General Study Hints

• BE AWARE WITH CLASS MATERIAL INTERFERING WITH EACH OTHER. When memorizing information, be careful of class material interfering with each other.  What happens is that you may forget the old material while trying to learn the new material.  Try memorizing material for each class on different days.  Review the night before, or a few hours before, the test. (time management).

• GO TO CLASS. If you want to do well in school, attendance is important.  If you miss class, you miss what the teacher thinks is important; hence, what is most likely to end up on the test.  (motivation)

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• PARTICIPATE IN CLASS. In order to learn more in class, it helps to participate in class discussions.  Asking questions to clarify and maintain eye contact with your teacher can increase your participation and your focus during the class discussion.  Listen to your teacher, and then try to guess what he or she is going to say next.  If the material is difficult, it helps to read the material before you go to class.  This helps you follow along in class.  (motivation)

• IF YOU NEED TO MISS A CLASS. If you have to miss class, let your teacher know.  It is very helpful to have a reliable classmate from whom you can get the notes.  Exchange telephone numbers (with someone who is passing the class) in case of an emergency.  (organization)

• TAKE GOOD NOTES. Try not to write down everything.  All you need are the main points and put in your own words.  Write unfamiliar terms.  Review your notes as soon after class as possible.  You can fill in details that you missed and review the material while it is still fresh on your mind. (organization)

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• USE YOUR TEXTBOOK. Some teachers follow the book closely.  In this case, it is helpful to take the book with you to class and write down topics or terms and write notes from the book. (organization)

• TALK TO YOUR TEACHER. If you are struggling in class, talk to your teacher.  He or she may be able to give you more help or tutor you before or after class.  Most teachers have little sympathy for students who become concerned about failing during the last few weeks of the grading period.  (motivation)

• FORM STUDY GROUPS. Get students together who are motivated to do well in the class.  Make sure that everyone is familiar with the material because you do not want to spend time re-teaching material to people who do not understand.  Be careful!  Sometimes group session can become chatting sessions.  Set yourselves on a goal and then once completed, then have your chatting session. (motivation)

• START AT THE BEGINNING. Start studying; from the first day you make the change or better yet, the first day of school.  It’s never too late, but you have to make the decision to make the change. (motivation)

• KEEP ORGANIZED. Try to keep your backpack, folders, and locker neat.  You should be able to locate papers at any moment when a teacher requests them.  Also, keep in mind that some classes require more effort than others.  For example, Math and foreign languages are subjects, which require daily work.  These subjects build on materials from the day before, so you have to keep up in these classes.  (organization)

It is up to YOU; YOU can DO IT!!!  BELIEVE!!!