1. How to Get Good Grades
In Ten Easy Steps

2. What Kind of a Student Are You?
I complete homework assignments.
I have all materials for class every day.
I use the time in class to do homework.
I take good notes.
I ask and answer questions in class.
I get along well with my teachers.
I am good at taking tests.
I am happy with my grades.
I use tricks to memorize information.
After reading an assignment, I know it.
What your score means
20-15 points: You are a very good student. This will be a review for you. It could help you get even higher grades.
14-10 points: You are a student who could be getting better grades.
9-5 points: You’re probably not getting very good grades. This could change how you feel about school.
4-0 points: Your grades must be a disaster. This should help you a lot.

3. Step One
Believe In Yourself

4. “To succeed, we must first believe that we can”
Two high school athletes are preparing to compete against each other. They are the same size, and they have about the same athletic abilities. Everyone assumes that it will be an exciting match.
The first athlete runs out. He looks confident, and as he waits, he continues to warm up and stretch. The people nearby can hear him muttering to himself, “I’m ready. I can do it”
The second athlete appears. He slowly shuffles out with his head down, and as he waits, he stands and fidgets with his watch. Those nearby hear him mutter, “I’m gonna get killed.”
Two athletes, same size, same abilities… Even before the competition starts, everyone knows who’s going to win.

5. Step One (cont.)
Whether you’re an athlete preparing for competition or a student tackling a difficult subject, it’s important that you believe in yourself. You need to recognize the talents and abilities that you possess, and you must know, and believe, that you can succeed.

6. Step Two-Be Organized Use three-ring notebooks for class notes.
Use folders for school work.
Have phone numbers for classmates
Keep your backpack neat.
Get organized before you go to bed.

7. Step Three-Manage Your Time Well
Use class time and enrichment
Create your own study plan
Prepare for sabotage:
anything that could interrupt or ruin your study plan and figure out how to eliminate it.

8. Step Four-Be successful in the Clasroom
Be in school, on time, every day.
Learn how to adapt to different teachers.
Be prepared for each class.
Sit in front of the class if possible.
Be aware of your body language.
Always do your homework.
Participate in class.
Treat others with courtesy and respect.
Involve your parents.

9. Step Five- Take Good Notes
Be an active listener.
Take notes to help you pay attention.
Recognize important information.
Take notes that are easy to read.
Go over your notes as soon as possible.
Get copies of notes if you’re absent from a classmate.

10. Step Six- Know how to Read a Textbook
Scan, by reading subtitles, words in bold and italic print, summaries, charts, and review questions.
Read, with a purpose.
Review, by scanning the material to check your comprehension.

11. Step Seven-Study Smart
Find a good place to study.
Get started.
Know your learning style.
Organize your study time.
Know how to study for tests.
Use tricks to help memorize information.
Know how to write a paper.
Have good computer skills.

12. Step Eight-Use Test-Taking Strategies
Get off to good start.
Develop a plan.
Mark the questions that you want to return to
Increase your odds on multiple-choice questions.
Look for key words in True/False questions.
Know how to approach essay questions.
Improve your math test scores.
Check your answers.

13. Step Nine-Reduce Test Anxiety
Start studying early.
Act confident, you may feel more confident.
The more you practice positive thinking and relaxation techniques, the better you’ll get at using them.

14. Step Ten- Get Help when You Need It
When you have a problem , do something to resolve it.
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.
If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves.

15. If you follow these
guidelines you won't
be left out in space
this semester.