AN ONLINE PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT,SYLLABUSES, STUDY NOTES/ MATERIALS ,PAST PAPERS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR THE STUDENTS,FORM I--VI ,RESITTERS,QT, ADULT LEARNERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, PUPILS, TEACHERS, PARENTS,TEACHERS OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND WORLDWIDE.YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS.ENJOY MASATU BLOG.YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.YOU CAN ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE. "LEARN.REVISE.DISCUSS".Anytime, Anywhere.
AN ONLINE PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT,SYLLABUSES, STUDY NOTES/ MATERIALS ,PAST PAPERS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR THE STUDENTS,FORM I--VI ,RESITTERS,QT, ADULT LEARNERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, PUPILS, TEACHERS, PARENTS,TEACHERS OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND WORLDWIDE.YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS.ENJOY MASATU BLOG.YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.YOU CAN ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE. "LEARN.REVISE.DISCUSS".Anytime, Anywhere.
Getting good grades is no longer for the nerds. Succeeding in school
is for those who want to start early on going to the best schools,
getting the best jobs, and making the most of themselves. To start
piling on the A's now, read on!
Part 1 of 5: Getting Organized
1
Get a planner or calendar.
Whether it's a day planner you carry in your backpack, a calendar on
your wall at home, or a to-do list you make at the end of every day, it
can help you keep track of when assignments are due and stay organized.
At the beginning of the term, when you get a syllabus, write down every
test, quiz, and assignment due date. Do this for each class.
Every day when you get home from school, check your calendar and see
what needs to be done before tomorrow, as well as what's on the horizon
for the next few days. Check off what you have already done.
2
Organize your locker/backpack/desk.
Organizing whatever you use every day helps your mind feel
clutter-free. It may sound silly, but when your visual environment is
simple and orderly, your mind can concentrate on the more important
stuff. Once a week, clean out your locker or backpack and organize your
desk. It only takes a few minutes.
You won't lose things when you automatically put them where they
belong. Having a backpack, desk, or locker that's full of loose papers
just gets confusing and frustrating.
3
Make a study schedule.
You have a calendar for the week or month, but you need a weekly study
schedule, too. Map out your week to see when your studying can and
should get done. That way you know just how much time you can devote to
each class and when it makes the most sense to study for each one.
Use your common sense when it comes to allotting time to specific
classes. For example, Badminton needs a lot less time than Principals of
Celestial Mechanics.
Make sure you have an agenda so that you can write down all of your
test, when you have to study, and when you have homework due.
Part 2 of 5: Absorbing Information
1
Know your learning style.
The fact of the matter is that certain techniques don't work for
certain people. Some of us learn with our hands, some of us with our
eyes, and some of us with our ears (and others a combination). If you
can't remember a dang thing your professor said, maybe you're just going
about it the wrong way.
Once you find out your learning style, you can hone in on what's
best for you. Do you remember best the things you've seen? Then study
those notes and make graphs! The things you've heard? Go to class and
record those lectures. Things you do with your hands? Turn the concepts
into something you can build.
2
Read the textbook. As
much as it is boring and monotonous, it's incredibly useful -- sometimes
professors don't even mention the info in class! After reading a
paragraph, revise it in your head without looking. Then read it again.
It will stay in your mind for a longer time. It is particularly
effective when you have less time for studying.
Often the things mentioned in class that are also mentioned in the
book are the most important (duh). If you run across some of this while
reading, highlight it. You'll want to know where it is to find it later.
Don't write off the benefits of scanning. Concentrating on the main
ideas (the highlighted text, italics, etc.) will get your mind going.[1] If you can fill in the blanks, great! If you can't, read deeper.
3
Take good notes. For
most courses in middle school, high school, and junior/community
college, most of what is on the tests and homework will be discussed in
the class. If your teacher draws a diagram on the board, copy that down -
it can help you remember the information.
Write good, legible notes. Use highlighters if there's something you
need to find easily flipping through your notes, but don't highlight
too much text or it defeats the purpose. Colored pens are fun to write
with if you want to get more creative with your notes, but use them only
for sections of your notes that you feel will be on a test or are
important.
4
Study effectively.
Wasting nights pouring over books and emerging feeling like you've
gotten nothing out of it is just about the worst. Instead of falling
asleep over your textbook, try the following:
Make a study guide and review it. Look in the textbook and put all
important ideas and details in your notes. Go over it until you feel
like you know the material well. If you've written it, you'll probably
remember more of it.
Make someone test you on the study guide. Talking about the
information out loud is a lot easier to retain than going over the same
stuff in your brain over and over. When you have to explain it to
someone else, it forces you to understand it, not just know it.
Invent fun ways to study. Make flash cards, have a friend over, or
join an after-school homework club if you can for help from a teacher or
friend from the same class. You can make a board game to make studying
fun and easy, or you can just type up your notes if it makes it easier
to read. Do as much as possible to make sure you know the material.
5
Participate in class.
You've done your homework, so you're totally prepared to participate in
class. Show that you know your stuff! There are a few reasons this is a
good idea. The most important one is that participating in class will
cement in your head the stuff you learned from doing your homework
(before it was more like Jell-O).
