Participating in Class
Attend class every day unless you’re sick. Going to class will help you learn the coursework. Plus, it gives you a chance to impress your teacher with your thoughts and questions. Go to school everyday so you can stay on top of your coursework. Be on time for class so your teacher sees that you're taking school seriously. It’s important to stay home if you’re ill. Contact your teacher to get your assignments and ask a classmate for a copy of their notes. Additionally, do any assignments that you miss.
Bring all of the materials you need for class. Being prepared for class is super important because it ensures you have the tools for success. Additionally, it shows your teacher that you’re ready to learn, which helps you have a great reputation. Read your syllabus or talk to your teacher to make sure you have the items you need every day. For instance, always have a writing utensil, something to write on, and your text. If your school allows electronics, bring your laptop or tablet for note taking. If you can’t afford your class materials, that’s okay! Talk to your teacher to find out how you can get help getting the supplies you need to be successful.
Read the texts your teacher assigns before class. You probably have a ton of stuff to do, so you might be tempted to skip the readings your teacher assigns. However, this can make it hard for you to learn the material. Always do your assigned readings before the day of class so you’re fully prepared to discuss the subject matter. Reading the text ahead of time also allows you to figure out what you don’t understand so you can ask questions in class.
Make notes on the reading to use during class discussions. If you’re allowed to mark up your book, highlight important passages and make notes. If you can’t write in your book or have a digital book, write your notes in your notebook. Review your notes before class so that you have something to say during the class discussion. As an example, you might write, “The weather seems to represent the main character’s mood,” or “The two generals could have won the battle if they’d worked together instead of against each other.” It’s also helpful to write down questions that you want to ask. For instance, you might plan to ask, “Is the star in this story a symbol? What does it symbolize?”
Ask questions about material you don’t understand. You may feel embarrassed when you don’t understand something, but it’s normal to have questions. In fact, it shows everyone that you’re a good student who wants to learn! If you have a question, ask it during class or talk to your teacher after class. It’s best to ask questions during class. You might even be helping your classmates who have the same question. If you’re too shy to ask, stay for a few minutes after class, talk to your teacher after school, or send your teacher an email. EXPERT TIP Alicia Oglesby Alicia Oglesby Professional School Counselor Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. Alicia Oglesby Alicia Oglesby Professional School Counselor Push yourself to participate in class. It’s understandably hard for shy students to speak up in class, but try and find ways to boost your participation. Let your teacher know privately if you're struggling to speak up in class. You can also wait to ask questions one-on-one after class.
Take good notes during class lectures or discussions. Class discussions and lectures have a lot of important information that will help you understand your coursework. Write down the topics your teacher highlights in class. Additionally, note the important details they focus on during the class discussion. As an example, write down important names, dates, and concepts in history class. When studying literature, take notes about topics like theme and literary devices that the author uses, such as symbolism or metaphor. Your teacher will likely pull a lot of their test questions from the class discussion, so good notes can help you ace your exams.
Developing Good Study Habits
Schedule time for homework and studying into your routine. It’s important that you take time to study and do your homework daily so that it’s a habit. Pick a time that works best for you, such as right after school, during study hall, or in the morning before school. Then, dedicate this time to your homework or study sessions. For instance, you might set aside 30 minutes before school and 1 hour every evening after dinner. You might have days when you have less homework. Use these days to review your notes, make flashcards, or start preparing for a test.
Create a distraction-free study environment. Pick a spot that feels comfortable and serves as a good workspace, like a desk in your bedroom or your kitchen table. Turn off your electronics or remove them from your study space, and get rid of other distractions, as well. Then, put the items that you need for studying nearby. For instance, place writing utensils and paper in your workspace so you always have them.
Do your homework and study every day. You’ll be more academically successful if you consistently study. Use your study time every day, even if you don’t have assignments due. Read your texts, review your notes, use flashcards, or work on future assignments. This will help you absorb the material better so that you can remember it for your exams. Additionally, it’ll help you avoid getting behind when you’re having a busy week.
