With the second semester starting about a month ago, many students have goals of better grades and being more focused. However, many do not know where to start because once a habit begins it is hard to break. Here are some tips to get you started.
For many students, the reason they cannot stay focused on their work is their phones, many teenagers are very connected to their phones and this distracts them from their assignments. You can start by putting your phone on silent mode or not disturb. Or, if you want something to do on your phone, many scientific studies have shown that music enhances students’ focus.
According to Dr.Masha Godkin, a professor at National University, “Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.” Since each part of the brain is responsible for something different, being able to access both sides and effectively use them is a great thing when it comes to getting schoolwork done.
Another great way to set yourself up for success is to use a planner or your calendar on your phone to set reminders of when important assignments are due or when you have tests. Using a calendar can be beneficial for many reasons studies have proven that writing things down helps you remember them better, and having easy access to something like an electronic calendar in this generation makes it easier to remember to look at.
Also, having an idea of what career you would like to go into might be helpful to stay on track with your goals. If you have a plan, you are more likely to stay on the path of getting good grades so when it comes time you will be accepted into the college, university, or tradeschool of your choosing. Along with having a plan, you should surround yourself with like-minded people that will encourage you to stay focused, get your assignments done on time and turned in, as well as having them done well.
Avoid being around people who are unmotivated or will push you to be unmotivated. Surrounding yourself with people who do not care will push you to be that way, you will start to slack off and if you are someone who expects high things from yourself you will be upset with yourself and your grades in the long run.
Many students complain that classrooms are overstimulating or too loud making it hard to focus, a solution for this is finding somewhere that you are comfortable and it is quiet enough that you can lock in and get your work done. If you do not have somewhere like this at home, you should find somewhere in school like the library or a workspace in the school.
If your problem is not focus but confusion, it is okay to ask for help. If you feel like your teacher is not helping you the way you need it, try visiting another teacher in the department and see if they can help you better, or attend the after-school tutoring sessions held in the media center.
If you need something to deter you from getting bad grades and falling off the path, think about the cost of credit recovery. Doing E2020 costs $175 per class that you fail and if you pass the class and do not pay for it, you will not get the grade until it is paid off. Along with the cost it is after school, and many kids do not have rides home after school if they take the bus so this is problematic.
Being in sports is another way to keep good grades. At Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, athletes cannot have more than two E’s to be eligible to participate. If you do you will be benched until your grades go back up. If you are benched you are still expected to attend practices and performances as if you were actively participating to show good sportsmanship.
The consistency of having a set schedule can also help you get your work done because you will have certain times when you know you can sit down and do your assignments. Having a schedule is beneficial because it helps you build reliability and time management skills. These are not only good skills during high school but great skills that will continue to follow you into your adult life.
New Semester New Me is all about time management and bettering your skills as a person.