The second good reason is that it will cement the information in
your brain. Seriously. Talking about it out loud (especially in class,
where it's a bit more stressful than when with a friend) uses a
different part of your brain than just writing about it. This way,
you're covering all your bases.
The third good reason is that your professor will totally appreciate
it. No teacher likes a room full of crickets. Get on their good side,
and you'll get treated better when grade time comes around or when you
ask for extra credit.
6
Ask for help. If you're
not sure what's required for a good grade or are struggling with the
coursework, ask your teacher for help. It doesn't have to be a complex
question; your teacher is always happy to help you. Ask after class,
during office hours, or in an e-mail for assistance.[2]
Often things we're told one-on-one stick with us more than things
we're just being lectured about. In addition to the personalized
learning session, your teacher will appreciate your efforts and straight
up probably like you more. Having a teacher that likes you can come in
very, very, very handy.
Part 3 of 5: Doing Your Homework
1
Do your homework immediately after school.
Time management is essential. If you're given an assignment that's due
next week, don't procrastinate; get started within a few days of
receiving the assignment. The more time you have, the less you'll
stress.
If possible, try to get assignments finished at least two or three
days before the due date. This is to avoid last minute emergencies, like
"the dog eating your paper," a party invitation, the printer running
out of ink, illness, family emergency, etc. Most teachers will deduct
points for each day your work is late. Some do not accept late papers at
all.
Homework counts for a large portion of your grade. If your teacher
has any extra credit assignments, do them! It won't hurt if you try it
out. Even if you get some wrong, your teachers will still notice your
effort to try to learn more.
2
Put homework first.
Set yourself goals and make sure you reach them before you go out and
party. Having a social life is important, but your grades can affect a
lot of your choices for the future. Schedule time each day to study,
just as you would schedule dates or parties.
You can reward yourself for getting your homework done! Once you've
completed it, it's TV, food, or party time. If that's not enough, ask if
mom or dad can help you get incentivized. They want you to get good
grades, too!
3
Work with friends.
Studying for tests with friends is super beneficial, so why not do
homework with friends, too?! Not only will you stay motivated (and
possibly stay interested in the class), but you'll be able to combine
your levels of awesome and get things done more quickly, effectively,
and possibly creatively.
The key here is to choose a friend that will pull his/her weight.
You don't want to work with a friend that expects you to do all the
work. Nor do you want a friend that wants neither of you to work! Choose a friend that's as goal-oriented as you are.
4
Don't plagiarize. The quickest way to get a zero on an assignment is to plagiarize it. Technology is amazing nowadays and your teacher will
know if you're plagiarizing. Whether it's Google Translate or a speech
by Martin Luther King, Jr., they'll know. So don't risk it.
Part 4 of 5: Preparing for Tests
1
Study with a friend.
There is strength in numbers, even when it comes to studying. Bouncing
ideas off each other and combining knowledge is a resource that is
invaluable. Just make sure you don't distract each other!
This takes the information off the page and makes it fun and
memorable. When you have to explain something to a friend, your brain
has to wrap around it, instead of just taking it in and hoping that it
stays.[3] Make flashcards and study guides for each other to cover all the material.
2
Use memory tricks.
Things like mnemonic devices can really trigger information that doesn't
otherwise want to stick. Odds are you probably know Roy G. Biv for the
order of the colors of the rainbow or "My very exhausted mother just
slept until noon." for the order of the planets. Why's that? They're
effective mnemonic devices that stick in your mind!
Associations work, too. If you're trying to remember that India used
to be a British colony, picture the queen jogging laps around the Taj
Mahal. When the test comes, you may not remember what you actually should remember, but you'll remember enough to jog your memory!
3
Study in the right places.
First things first, you need a good, calm place to study. Make sure you
have a sweater in case it gets cold, a good, comfy chair, some dark
chocolate (brain power![4]), a bottle of water, and whatever else you may need. That way, you'll have few interruptions.
Research also shows that you should study in more than one
place. It sounds a little funny, but your brain makes associations with
your environment. So the more associations it has, the more likely you
are to retain the information.[5] Locate all the comfy chairs and study in them all!
4
Stop cramming. Although
it's inevitable sometimes, cramming isn't the way to go. In fact, taking
breaks is good for your brain and will help you retain more. Try to study in 20-50 minute intervals, taking five or ten minutes in between.[6]
And if you're on top of things, it's best to study over a full week.
Several sessions will cement the knowledge in your head and by the end
you'll be able to notice how much better you know the content, allowing
you to relax and be confident.
5
Relax. Easier said than
done? Remember - you have all of the answers in your head already! The
only challenge is getting them out! Your first instinct is nearly always
correct. Don't go back and change answers. If you are really not sure,
skip it and come back later.
Always read the questions given on a test. Skimming over them might tell you the opposite of what you need to do.
If you're uncertain about the wording of a test question, go and ask
the teacher what it means. As long as you don't flat out ask for the
answer to a question, just what they meant by the question; they will
usually answer.
6
Get a good night's rest.
