Not happy with your first quarter report card? Is it pulling your GPA down? You’re not the only one. Sophomore Carson Goettlicher isnt quite fond of hers either.
“I got a C+ in Latin” Goettlicher said. “Latin is so easy for me, having this grade made me think that maybe Latin was hard, or maybe I was just slacking.”
“I think this poor grade brought my GPA down, but not drastically because I know I can get a 3.5 GPA or higher,” Goettlicher said. “To improve this my thought was to be more persistent on my work and actually put effort into what I’m doing by being more persistent. I wish to find Latin to be as easy as I thought and for my grades to reflect my effort.”
Students are just beginning the second quarter. For some students second quarter is a way to help you get back on track. Here are some ways to help you redeem yourself from your bad habits from first quarter.
Staying concentrated is hard in a classroom full of distraction. If you find your mind starting to wander in class, look at the clock. Tell yourself to focus on your teacher for the next 10 minutes. If you’re truly focusing, you won’t notice the 10 minutes have past. Continue doing this every 10 minutes until it is not needed.
For your brain to perform at its best and to stay focused you need to eat well, sleep a lot and exercise.
Studies show that your brain cannot focus when there are heaps of stuff on your desk. Clear off your desk and only have the things that are needed.
If you are worrying about a million things while trying to do your work you will not be able to focus.
Try writing down your non-study thoughts so you can clear your brain and get back to them later. When a teacher talks for a whole class it can get boring but realize that only you can make yourself bored. The teacher cannot make you bored; you choose to be bored. If you don’t choose to be bored, then class will go by more quickly for you.
While a lot of students cringe at the idea of having homework, it is a task that needs to be done. When at home make specific areas for studying and homework, eliminate as much distraction as possible.
Work at a desk or table that has all the necessary supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books, and other essentials. Turn off the TV at home while doing homework and studying. When it is study time, it is not TV time.
Take notes if you’re reading a chapter. Also learn how to skim through material and study tables and charts. Learn to summarize what you have read in your own words. A good studying habit is to make your own flashcards for quick review of dates, formulas, spelling words, etc.
You’ve probably heard about a hundred times that school should be your number one priority. This doesn’t mean you have to stop hanging out with your friends or not have a social life, this just means you need to manage your time. Do your homework right when you get it instead of waiting until the day before its due.
To stop procrastination try breaking your work into steps. Break down your project, then create an overall timeline with specific deadlines for each small task. This way, you know you have to finish each task by a certain date, because most of the time the reason why people procrastinate is because the work is overwhelming.
Try to create a deadline for yourself. Having just one deadline for your work is like an invitation to procrastinate.
A great way to help raise your GPA is to participate in class. Open your mouth every once in a while during class and ask a question or a comment. If you’re bouncing around from a B to an A, those points will really help you on your final grade.
When you don’t understand something stay after with your teacher and get as much help as you can. Especially if you have a test the next day, because it is good to review your notes with your teacher before a test.
Although first quarter report cards might have made some students upset, Interims will be a good way to know if you’re working more efficient.