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If you want this to be your best academic year yet, you should try and learn from your past mistakes.
Steps
- Re-read and think about past work. What were you good at? What weren't you good at? What can be improved? If you're stuck, or don't know why you got a bad mark, ask your teacher for help.
- If you have access to grading criteria (i.e. those lists that say "An A grade answer will have done X, Y and Z"), look them up. Look at the difference between the grade you got and the grade that is above yours. How can you achieve the criteria in the next grade?
- If you have the opportunity to pick topics, pick them wisely! Think about what you are good at and, most importantly, what kind of subjects you enjoy. If you have never studied an optional subject before but you think it looks interesting, ask the teacher who teaches it what kind of skills are required and what kind of subjects it is similar to.
- Collect some revision books over the summer holidays and start reading through them. This is particularly important if you are studying a topic you have never studied before. By doing this, you will get some background knowledge on the subject, which will make lessons easier for you during term time. You can just read the books or take notes as you go along- it's up to you.
- Make sure you have all your pencils, pens and the like together for the start of the next school term in order to get the best start. Also, make sure your study area at home is tidy and organized.
- Let parents and friends know that you are trying to improve your grades. They can offer you extra help. If you don't understand something, ask! It doesn't matter how long you spend on something if you don't understand it.
- Get to know the teacher - if the teacher knows that you want to learn by getting extra help, he or she will give you a point maybe if you are on a border line grade.
- Think about your note taking technique. How good is it? Does it need improving? How could you improve it? You could practice taking notes on the lyrics of a song or some script from part of a film if you need some practice at home. This step is particularly important if your course has lectures. Part of taking good notes involves writing down whatever the teacher writes on the board unless they say otherwise. Also, if the teacher emphasizes any point, write that down as well.
- Take the time to compare your progress to your progress last year. If you are still going at the same pace, it's time to try something different.
- Do not procrastinate. Start your assignments at a routine time every day (when you get home, or right after dinner, for example). Don't leave things until tomorrow. Don't be afraid to take your time. Studying is not a race, and you will understand and retain better if you move at an even pace, rather than hurrying to get through things.
Tips
- Looking after your body is important if you want a healthy mind. Eat a good diet and get as much sleep as you need.
- Grading criterias can be found on most university, college or school websites. If you have taken external examinations, you can also find grading criterias on the exam boards website.
- If your course involves assessment of handwritten work, you may want to think about improving your handwriting if it isn't good. Answers that can't be read get few or no marks, regardless of how excellent the content is!
- Get and use a monthly planner - many schools give these for free. Write down not only what day you have a big test or assignment due, but also days on which you will devote a block of study time to preparation for the test or the the assignment.
- Keep all of your supplies ready, so that you can add notes to your wrong answers, highlight important facts, and color in certain diagrams. All of these techniques will help.
- Write neatly because they may not be able to read sloppy handwriting, and if they can’t read it, it’s a zero.
Warnings
- Although some people find that working in front of the TV actually allows them to learn more, the majority find it to be a distraction. If you studied a lot in front of the TV last year, turn it off this year!
- Computers and the Internet can be a huge distraction when it comes to studying. If you don't need it, turn it off.
- Don't panic if one particular method of study doesn't seem to work for you. Everybody is different. Some people can absorb lots of knowledge just by reading, whilst others learn better by doing mock exams. It's all a matter of discovering what works for you.
- Easier said than done but avoid stressing out. Stress often has an adverse effect on your grades and will do your health no good either. If you are feeling the pressure, talk to a friend about it.
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Sources and Citations
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