You need sleep in order to stay focused, and without it, you will have a
hard time staying on task and may forget what you just learned. That's
part of the reason why cramming is so evil!
Sleep is wonderful. Sleep deprivation can lead to accidents, dumbs you down, and can actually cause health problems.[7] If you have to choose between one last cramming session and sleep, choose sleep.
Part 5 of 5: Making Grade-A Decisions
1
Choose the right classes.
In college, though sometimes in high school too, it's tempting to
choose classes that look super impressive or are just plain out of your
reach. While taking difficult classes is great and you'll learn a lot,
limit it to one or two. If all you have is rocket science, you're bound
to get overwhelmed. Take Rocket Science 101 and Sand Volleyball. Your
brain deserves the break!
Choose the right amount of classes, too. Being absolutely
time-swamped won't do you any favors. When will you study? Stick to the
normal amount (4 or 5 classes per semester for college) and do well in
those. It's better to do well in a few than to do mediocre in many.
2
Go. The simplest way to
get good grades is just to show up to class in the first place. Not only
will you get the credit for attendance (hopefully), but you won't miss
any imperative announcements, concepts the professor stresses, or bonus
questions the teacher includes in class (sneaky buggers, aren't they?).
If you're ever on the borderline between grades, going to class will help you.
Professors often look at attendance to see if the student's grade
should be rounded up or down in questionable circumstances. Give
yourself the benefit of the doubt and go!
3
Keep track of your grades.
You won't get a high score if you don't aim for one. Some schools have
an online place where you can check your grades whenever you want.
Utilize this and make sure that you have a username and password from
your teacher. If not, ask your teacher for your grade to know where you
stand.
4
Eat a good, healthy breakfast every day.
It is known that if students eat a good and healthy breakfast every
morning, they generally get good grades and are able to focus better in
school.[8] Even if you're not hungry early in the morning, bring something with you for later.
You want to be not hungry -- not stuffed to the brim and sick.
Instead of a six-egg omelette, go for a bowl of cereal and an orange.
You'll feel more able to focus on your studies instead of that rock in
your stomach.
5
Improve your memory
with games. Give your brain a workout - try some fun puzzle exercises
every day such as crosswords, Sudoku, and other games which are easy
enough for anyone to do. This will boost your brainpower and you will be
able to memorize more information at school.
Websites like Lumosity[9] and Memrise[10] are great resources! Memrise even lets you input your own information to learn!
6
Use your time wisely. If
you are given an hour to complete a 120 question test, that's 30
seconds per question. 30 seconds can be made into a lot of time. Many of
the questions will take far less than 30 seconds, so apply the balance
to a tougher question. Don't think too deeply on the time, and don't let
yourself get distracted by the ticking of the clock.
Time limits are sometimes arbitrary. If you really need an extra 5
minutes, ask. A diligent student that needs a bit more time is a
concession most teachers will be willing to make.
7
Don't be afraid to be great.
Don't worry if people think you are a perfectionist or an overachiever.
Be persistent with your work while everyone else is fooling around in
class. In a few years you will more than likely never see these people
again, but you will see the A's and B's on your transcript that could have been C's and D's if you hadn't practiced!
8
Get an expandable file and put in the labels.
Put your papers in the file so that you always have the correct things
at the correct times. If you have a desk put the file in your desk. If
you have a locker you can put the file in your bookbag for the day but
at lunch you can put it your locker for lunch and whatever period you
want to.
Tips
Be positive and don't give up. Always try your best and make sure that you do it to the best standard possible.
Organize your work area. Make sure everything is neat and you can
find it easily. As any college student will tell you, working in an
untidy environment will only lead to distraction. Make sure you have all
of the supplies you need for class.
You may have to cut down on entertainment in order to succeed. The
best students know how to say, "No, I can't hang out because I have to
study." Some friends might tease you, but your real friends will
understand. Remember though that you do need to relax every now and then
or you will get too stressed out and get worse grades. It is important
to balance out your studies and social life.
Look up extra information about anything you're studying. It will
help increase your understanding of the information, make it more
interesting, and make it easier to remember. Your teachers will be
impressed if you can add information that you didn't learn in class into
the essay or test.
Read every night and then ask yourself questions on what you just
read to recap. This will also show you how much you need to work on
reading comprehension.
Make a document that you can use to track your grades each term to see if you have improved.
Sometimes it helps if you reward yourself. If you've gotten good grades, take a day off of studying.
Ask your teacher if you can do an essay or extra sheet of problems
for extra credit. If he/she says yes, hand it in the next day. If he/she
hands it back before the test, you'll see your mistakes and be able to
fix them.
Having small goals helps. Your goals should try to improve slowly
and finally settle on that A. Aiming for an A right away leaves you
feeling unrewarded and makes your goal seem unreachable.
Warnings
If you do get punished for bad grades, then be sure you strive to
try better even if you did in the past years. There's always time for
improvement!
Forming bad study habits or disregard for learning will hold you back in the future. Although it seems far off, it's not.
Don't hang around with friends who are not serious in their
education. Always stay close to the smart guys, even if your friends
laugh at you. It is your grades and future; what you put in it is what
you get out of it.
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