How can I become a stronger student?

Question

I usually get good grades, but I am aiming for a 4.0. So how can I improve my study habits and schoolwork?

Answer 1

The most important thing is that you need to convince yourself that you need to know the stuff. People tend to shut their brains off if they think something is unimportant and then it's very hard to force yourself to learn boring subjects. I don't know how to change your brain though, I never could...

Answer 2

It depends on the type of person you are. I have a co-worker that has to have the room practically silent in order to not get distracted while I don't mind a little noise in the background.

I always study in place that's relatively comfortable but not so comfy that I end up falling asleep.

Also, I'd make sure that any notes that I took in class were clear and concise so when I go back to them, I'd get the point. In college I'd even write notes right in my textbook because I'd never get the money I paid for it back and it'd even help the person that I sold it too.

I'm a bit of a procrastinator and usually do my best towards a deadline while others have to do everything early on.

Try to get the best scores on your homework, tests, and quizzes. Do ALL the extra credit assignments because they'll make or keep your grade higher.

If you get stuck on something, ask someone that's smarter than you that you respect (i.e. a teacher, friend, classmate). Form a study group if possible.

Use flashcards and do good research. Sometimes textbook publishers have programs and notes on their websites. Check those out.

There was a program that used to come on PBS called "Standard Deviants" that had a mulitude of info on a variety of subjects. Check them out: http://www.standarddeviants.com/

Basically try a bunch of different things and see what works best for you. Hope this helps you towards the 4.0! ☺

Answer 3

Well what you can do is get a study habit where you do all your homework and study before you do anything else when you get home from school. This is what i do and I am a great student. It helps many people. Aiming for a 4.0 is hard but if you get on the right track then you can stay on it.

Answer 4

Aaaaaahhhh....such a refreshing question after reading the last one from a teenager who was 15 and wanted to move out and live alone with his 14 yr old girlfriend.

I really commend you for caring about your grades which will lead you to a better future. My suggestions are:

Make sure you study daily
Rewrite notes so they are more legible. Sometimes we get in a hurry when we take notes and its best to transcribe them later that day and write them neater. You are also repeating the information again in your mind as you write, which will also help to retain more information in your brain.
Get a good nights rest each night.
Eat a good breakfast in the morning.
Make sure you do some sort of exercise activity because that will help you fight off stress and be more calm, which in turn helps you learn better and helps with focusing.
Keep your eyes on the prize
If you have time, do some extra research on your own
Flashcards helped me. I made flashcards for everything...all the bones of the body, all the muscles....even certain disorders....anytime I had difficulty remembering things easy I bought some index cards and made flashcards out of them.

Best of luck to you. It's so refreshing that some of today's youth is not like the trailer trash you see on Springer.

Answer 5

Make a list of things that need to be done. Start with the most important tasks. If you aren't able to complete the list you've made for the day don't get upset. Whatever is not completed today place those tasks on tomorrow's list.

Studying in imperative/important. When you get tired take a rest and come back to study later. Take short breaks.

One thing I learned to do was associate words or made up words to remind me of multiple answers to a single question.

For example. What are the parts of a boat.
Hull, motor, oars, seats, life jackets.

Made up word association:
H [hull]
O[oars]
L[life jackets]
M[motor]
S[seats]

I know this sounds silly but like in geology when asked to name about 10 minerals I had to make up a word to remind myself of the answer.

Answer 6

How much homework do you do? Do you read the chapter before or after your class.
You should read the chapter first take notes. Then do half of the questions in like all odd and all even questions. when in class ask lots of questions. Also plenty of books also have online resources that you can use.

Remember for 2-1 ratio for every one hour in class your should study 2 hours at home. and space your studying out through out the week reviewing everything you have learn't prior.

Answer 7

I have a 3.77 average in college. I'm an engineering major and have understandably struggled with intense classes like Calculus 3, University Physics, and such.

Ask for help when you need it, don't just guess. Your instructor or a tutor can help show you the correct way to accomplish problems.

I also suggest reading your textbook. It often illustrates complex examples and applications that you often don't discuss in class.

Write "notes within your notes". I find alot of my classmates have trouble reading or following thier notes when they come back to them. Write to the side what or why you need to know something, or the steps required to get there.

This is one of the most important: find a way it relates to life and let you mind wander about it. Realizing that education has application in the real-world is important, and often helps me overcome whining or low esteem. Realize that what you are learning has some legitimate place in the world, and that may encourage you to like it more.

Answer 8

A school counselor told my daughter that in addition to daily homework scheduled, that a student should go over any chapters, notes, quizzes, etc. that was done in school that day. Then, when test time comes, you will have retained the information, will have less study time and better long term learning (rather than short term memorization). Good luck.

Answer 9

Study in a quite place, (no distractions) about the same time every day. Take pride in all you do, and treat everyone with a high degree of respect. You sound like a very level headed student anyway.

Answer 10

Read over your school work 3 or more times a day, everyday. Doing this, the information comes through gradually and not confusing at test time.