How to be a Successful Student

How to Be A Successful Student

There are many, many great ideas here on how to find success as a learner - some are targeted to high school students, but many apply to middle school students as well. Use whichever strategies you think are best for helping you be the best you can be!

Table of Contents... more details follow below!...

1) BE ORGANIZED

2) MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL

3) BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM

4) TAKE GOOD NOTES

5) KNOW HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK

6) STUDY SMART

7) SET GOALS

8) GET INVOLVED

9) MAKE GOOD CHOICES AND DECISIONS

10) KNOW HOW TO HANDLE STRESS

11) USE AVAILABLE SERVICES

12) PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

1) BE ORGANIZED

*Use your agenda

*Use separate colored folders & notebooks for each class

*Have a classmate's phone number and email address

*Keep your backpack and locker neat

*Organize your school material before bed

2) MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL

*Create your own study plan

*Break large assignments down into smaller parts

*Take short breaks during studying

*Finish your homework early

3) BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM

*Learn to adapt to different teachers

*Be aware of each teachers' rules, procedures, & grading

*Be in class, on time, every day

*Do all your homework/projects/labs, on time

*Participate in class; don't be afraid to ask questions

*Never leave class with an unanswered question(s)

*Be courteous and respectful

*Involve your parents

4) TAKE GOOD NOTES

*Be an active listener

*Take notes to help you pay attention

*Recognize important information

*Write notes which are easy to read and understand

*Review your notes the same day

*Get copies of class notes if you're absent

5) KNOW HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK

*SCAN the assignments by reading subtitles, words in

bold and italics, summaries, charts, and review questions

*READ the assignments

*REVIEW what you've read

6) STUDY SMART

*Find a good place to study; typically quiet

*Organize your study time

*Allow more time for homework than you think you need!! (you often need more)

*Use the computer to write papers and do research

*Use tricks to help memorize information

*Always use your teacher as a resource

7) SET GOALS

*What do you want to accomplish?

*Goals give focus, direction, and purpose

*Helps determine a plan of action

*Goals should be specific, measurable, and attainable

*Write down your goals

8) GET INVOLVED

*Find out what extra-curricular activities are available

*Provides the following opportunites to:

*Spend time with friends and meet new people

*Enjoy school more

*Provides a valuable service

*Try something new

*Become a leader

*Relieve stress

*Develop a skill and/or talent

*Have fun

*Put on applications for college

9) MAKE GOOD CHOICES AND DECISIONS

*Figure out what your options are

*Write down the positive and negative aspects of opitions

*Make sure that you have all the information needed

*Think about your choices and make a decision

10) KNOW HOW TO HANDLE STRESS

*Get enough sleep, eat right, and get plenty of exercise

*Use past methods which have helped relax you

*Talk with someone---parent, friend, teacher, counselor

*Use some relaxation techniques:

*Take a deep breath, then slowly release it.

*Do this until your body is relaxed

*Think of a place where you feel relaxed & calm (your happy place)

*Close your eyes & visualize being in that place

11) USE AVAILABLE SERVICES

*Parents can help the most with a problem or concern

*Parents can help figure out how to handle any situation

*If you have a subject, teacher, or student problem,

tell your parent(s) immediately

*Ask a teacher, principal, counselor, or secretary for help

12) PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

*Choose your high school courses carefully

*Choose a career that's right for you

*Think about your abilities, interests, and natural talents

*Prepare for your career

*Career and Technology Programs

*4 year Colleges

*Community Colleges

*Trade Schools

*The Military

Adapted from: O'Brien, L. (2003). How to get the most out of high school. (4th ed.). Dayton, OH: Woodburn Press.

TOP 10 TIPS FROM COLLEGE KIDS FOR HANDLING HIGH SCHOOL

10 Get Going --Stay on top of your studies; don't get behind
9 Enjoy Yourself --Get involved in activities
8 Read n' Write --Do it in your spare time because you will do a lot of it in college
7 Learn To Study --Develop some good techniques; learn to review on your own
6 Choose Well --Pick the right courses
5 Pick Your Peers --People you most often associate with really do influence your grades
4 Do The Work --Even if you're unsure whether you want to go to college; don't limit yourself
3 Ask More Of Yourself--Challenge yourself; take honor classes if you can
2 Find A Balance --Have an equal balance between academics and socializing
1 Study The Right Stuff--Find out what is needed to get into a 4-year college

The above information has been provided by:

College Scoop. (2004). Top 10 tips for handling high school. NY, Ny: The College Board.