IMPROVING YOUR GRADES
Talk to Your Teachers
Before the bell rings ask your teacher what the best time is for you to speak with him/her. When you speak with your teacher, explain that you would like to improve your grade and ask for some suggestions about how you can do this. Write down what the teacher says and follow through.
Write Down Your Assignments
Each student was given a Student Handbook with calendar pages for writing down class assignments and upcoming tests. Every day write down homework and tests in your Student Handbook before you leave class. If you aren’t sure when an assignment is due ask the teacher.
Study Time
Set up a specific place and time to complete homework and study each day. (Example: 4:30pm-6:30pm). Do not allow anything to interfere with your study time. Make arrangements for all other activities to take place around this time. During your chosen study period do not watch TV or talk on the phone. Ask friends not to call during this time. If you do not have a specific homework assignment, use your time to study for any upcoming tests, review the day’s lessons and check for errors on assignments (especially in writing assignments). Make sure to organize your notebook and to put your homework in the same place every day.
Homework Help
If you are having difficulty in a certain subject:
• Ask your teachers when the best time is to meet with them for extra help
• Find another student who understands the subject and ask him/her to help you
Take Notes
Take notes during class while your teacher is giving you information. Take notes when the teacher writes information on the dry-erase board, overhead or during a power point presentation. Take notes while the teacher is giving a lecture. Take notes while reading a chapter in your book.
Progress Reports
You don’t have to wait until half way through the quarter to find out what your grades are in your classes. Your grades are your responsibility. It is okay for you to ask your teachers for a print out of your grades so you can check to see what assignments you are missing. You can also pick up a bright red STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT sheet in the Guidance Office and ask your teachers to complete it for you.
Study for Tests
• Plan ahead so that you have plenty of time to study for a test. Don’t try to study at the last minute or stay up late studying because you’ll be tired and won’t do well on the test the next day.
• Make sure that you have all the materials you need to study: book, class notes, returned assignments, study guides, etc.
• Make sure that you clearly understand what materials you will be tested on and how the test will be formatted (Example: multiple choices, fill in the blank, short answer, essay, etc.)
• Make a list of the topics you need to study.
• Make up questions that you think might be on the exam and study them.
• Find a study partner or form a study group to help you review. If you can’t do this, as a parent, sibling or friend to go through your book and notes to quiz you on the information you’re studying.
• Don’t just review the information once and assume that you know it. Go over it as many times as necessary to know it thoroughly.
• When your test is returned, check it over carefully to avoid making the same mistakes on future tests. If you have a teacher who will allow you to retake tests you do score poorly on, make sure you retake the test.
Test Taking Strategies
Multiple Choice Tests:
• Read the question and the answer choices first.
• Put a line through answers that you know are wrong.
• If you are unsure of an answer move on to the next question and come back to that question later.
• Make sure that you are bubbling in the correct answer for the question on your answer sheet.
• Don’t second guess yourself.
• Erase stray marks on your answer sheet.
Short Answer/Essays
• Read the question or writing prompt
• Make sure you understand what information is being asked for.
• Organize your ideas on a separate sheet of paper.
• Write neatly so the person grading your test can read what you wrote.
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