1. Ways to Get Good Grades In High School and College

2. 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

3. 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:

4. 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

5. 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

6. Smile
Smiling makes everyone more comfortable…even the teacher

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

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

9. Eye Contact
Eye contact sends the message that you are listening

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

11. Be an Active Listener
Take Cornell Notes

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

18. 1 Minute a Day
Study each page of Cornell notes for 1 minute each day until you have a test.

19. 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

20. 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
Mr. Clarke,
I was absent today from AVID today. Could you please me any assignments I missed.
Thanks,
John Q. Student

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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