USE A HOMEWORK PLANNER: Get a homework planner to write down homework assignments, homework and project due dates, school marking periods, quiz dates and test dates. The first step to getting better grades is remembering all of the assignments and getting them done on time - it's a waste to settle for a lower grade just because your homework or other assignment is handed in late.
KEEP A BINDER FOR EACH CLASS: Get a 3-ring binder for each class. Each course's binder should include the class syllabus, loose leaf paper for taking notes and a section to collect class hand-outs, worksheets and other papers. Keeping class notes and class papers together makes studying much easier.
TAKE NOTES DURING CLASS! There is no excuse to just sit there during class, or worse - sleep. Writing down the class material in your own words helps students to take in and process the information that is presented by the teacher or professor.
HIGHLIGHT AND TAKE NOTES WHEN DOING ASSIGNED READINGS FOR A CLASS: As you're doing the reading assignments for a class, highlight important passages. Then, using your own words, write these important points in note form to create reading notes. When a student writes notes about the assigned reading in his or her own words, this helps to improve reading comprehension. Taking good class notes and taking notes while doing the assigned readings for a class is also key when it comes for studying for a test. Instead of having to re-read chapters of class readings, you can use your notes to refresh your memory before the quiz, test or exam. This will save time when preparing for a test and the student can then focus on the areas where he or she is less sure.
MAKE A TEST STUDY SHEET BEFORE A TEST: When studying for a test, exam or quiz, create a test study sheet. What material do you think will be covered on the test? This is what should be on your test study sheet. Go over your class notes and reading notes and write up a study sheet with all the important information that you think will be on the test. You can then use this study sheet to quiz yourself or your friends if you're working with a study partner or study group. The process of re-writing your class notes and reading notes into a test study sheet will also help to refresh your memory.
STUDY WITH FRIENDS OR FORM A STUDY GROUP: Study groups are a great way to review information before a test, quiz or class exam. Other students can phrase the class material in a new way that's easier to remember or easier to understand. Students who don't have a photographic memory often have a hard time visualizing their notes during a test or exam. But these same students are often very adept at recalling conversations, so this means that the conversations that arise during a study group session may be more easily recalled by the student during a test.
DO THE ASSIGNMENT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER: Don't leave assignments, class projects and studying sessions until the last minute. But if you do have to complete an assignment to study for a test late in the game, be sure to leave enough time to complete the study session, assigned paper, essay or other project. Handing in assignments late will lower your grade for no good reason. If there is a good reason why you can't have an assignment done in time, try to anticipate this in advance and speak with the professor or teacher to request an extension.