How To Get Good Grades

inTen Easy

Steps

Step One

Attend Every Class.

"What you have to do & the way you have

to do it is incredibly simple.Whether you are willing to do

it, that's another matter."

-- Peter F. Drucker

SKIPPING= missing lectures, discussions, homework explanations & assignments.

You cannot replace being in class.

Don’t kid yourself.

Step Two

Be Organized.

“We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

-- Aristotle

• Obtain classmates’ phone numbers, email addresses . . .

• Keep your backpack/ bag & study area neat & organized.

• Get organized before you go to bed.

• Use three-ring notebooks for class notes.

• Use folders for each class. Keep assignments, tests, & a running “grade.”

• Keep a computer file for each class.

•Use an assignment

notebook. •Break assignments

into smaller parts.

Step Three

Manage Your Time Well.

"What may be done at any time will be done at no time."

-- Scottish Proverb

• Do not overextend yourself.

• Studying needs to be your #1 priority.

• Identify your time robbers.

• Make a “Do Not Disturb” sign & use it when studying.

Weekly Course Schedule

Weekly PlannerWeek Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

123456789

10Finals

Sample Weekly PlannerWeek Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

12 Chem 140A Quiz

3First Humanities paper due

4

Midterm for Humanities/ Chem 140A Quiz

Midterm for HILD 7B

5Midterm for Chem 140A

6Humanities Midterm Chem 140A Quiz

Paper for HILD 7B Due

Second Humanities Paper Due Party! Football game

78 Chem 140A Quiz

9Midterm for Chem 140A

Revelle Semi-Formal

10 Chem 140A QuizFinals HILD 7B Final Humanities Final Chem 140A Final

Mom & Dad visit

Jonie's Wedding

Step Four

Be Successful in Class.

• Learn how to adapt to different instructors.

• Communicate with your instructors.

• Be prepared for each class.

• Sit in the front of the class if possible.

• Be on time to each class.

• Participate in class.

Step Five

Take Good Notes.

"The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well."

-- John D. Rockefeller

BusinessMy NameToday’s date

Stock Market the system of buying & selling

Dow Jones Stat. showing state of NY St.

of shares of 30 maj. US Corp.

stocks & shares

Bear/Bull Bear market – stock prices

Bull market - stock

Exch. Measures change in prices

Crash prices of stocks bankruptcies, famous Wall St. crash

• Be an active listener.

• Recognize important information.

• Take notes that are easy to read.

• Use symbols & abbreviations such as:

= same or equal ↑ up or inc. w with≠ not equal ↓ down or dec. w/o without> greater than → resulting in w/in within< less than * most importantly b/c because~ approximately eg for example v verytherefore ie that is esp especially

• Go over your notes as soon as possible.

• Get lecture notes if you are absent.

Step Six

Know How to Read a Textbook.

• SCAN by reading subtitles, words in bold & italic print, summaries, charts & review questions.

• READ with a purpose.

• REVIEW by scanning the material to check your comprehension.

Step Seven

Study Smart.

Know your learning style.

• Visual Learners• Auditory Learners

• Kinesthetic Learner

• Technological Learners

• Find a good place to study.

• Get started.• Organize your study time.

• Study for tests,

• Memorize & remember information,

• Use technology,

• Write a paper.

Know how to:

Self-help• Virginia Tech – Cook

Counseling Center•Study Skills Self-help Information

www.ucc.vt.edu/studyhlp.html#

Step Eight

Be a Good Test Taker.

• Look for key words in True/False questions.

• Be prepared for open book tests.

• Check your answers.

• Go over all returned tests.

Step Nine

Reduce Test Anxiety.

• Start studying early.

• Mentally practice going through the testing experience.

• Act confident.• Use relaxation

techniques.

Step Ten

Get Help When You Need It.

Take the initiative. Ask for the help

you need.

How to Get Help• E-mail your teacher.• From AHS Home Page or directly.

•Request a Patriot Period pass.

Just for Parents