11 Ways To Become A Better Student

Are you having difficulty with some of your classes? Perhaps you are doing well but would like to do better? By improving in school you will boost your self-confidence, impress your teachers and parents, and have a better chance at being admitted to the school of your choice. Here are 11 ways one can become a better student.

1. Sit in front of the class. There is no reason to sit at the back. Arrive early, sit in a seat in the front row (or within the first three rows). This will show that you are interested in doing well.

2. Find a quiet space to do school work. Do your work in the library (or a quiet room at home) to limit distractions. If you are in the school library or public library, select a table that is not located near high foot traffic areas.

3. Treat it like a job. Work hard from the time your first class starts until the last class of the day ends.

4. NEVER skip class. Nothing takes the place of being in class and absorbing all that is being taught. If you copy a friend's/classmate's notes, you will only get the information they absorbed (which may not be that much). Be responsible for your education...go to class.

5. Go to office hours (high school). If you have questions or comments about a class, take advantage of your teacher's office hours. It can only help you. Upper elementary students be sure to visit your teacher before school starts, during the lunch hour (if they are on campus), or briefly after school.

6. Ask questions and participate during class. Don't settle for being a passive learner. Actively participating makes one's learning experience much more interesting and rewarding.

7. Exercise, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. These are all important factors in your success as a student.

8. Take notes in class, and keep them organized. Rewriting those notes each night will utilize the kinesthetic modality of learning to help you understand the material.

9. Do your homework and review your notes each night. This will eliminate the need to cram for tests.

10. Utilize flashcards as a tool for studying. Try quizlet.com. It is a great resource for creating digital flashcards. If you prefer, use the old school method of creating flashcards on 3 by 5 index cards!

11. Start any long term projects soon after they are assigned. Make a schedule regarding when you will have certain components of the project completed. This will allow for ample time to check your project to ensure all requirements are completed before the project is due.