How To Get Back On Track And Improve Grades

Obviously having good grades is important during every school year. Whether you’re in 6th or 12th grade, getting that “A” makes you feel accomplished and motivated. Problem is, students can get busy, stressed, and distracted from school and studying. Every once in awhile, we need a reminder to get back on track and improve those grades! So buckle down and get to studying! Here are some great tips to improve your grades:

Tips to Improve Grades In the Classroom:

Pay Attention!

First and foremost, pay attention to your teachers during class time. If you can tune in and comprehend what they’re saying, you’ll already have a head start. Not all teachers are strong lecturers, so here are some tips to try when you feel yourself dozing off:

Set up your desk for success. Clear your desk off except for a notebook and a pen/pencil.
Sit up straight. Sitting up will help you pay attention and prevent you from getting sleepy (good posture will also help reduce back/neck issues when you’re older too!).
Put your phone away. Most schools have a no-phone policy, but don’t get tempted by social media. It can wait until after class!

Take Notes

Taking notes forces you to pay attention, write, and read later. You can make this fun by buying funky notebooks or colored pens. Also, try drawing diagrams and pictures to represent the information in a different way. This will help your brain retain the information better when you go to review.

Tips to Improve Grades at Home:

Get Some Sleep

Sleep allows you to focus in class and study after school. If you’re always tired, your grades will undoubtedly fall. Teens are recommended to get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, so get to bed early!

Use All Available Resources

There are hundreds of available to resources to help you study, so there’s no excuse to not complete your homework. If you’re stuck on a concept, check out YouTube or Khan’s Academy for a review. You can also check online encyclopedias and other web resources. Chances are, someone else has already had the same question you currently have, and there’s an answer online.

Set a Schedule

If you know you have a tennis match this coming Thursday and an English project due Friday, plan ahead. Planning your extracurricular activities around school will ensure success in both.

Don’t Skimp on Homework

It’s easy to get lazy with homework towards the end of the semester or after a long day, but don’t skimp! Just remember the more effort you put into homework now, the less you’ll most likely have to study for the test. It also acts as a red flag for concepts you’re having trouble with. It’s better to get help while you can, rather than wait until the day before a project is due.

Get Comfortable with your Teacher/Professor

The more comfortable you are talking to your teacher, the more flexible they’ll be with you. If you’re a busy student athlete, let them know. If math comes harder for you than others, let them know. As long as you work hard, and communicate, they’ll be more understanding when something comes up.

If you can get in the habit of following these tips, you should see your grades improve. The most important thing to remember is that dedication trumps all, and if you put in the time, you’ll get the grades you deserve.

Kelsey Anderson blogs about high school and college education, including the college and career selection process. Her work is featured on Grown Up Me, a college and career finder tool.