Getting good grades will not only make your momma proud. It will make you proud of yourself as well, especially if you achieve them by honest means. So, when you apply for a job someday, you will be more confident of your capabilities to handle whatever position entrusted to you. It pays being a good student, you know.
If you’re not satisfied with your grades last term, don’t be upset. You still have another chance this term. All you need to do is be determined to do it better this time, and follow the inspirational tips below.
Tips to Get Better Grades at School
* Always aim for higher goals
Having a competitive spirit can help you step up higher. However, I’m not saying that you compete with your classmates—that would have a negative impact on your character and social life. Instead, make it a habit to compete with your past achievements. If you got 95% correct answers in your test last week, then strive for a 96-100% result next time.
* Aim for a 100% attendanceHaving no absences means you will not miss any lesson or activity. So, except for valid and important reasons, make it a point to attend all your classes on time and regularly. Also, this will please your teachers and they will see you are a responsible student. You won’t have a hard time approaching them when necessary.
* Actively participate in recitations and class activitiesShake all your shyness off and make your voice be heard in the classroom. Listen attentively to class discussions, and when questions are thrown, be ready to raise your hand and answer them. It’s okay if there are times when your answers are incorrect. At least, you show everybody that you are trying. Your teachers would remember you among their numerous students, and it would be hard for them to give you an unsatisfactory grade.
* Take down notesNo matter how good your memory is, you’re more likely to forget some details of your lessons, especially after several days and you have encountered many other lessons. You will have a hard time retrieving information for the exams especially if you don’t review beforehand. Therefore, always bring a notebook to the class and jot down important details. You can always go back to your notes for review and references.
* Listen to discussions attentively
Taking down notes is important, but see to it you don’t neglect listening to the discussion. No matter how long your notes are, they will be less effective if you don’t hear them being tackled. Attentive listening can help you understand and remember the lessons better. That is why you should avoid daydreaming during classroom hours.
* Set at least an hour to review lessons dailySo that you will not cram studying for exams, make it a habit every night to review all the lessons from each day. At least one hour is enough daily. It doesn’t have to be thorough—as long as you are able to scan, read, and comprehend your notes. This will result to better retention of the lessons in your memory. When the examination week comes, it will be easier for you to go over them.
* Do assignments and projects ahead of timeTo avoid cramming during deadlines, start doing projects and assignments as soon as possible. If you’re given a week to finish a schoolwork, then don’t do it on the fifth or sixth day. Every day, allot time to add something to your output. Also, this will allow you to give your best to the activity. You will get a better grade for it.
* Do research about lessons in advanceIf your teachers give you the syllabi for your courses at the beginning of classes, then don’t just keep them. Go to the library, browse the internet, and check other resources in advance. This way, you can be ahead of your class in lesson mastery. Quizzes, assignments, projects, and participating in discussions will become easier. You can avoid cramming as well.
* Know the teaching style and preferences of your teachersDifferent teachers have different personalities and styles. That is why it is hard to please all of them if you don’t know how to adjust. If you have new teachers, inquire about them from students who have been in their class before. Find out what student behaviors they like and dislike. You can have a better chance at getting good grades from them.
* Ask questions for clarificationIn case there are parts of the lesson that you can’t understand, don’t be ashamed to ask questions. Clarify ideas and information that are not clear to make sure you comprehend everything correctly. Intelligent people ask, because they cannot afford to be misinformed or miss important details.
* Join group studiesIt is said that two heads are better than one. You can apply this to your studies as well. Instead of studying or reviewing lessons alone all the time, join or create a study group. You and your classmates can help each other understand all parts of the lessons better. This is also best when learning and practicing equations in Algebra, Trigonometry, Chemistry, Physics, and the like.
* Don’t cheatMany students cheat because they are only after getting high grades. However, good marks without actual learning is useless. The reason why you go to school is because you want to learn, so that you can be ready for employment. Grade is just one measurement of learning. With cheating, you miss the opportunity to assess your actual level of learning, and you could end up having a hard time sustaining jobs in the future because you didn’t really learn enough at school.