Making The Grade: Tips for Doing Well in Your Courses

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The pressure to succeed in high school can seem overwhelming to many students. This article discusses tips for doing well.
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Tips for Doing Well in Your Courses

High school is a time for growth, particularly intellectually. Students feel challenged by their coursework and teacher expectations. Many parents also putting stress on their children because they're concerned about their lives after high school. One must deal with this mounting academic pressure and organization and preparation can help considerably.

Doing Homework

The first step when dealing with homework is having a planner. A planner can help you keep track of your assignments, so you don't forget to do any. It can also help you make a schedule for longer projects, which can help you avoid staying up all night the night before the project is due.

The next step is setting up a homework network with your friends. You should have at least two people in each of your classes that you can contact for homework help. In order to stay in touch, consider exchanging phone numbers, email addresses or IM screen names. By having each other's contact information, you can contact one another if you become sick and miss a class. You could also schedule times when you and your friends can work together on difficult assignments. Collaborating can make homework seem less difficult.

Taking a Test

Preparation can help reduce a lot of test-taking anxiety and raise your confidence. Make time to study a few days in advance, so you have time to ask your teachers or friends any questions you may have. You should also give yourself time to review your notes at least twice. As you go through your notes, write down questions or ideas you have on a separate sheet of paper or a flashcard.

The next step is actually taking the test. Here is a list of suggestions that the professionals at College Board (www.collegeboard.com) strongly recommend:

- Read the Directions

- Answer Easy Questions to First

- Answer Every Question

- Ask Your Teacher to Clarify Instructions

- Identify Keywords

- Organize Your Thoughts

- Write Neatly

- Check Your Answers

If you continue to feel stressed, try speaking to your counselor or your parents. You may be dealing with test anxiety. Test anxiety can be dealt with by finding and practicing different strategies.

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Featured Schools

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
  • MS: Criminal Justice
  • AA: Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

The Chicago School

  • Dual Degree: MA Counseling Psychology and MS Applied Behavior Analysis
  • M.A. Counseling Psychology
  • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science - DNP Executive Leader
  • M.S. in Health Education
  • BS in Communication
  • AASBA in Business
  • Professional Focus + Google Project Management Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?