My high school grades are suffering. What's wrong with me?

Question

Ever since I started 3rd grade, my grades haven't been where they should be. I get lots of C's, some D's, and ocassionally an F. I want A's and B's, more so since my parents pay lots of money for me to go to private school. But I'm not doing well.
I don't do my homework, and have no logical reason why, I just choose not to. I don't study for tests, or go to my teachers for help if I need it. In the beginning of the school year I do we'll, writing everything down, doing homework, etc. But it last only a few weeks.
I need help, but what can help? I can't get extra credit, my one teacher is REALLY hard, and even if I acxed everything (whch is next to impossible) i won't get a great grade. I really want my parents to be happy, and me to get the grades, but how. I'm desparate for help! PLEASE!!!!

Answer 1

You're great going out of the gate, and then lose your interest and focus as time goes on. One of the problems is that if you don't do homework and study for a while, then things pile up. The more they pile up, the more hopeless things look. The more hopeless things look, the less you want to do. The trick now, is to get back into it, and do the best you can for the rest of the semester. After this one, try to wipe the mental slate clean and pretend that it's the beginning of the year. Take notes, do homework and get organized. Even if you don't make the best grades, seeing them go up and feeling better about yourself is a good reward, and will definitely motivate you to do better next year. I was in your position when I was in high school, and even college. I finally got organized and motivated. I went on to get my doctorate, and became a fellow in Forensic Medicine. You can do it, just take one step at a time, and remember: it's never too late to start fresh!

Best of luck

Answer 2

I think you kinda answered your own question. Start doing your homework. Even if you're unsure how to do it, make an attempt so at least you'll get credit for it. The next day ask your teachers questions about the questions you did not understand on the homework. For tests, review the homework assignments. Do you have any friends in the class? Ask them to help tutor you. Tell your parents you need help with school. Maybe they can pay to get your a private tutor. Now a days, there's even online tutors that you can use. I really suggest tutor.com. It's a bit costly but very convienent.

If your parents refuse to the tutor suggestion, is there a tutoring club at your school or something? If your in high school, there probably is. Look for one. If your teachers are nice and willingly, ask them if they can stay after with you to help you. I'm sure most good teachers would be more than happy too.

Another suggestion, do your homework early. Start as soon as you get home from school. If you start it late like 12 AM, you'll forget everything by then and will be too sleepy. Also, go to sleep early...get at least 9 hours of sleep each night, it will help you remember what you learned and help you to pay attention in class.

I know paying attention in class is extremely hard, I struggle with that too..but TRY, TRY TRY to. If you find your mind drifiting, tell yourself that you need to get back on track. If you can help it, don't sit next to your friends in class....they'll only distract you. Unless they are helping/tutoring you, that's the only time I recommend it. Also, if it helps...ask your teacher to sit in the front row of the room. Annoying it might be, but the front row like forces you to pay attention...and there's less distractions.

TAKE LOTS OF NOTES IN CLASS!! Use a highlighter...Review your notes every night. Take long, detailed notes of all the important things your teacher says.

I hope this helped a little bit. And goodluck!! Remember keep a positive attitude. You can get A's and B's, if you try hard. You seem like a hardworker and intelligent, you can do it. Don't let yourself get discouraged...remember everyone needs help sometimes.. !

Answer 3

This isn't just a question of grades. You're obviously not into being in school, and pleasing your parents isn't enough to make the grades happen.

What do you want to do with your life? What excites you, gets your attention, distracts you from homework? If regular high school isn't working for you, maybe you should look into alternative courses at a community college, where you could get into a work-study program.

Have you got a counselor at school that you can talk to? I know that doesn't work for everyone, but it's a place to start.

To answer the big question: there's nothing wrong with you. People who don't fit into the standard mold have a tougher time making things work, but it doesn't mean they're damaged or inferior. Some of us just have to find our own way, regardless of what works for the masses.

Don't give up -- there's an answer out there for you, and you'll find it. Keep the faith.

Answer 4

It's basically down to this- you are doing poorly because you are CHOOSING to do poorly. Yoy got yourself into this habit in grade three. You don't listen, you don't get help when it's offered, you don't do the work- why are you surprised that you get poor grades.
The poor grades isn't the sad thing. The sad thing is that you aren't learning. And frankly, the stuff they are teaching is the basis of a real lot of things we all need to do in life.
Here's the deal. Only you can fix this. It doesn't matter how or why you got into this habit- but only you can break it. So- buy a small notepad and write down your homework at the end of each class. Then take your books and go to the library. The do all the homework before you go home. No hanging out, no tv, no nothing. Homework.
It takes a few months for things to turn around
How do I know this? I wanted to go to grad school, but had to take courses to get in. I worked all day then went to night school. I had to get up at 5 am to do my lab homeowrk and chemistry lab preps, then leave at 7:30 to go to work, leave work at 4 and be at school at five until 10 pm. On my night and weekend off, I did homework and did all the reading for the week. I still kept track of four kids and a handicapped parent. Because no one was going to do it for me or help me, I had to buckle down and help myself.
You said yourself you have no logical reason why. I think you have reasons why not. You are choosing to slack, and wishing is not going to change things. Only hard work and perseverance will help you.
You need to ask yourself if you have what it takes. "Cos if you don't you are wasting everybody's time, not just yours.
Good luck. But you don't need luck. You need a backbone.

Answer 5

Well, you really have to focus. There isn't anything wrong with you, besides the fact that you're a lazy bum. :)

I mean, if you have to, write down all of your homework, and then ask your parents to check if you did it. It will be annoying, especially since you're in high school, but if you're serious about getting better grades, ask your parents to check in every day, and then show them each completed assignment, so you don't just lie and say that you did it.

Answer 6

Hi,my name is doctor Parker you say you need help well honestly you can help yourself.Studying should be your number one priority if your not doing well.Im pretty sure your school offers after shcool tutors,if you dont get what the teacher is saying just keep telling the teacher that you dont understand,then she has to help you make sure you come to school prepared because if the teacher sees that your trying then they may help you by boosting up your grade,trust me it happens to those who try to do the work.try to fix yourself a schedule take 2 and a half hours of your day studying instead of doing those that are not important.It will help,im pretty sure you dont want to live worse then you grew up just study and get information because when your trying to take the S.A.T. your going to wish you had.So just do that.If you have any questions my email is [e-mail] you can leave a message any day any time I check my messages at 3pm 5pm and 9pm.

Answer 7

How about giving yourself an incentive to do work? You could say that you have to finish your homework before you can eat dinner or something. If you can't control yourself, try telling your parents to make rules or something, like they'll give you an extra hour of gametime or something cool if you get a B on your test.
Good luck!

Answer 8

Resolve to do all those things you have not been doing. you are probably pretty smart, but admit it you are lazy/procrastinator. It's not a crime, but you gotta work through it. It's the ONLY WAY to get the grades you want.Good luck!

Answer 9

stop getting high and hanging w/ your friends playing video games. I'm guessing your parents are not that involved either other than putting u in private school? Get them more involved and put your head in the books, now before it's too late, and your a stoner for the rest of your life.

Answer 10

you are just lazy. no one can help you with that. you obviously don't care about actually learning something so why should you care about grades? when you actually learn something then the grades will come with it. but even though i say that you are not going to do it.