Ways to Get Good Grades In High School and College

Successful People “Successful people have learned to make themselves do the thing that has to be done when it has to be done, whether they like it or not.” - Aldous Huxley

The first seven tips require no additional studying on your part The first seven tips require no additional studying on your part. By following these simple steps, your teachers will perceive you as a “good student” which will result in higher grades. Teachers have known for years that these tips work, but have been sworn not to share them with their students because they have nothing to do with studying. These tips have been leaked to the general public by students who have had to figure them out on their own. Warning:

Sit Up Front Sitting up front sends the message that you care about your education You are less distracted You get more help from teacher

Watch Your Body Language Leaning back in seat, crossed arms, and legs pointed in the wrong direction send the message that you don’t care Lean forward Sit up Legs point to teacher

Smile Smiling makes everyone more comfortable…even the teacher

Participate Ask questions Participating keeps your mind focused Volunteer before you are called on

Nod Your Head/Appear You are Thinking Makes you appear interested and engaged in the lesson Teachers perceives you as a “good student”

Eye Contact Eye contact sends the message that you are listening

Talk to Your Teacher Teachers are human too. Simple conversation establishes a connection with the teacher Visit college professors during office hours

Be an Active Listener Take Cornell Notes

A B A B Appearance Counts Which package would you choose? Neatly written essays, on average, receive 1 letter grade higher than sloppy essays A B A B

Be Organized Notebook Backpack Room Desk – file your old notes and graded papers

Attendance = Higher Grades Zero Absences When you’re absent you miss content and possible assignments, quizzes/tests, or other information not found on the syllabus Simply put, if you attend class regularly, you do better in class Attendance = Higher Grades

Persistence Counts Think about the story of the hare and the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t give up

Use a Planner and To-do Lists Planners and to-do lists keep your time organized

Study for Shorter Periods of Time Studying for shorter periods of time with breaks in between increases the amount of content you will retain Study Time: 60 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes Study Time: 20 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes Break 5 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes Study Time: 20 Minutes Retain 5-10 Minutes

1 Minute a Day Study each page of Cornell notes for 1 minute each day until you have a test.

Check Your Grades Teachers are human. Sometimes errors occur. Save graded assignments incase assignments didn’t make it into the grade book Know the grading scale – some assignments are more important than others

Absence ≠ Day Off Get the phone # and email address of classmates You are responsible for assignments you missed Ask teacher or other students for notes and assignments dclarke@nuview.k12.ca.us Mr. Clarke, I was absent today from AVID today. Could you please e-mail me any assignments I missed. Thanks, John Q. Student

Get Help When You Need It Tutoring Tutorials Teacher Help Study Group Counselors

Know How to Take Tests Skip questions you don’t know and come back to them Eliminate incorrect answers for multiple choice Go with your gut feeling

Go Above and Beyond If you are asked to write a paper, type it. If you are asked to write a 1-3 page paper, make sure it is at least 3 pages If the reading is “optional”, do it

Do Your Homework Homework helps you understand what was taught in class. Whether it is graded or not, doing homework will help you on tests

Observe Class Rules Negative behavior labels you as a “bad student” even if you are intelligent If, for example, hats, gum, cell phones, MP3 players bother your teacher, don’t have them in class

On Your Own Use some of the ideas you learned in this lecture, online research, and interview others to write and illustrate a booklet with 21 of the best ways to get good grades