If you can’t find a quiet place to study, wear noise cancellation headphones (but don’t play any music). Find time to study when most of your peers are doing something else. For instance, if you finish lunch early, head to the library or any other quiet place that won’t be too crowded.
If you are still procrastinating, ask a friend or family member to keep you accountable. You could say something like, “Could you check on me in an hour to make sure I’m still studying?” Repeat positive affirmations to yourself if you feel like you’re struggling to understand something. For example, you might tell yourself: “I can master these equations!” and/or “I am going to ace this test!”
Use a highlighter to draw attention to important information or write your questions on sticky notes.
If you’re struggling to raise a low grade, ask your teacher if there’s anything you can do for extra credit. They’ll be impressed by your dedication!
If you play sports or do any extracurricular activities, let your coach or teacher know that you might need to leave early or arrive a little late to make time for your studies. If your attendance is mandatory (like for theatre performances or championship sports games), plan your study time around the event. Don’t forget to pencil in small breaks to allow your brain some resting time!
For instance, if you’re studying for algebra, have a friend write out some equations for you to solve. Time yourself if you struggle with time management during test-taking. For Language Arts courses, practicing writing paragraphs using relevant vocabulary words and varied sentence structures. Make it fun by writing a review of your favorite movie or jotting down your opinions on something you’re interested in.
Read something you like to get you into it. If you have a friend who likes to read, ask them for recommendations. Go to your school or local library and ask the librarian for recommendations based on your likes and dislikes in other mediums. For instance, you might say, “I really love superhero and mystery movies, do you have any books that have those kinds of themes?”
Try to come up with as many ideas as you can. If you are stuck, do some research for more information. Think of this exercise as a form of word or idea association.
Paste a copy of your class schedule somewhere in your house where you’ll see it everyday. Write reminders to bring certain items certain days. That way, you’ll know exactly what class you have and what materials you’ll need.
This means putting your math papers in your math folder, your Language Arts papers in your Language Arts folder, your science papers in your science folder, and so on. Use color coding or label your folders and place them into either your desk or backpack neatly. This way, you will have an easier time searching for your folders and will have more time to review what you have learned yesterday. If you like, you can also place bookmarks in all of your folders to make them easier to be found when you take your folders home.
Write down any other reminders (birthdays, special materials for classes, study group dates/times) in the “notes” section of your planner.
For example, one drawer can be dedicated to writing utensils, another can hold hole punchers and staplers, and a third can store extra printer paper, journals, and folders. If you don’t have a desk with drawers, use table-top paper racks, pencil holders, shoe boxes, and/or storage bins to keep like items together.
For example, if the teacher says the definition of “ransack” is “to search through in a way that causes disorder,” you might write: “ransack: to pillage—like a pirate!” The more questions you ask, the more you’ll know about a certain topic. Teachers expect you to ask questions and form an impression of you based on how willing you are to do so. In some cases, class participation also counts toward your overall grade. Concentrate on staying focused. Keep your eyes on the teacher, keep your ears open, and keep taking notes. Sit in the front row if you’re prone to distractions.
If you see your friends passing notes, don’t engage. Whatever you have to say can wait until after class. If friends constantly try to distract you, don’t be mean! Just tell them you are working and say you will talk later during recess or lunch. They’ll understand and may even feel the same way themselves.
Avoid looking at your phone or watching television for an hour or two before bedtime. Do something relaxing like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or drawing. Avoid relying on caffeine to perk you up from a sleepless night. You may feel more energized after lots of coffee or an energy drink, but you won’t be able to focus nearly as well due to underlying sleep deprivation. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
If your homework involves hand-written answers, write as legibly as possible using your teacher’s preferred tool (black/blue ink pen or pencil). Don’t rush it and check over your work when you’re finished.
Sometimes teachers will deduct points for late assignments, and some won’t accept late work at all! Look at your syllabus to find out the penalty for late work.
Make sure your goals are reasonable and achievable. For instance, a reasonable goal would be: “I will read the first 20 pages of the text before taking a break and finishing the last 20 pages. ” An example of an unrealistic goal is: “I’m going to finish the entire book tonight before I can do anything else.
Grammatical errors Legible handwriting Relevance (i. e. , you’ve addressed the questions/topic/prompt) Depth of understanding (i. e. , your work displays that you understand the concepts at hand)
