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.
