Transcript How To Get Good Grades - Dougherty County School System

How To Get Good Grades
In Ten Easy Steps
Provided by
Sowega Tech Prep &
School-to-Work Consortia
Why should I
improve my grades?
•Students with failing grades must
improve to stay on track for graduation.
•Students with good grades
must improve to be
competitive for awards
and scholarships.
Step #1: Believe in Yourself
Set realistic
goals for
yourself and
believe that you
can achieve
them.
Step #2: Be Organized
If you’re
organized, you
have what you
need, when you
need it.
Helpful Hints
to Get You Organized
 Make
daily use of your
agenda/planner
1. Record your daily assignments
2. Keep track of
upcoming tests,
due dates for projects
Helpful Hints
to Get You Organized (cont.)
 Use
a separate notebook
for each course:
3-ring binders work best
1. Easy removal of work that needs
to be turned in to your teacher
2. Easy to insert returned papers,
handouts and missed class notes
Helpful Hints
to Get You Organized (cont.)
 Find
out assignments if you are
absent.
Keep your locker and
book bag neat.
Get everything for school
organized before you go
to bed.
Step #3: Manage
Your Time Well
Good time
management
allows you to do
the things you
must with time
left over to do the
things you want.
Strategies
for Managing Your Time
Use your time wisely: take advantage of
time given in class to work
on assignments or study.
Design a daily study plan.
Identify those things which could
interrupt your study time: have a plan to
eliminate or avoid them.
Step #4: Be Successful
in the Classroom
Demonstrate
traits of
successful
students.
Characteristics of
Successful Students
Successful students:
Are in school, on time, everyday.
Learn how to adapt to different
teachers.
Are prepared for each class and
always have their homework done.
Characteristics of
Successful Students (cont.)
Successful students:
Sit in front of the class if
possible.
Are aware of their body
language and nonverbal
behavior.
Participate in class.
Characteristics of
Successful Students (cont.)
Successful students:
Work well in
cooperative groups.
Treat others with
courtesy and respect.
Involve their parents in their
academic pursuits.
Step #5: Take Good Notes
In order to study
and prepare for
tests, you must
have your own
record of the
material that was
covered in class.
Tips for Taking Good Notes
Be an active listener.
Taking notes will help
you pay attention in
class.
Recognize important
information.
Tips for Taking Good Notes
Take notes that are easy for you
to read.
Get notes from
a classmate if
you are absent.
Review your notes as soon as
possible and often.
Step #6: Know How
Read A Textbook
To
Comprehension
and retention of
the material read
are the keys to
academic success.
How To Read A Textbook
SCAN the required reading.
Read the title, subtitles and
everything in bold and italic print.
Look at the pictures, graphs, and
charts.
Go over the review questions and
read the summaries.
How To Read A Textbook (cont.)
READ with a purpose:
You’ve just SCANNED through any
review questions, as you are reading,
look for phrase similar to what you
saw in the review questions.
Create your own questions from
subtitles and answer them following
your reading.
How To Read A Textbook (cont.)
REVIEW what you’ve just read:
For each subtitle state
the purpose or point
of each section.
Look for all words in bold
or italic print. Define them
or state their significance.
Step #7: Study Smart
A good study
plan can mean
less time
studying while
getting better
grades.
Students Who Study Smart:
Get started.
Find a good place
to study.
Know their
learning styles.
Organize their study time.
Students Who Study Smart (cont.):
Know how to study for tests.
Use tricks to memorize information.
Know how to write a paper.
Use tricks when making
a presentation or speech.
Step #8: Use Test-Taking
Strategies
Test-taking strategies
will not take the place of
studying, but they can
further improve your
test performance.
Tips for Taking Tests
Have everything you
need for the test.
Have a plan for
“attacking” the test.
Familiarize yourself with
strategies for specific
types of tests.
Tips for Taking Tests (cont.)
Check your answers.
Go over all
returned tests.
Step #9: Reduce
Test Anxiety
A small amount
of stress before a
test can improve
concentration,
but excessive
worry will lower
your test scores.
Step #10: Get Help
When You Need It
Take advantage of
opportunities to receive
assistance.
These ten steps may
not be an “overnight fix”,
but they can, if you use
them consistently,
improve where you are
now academically.