Break bigger assignments into smaller chunks so they’re easier to do. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by major assignments, like essays, projects, and tests. To make them easier, break them up into smaller, easy-to-accomplish steps. Then, check off each step so that it’s easier to get your assignment done. Start working on your assignment as soon as you get it instead of waiting until right before it’s due. For instance, let's say your teacher assigns a research paper that's due in 3 weeks. You might pick your topic on the day you get the assignment. Then, spend 2-3 days doing initial research before writing your thesis statement. Next, you could give yourself a week to do more research and write a first draft, then another week to do revisions. This leaves you 2-3 days to proofread and finalize your paper. As another example, let's say you have a week to build a molecule for science class. You might spend the first day researching the molecule you plan to build. On day 2, you might sketch the molecule and buy your supplies. Then, you could build the model over the next 5 days.
Improving Your Grades
Use a planner to keep track of assignment due dates. Your workload will likely increase as the school year progresses, and it’s easy to lose track of when assignments are due. Write down every assignment that you receive and its due date. Additionally, add study and homework goals to your planner. This will help you stay on top of your school work. You can buy a planner or make your own.
Organize your class materials in a binder, folder, or notebook. Keep your handouts, assignments, and notes in a 3-ring binder or folder. Additionally, store your digital files on your computer, in a Google Drive, or on a flash drive. If you prefer, write your class notes in a spiral notebook. Sort through these items weekly to make sure they stay organized. If you work on different computers, use a flash drive or Google Drive to make it easier to access your files from any computer. Don’t throw away your classwork until the end of the year. Instead, leave your work in your class folder or in a folder that you keep at home. This way you can go back and study it if you need to do so.
Turn in your assignments on time so you get full credit. You work hard on your school work, so you want to get the credit you deserve. Make sure you always turn in your assignments on time so you don’t lose points for being late. This includes both homework and major assignments, like essays or projects. Sometimes you might have a legitimate excuse for being late, such as a major illness. If this happens, talk to your teacher before the assignment is due so you can get an extension. This way you can still get full credit for your work.
Join a study group to share knowledge and ideas. Studying with your peers allows you all to learn better. You can share your knowledge and get tips from your classmates. Look for a study group at your school or form one by inviting your classmates to a study session. Stay on task during your study group sessions. Don’t talk about anything other than your school work. Spending time with other aspiring achievers can motivate you to do your best.
Attend tutoring if you need help understanding a topic. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble understanding your coursework because that’s a common problem. Instead, attend after-school tutoring with your teacher or go to peer tutoring. This will help you better understand so you can do well on your assignments. It’s likely that the information you’re going to learn next will build on what you’re learning now, so it’s essential that you understand. Your teacher is there to help, so don't be afraid to ask questions.
Getting Involved in Your School Culture
Join student council to take an active role in your school. The student council is your school’s student leadership body, so being a member shows everyone that you’re involved in your school. Run for student office each year to show your school pride and try for a leadership position. If you lose the election, join student council as a student body member. For instance, you might run for student body president, secretary, or treasurer. If you aren’t elected, don’t despair! You can still participate in student council, typically as a student body member. Talk to a member of student council or the faculty adviser to find out more information.
Take part in clubs or organizations that interest you. Look for clubs or organizations that are related to your interests or hobbies. Then, attend their meetings to figure out if you want to participate in them. Pick a few clubs that feel like a good fit for you. As an example, you might join the art club if you enjoy making art or the Spanish club if you’re interested in learning Spanish or participating in cultural events.
Try out for a sport if you enjoy athletics. Playing sports is a great way to participate in your school’s culture! Attend tryouts for the sports you enjoy so you can play on a team. You could play one or more sports, depending on your interests. If you like sports but don’t want to play, ask about being a team manager or athletic trainer so you can still be part of the team.
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