you make friends with people who support you, no matter what you do, and are real friends. Reviewing course material with friends can help you identify and improve areas where you lack confidence.
- Do not cheat. You can get in trouble at school and get punished. You gain nothing, jeopardize your grades and could lose pocket money over the next 4 weeks. This also applies to cheating between friends and copy paste on the computer.
- If things are difficult for you, don't worry, think of something that makes you happy and everything will be fine. Remember you are not the only one who feels this way.
- Keep calm and don't confuse yourself with exams or assignments. It's okay to be nervous, but don't let that nervousness drown out your true abilities.
- It's okay to have fun or rest, but not at the start! If you put off doing homework, and you end up losing 3 hours of sleep, or you get a bad grade for not turning in your homework, you'll often be rewarded too (whether it comes from your own body because you don't get enough rest, from your parents because you get bad grades, or from your teacher, for not collecting assignments.)
