How to Be a Successful Student

  1. Be in school as much as possible. Just being in school will help you learn what is being taught.
  1. Pay attention in class. If you listen to what the teacher is saying, you might learn something.
  1. Take notes. Anything the teacher writes down is worth putting into your notebook.
  1. Do every homework assignment. Teachers do not give homework to be mean, they give it to reinforce the lessons they are teaching.
  1. Ask questions when you do not understand. If you do not understand and you do not ask a question, how will you learn? The key to learning is asking for help when you need it.
  1. Be respectful of teachers, students, and yourself. Listen to what others have to say. Help those that need it. Be good to your friends and they will be good to you.
  1. Keep your notebook and binder organized. It takes only a few seconds to put a paper into the right folder, but it takes several minutes to sort everything out, or to find the paper you need in a pile of mess. If you keep your binder organized, you will not stress out as much about not finding things. If your notebook is organized, you will have an easier time studying. Keep notes in a notes section. Keep homework in a homework section. Do vocabulary in a vocabulary section.

How to Take Notes

When taking notes it is a good idea to space out the information on your paper. Instead of writing everything in 1 long sentence, or all smooshed together, give yourself room. For example, in math class, try dividing your paper into four parts. Do one problem in each part, writing down some words to help you remember how to solve that problem. Do this for all 4 problems on that page. When the teacher begins teaching something different, move on to another page. Do not put notes for several different ideas or classes on the same page.

How to Study For a Test

  1. Begin studying at least 3 days before the test. If you wait until the day before the test you will confuse yourself. It takes several days to teach everything that is on the test. If you only spend one day to study, you have not spent enough time. Do a little bit each day, asking questions of the teacher if you do not understand.
  1. Look over your notes. It is important to take good notes and keep them organized so that you can study from them.
  1. You should hold onto the homework assignments. You can redo some problems and check to see if you got them right because you have all of the right answers on your paper (if you corrected your homework like we went over in class)
  1. Use the book. Look over the pages in the chapter, do the chapter or section review. (*hint* I give this page for homework over three days to help you study)
  1. Do extra problems. It never hurts to do more than you have to.
  1. Do the extra credit packet. Not only will you be better prepared, you also get free points on the test!

How to Take a Test

  1. Make sure you have studied. This way you are prepared.
  1. Get a good night’s sleep. When you are well rested you are more focused. If you are tired, you will not concentrate as well.
  1. Eat a good breakfast. Your body needs fuel. Eat.
  1. Come in relaxed. Take a deep breath. Be confident. If you think you will do poorly, you probably will. You have a better chance of doing well if you are confident.
  1. Dress for success. They say when you dress smart you act smarter. If nothing else, at least you’ll look nice!
  1. Read the directions! Re-read the directions! Many students get questions wrong because they do not answer the question being asked. Be careful and pay attention to details.
  1. If you are stuck, move on. Do not waste too much time on 1 question. When you finish, go back and finish the question you were stuck on.
  1. After you finish, wait at least 5 minutes before you check it over. If you check it right away it is still in your short-term memory. You remember what you think it said and what you think you wrote. Wait a few minutes and re-read every question carefully. Make sure you answered what was asked. Make sure you answered every question. Make sure you did the math correctly. Do the opposite operation to check your work.