How to Do Better in School

Concentration and Perseverance

I know this sounds obvious, but you really have to put all your effort into this and not give up. You can definitely do this and the only thing stopping you is the thought that you can't. So have your goal in mind and work hard because it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Assignments, Essays and All that Jazz

First of all, always do them. No exceptions. Of course they're tiring and annoying, but they really boost your grade and can help you recover from a bad test. Second, do not procrastinate if you can help it. The final outcome will be a lot worse and you'll be way more tired than if you properly distribute your time. Starting from the day it gets assigned, do it little by little, following a schedule that will allow you to have enough time to finish it and reread it to make corrections. Third, if you have problems with actually writing them out, here are a few links that might help:

-finding credible sources online

-bibliography format (this one is specifically APA style, but all of them are on the website)

-thesaurus

-general advice on academic writing (University of Toronto)

Paying Attention

Paying attention is usually very important. It will make studying a lot easier because it'll all look familiar. For some people, this is completely useless, but people that actually go to class are the ones with the best grades. And that's the whole reason we have professors, right?

Studying for Tests

If you can start looking over the material a few days before, it will remain longer in your head, which will make you do better on the test. Always try to understand what you are studying. Memorizing something you don't understand may seem effective, but when you get to the test, you may lose your train of thought and not remember the answer. If it's history, you can remember it like a story. If it's a math formula, make a little song to remember it. If it's a list of something, get the first letter of each word or phrase and make a funny phrase to remember (think Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally type). Take a break every half hour or hour (whatever you prefer or depending how much you have to study) and do something to get your mind off of studying. Don't do do something very time consuming. You could paint your nails, take a walk around your house, have a glass of water, take a bathroom break, listen to a song, lay down a little, do some sit ups... The list is endless! Do whatever you prefer, making sure it isn't longer than five minutes. Doing this, you won't get so frustrated when studying.

Be Confident

Many people think that if you get nervous, you might forget things. But if you studied well, there's no need to be nervous! Believe in yourself and your abilites and don't be nervous. Even if, in the worst case scenario, you fail, the world won't end. You can always do better on the next one, try to make it up with assignments or ask for extra credit. So try not to make a mountain of a mole hill. Of course tests are always important, but try not to get overly anxious over a simple exam.

Other Things You Should Know

Always get a good night's sleep. It helps absorb what you studied and restore your energy. Avoid all-nighters. They only make you extra tired and you'll be less likely to learn anything new. Also, have a good breakfast because it will help you concentrate.

Good luck!