How often have you looked at your high-performing peers, and wished you could be a bit more like them? Whether it’s because of parental expectations, peer pressure or simply a desire to outperform, acing your tests and exams is a dream every student has.
What if I told you that it isn’t as hard as it may seem, and you too can join the ranks of those straight-A students. Intrigued? This guide will show you the few adjustments you need to make to be able to achieve those, as of yet, out-of-reach levels of success.
But before we begin, I must highlight that education isn’t merely about getting good grades. Education is about learning, and if you focus on learning, not only do you get good grades, but you get to develop other skills as well.
You should focus on absorbing as much information as you can, while critically analyzing it to become an expert at whatever field you’ve chosen to pursue. This is the approach that drives innovation and paves the way for greatness.
Various studies have found a direct link between approaches to education and the impact it has on students’ critical thinking skills. So, while students have a responsibility, teachers do too.
Therefore, a good Master’s in C&I and Instructional Coach Leadership program would prepare teachers for enabling the critical thinking capacity in their students.
Here are some tips to help you become a straight-A student:
1) Build self-discipline:
This is the most important step. You need to organize your schedule to build self-discipline. Discipline, being the key to your success, is what you should rely on when you set your mind to something.
Start by making lists of assignments that need to be done. Schedule them into your routine so you know exactly when you have to work on them. Once you follow this routine long enough, you will start finding comfort in it. It’s also less stressful when you know when assignments are due, and there’s also a certain pleasure experienced from ticking assignments off your list as you complete them.
2) Ask questions:
If you’re not clear about any concept in school, ask your teachers. They’re not there to ridicule you or mock you, rather they’re there to help you. Peer pressure may cause you to feel a little discomfort in opening up about your needs, but if you don’t do it, you’ll regret it later.
Be clear with your questions, and if the teacher isn’t available, ask your peers for help. Some students genuinely help others, and if you find some of those around you, develop a study circle with them and you can learn together. Sometimes, help is available, but our sense of pride prevents us from seeking it.
3) Read up:
Your learning shouldn’t be limited to the classroom. You should make visits to the library to make use of the free resources you have at hand. Reading has enormous benefits for your intellectual growth because it allows you to think outside of the box.
Don’t limit your reading habits to a few genres, rather expand your tastes. This not only leads to enhanced creativity but also exposes you to a variety of subjects. Also, if you’re reading around the subjects you’re studying, you can critically analyze topics, and it would help you to ask more relevant questions in class.
4) Use multimedia resources:
Sometimes certain concepts are hard to understand when you’re only looking at them in a textbook and hearing about them from a teacher. Visualizing what you study can aid in developing a deeper understanding of the concepts. This is where multimedia resources come in.
Your educational institution may have certain multimedia resources available. If not, you can look up your topics on YouTube. Many great videos explain certain difficult concepts with great simplicity. You may find them useful, and you may be able to teach your peers about them as well.
5) Study for tests early:
If you have tests or exams coming up, it’s always better to start early. You don’t want to be one of those students who start their preparations last minute. It’s not only stressful, but you’re likely to miss out on essential information when you are glancing over the course material.
The best approach is to start early, and to consume information slowly. Not only does this help you retain more, but it allows you to analyze it from different perspectives. If you face a technical question in the exam, you will be able to handle it properly if you prepared for it the right way.
6) Keep a track of your scores:
If you didn’t do well in one test, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a good final grade. If you keep track of your scores, you can evaluate your weaknesses, and work on them to score better in the next test.
Sometimes teachers allow students to take bonus tests to help them compensate for their low scores. Even if you end up with a B in a subject, these newly-formed habits will help you rise to the top in the future. Just be consistent.
Final thoughts:
As you can see from the above-mentioned tips, discipline and learning are the keys to getting good grades. Once you develop the discipline, things will become easier, and you won’t find yourself marveling anymore at what high-achievers achieve consistently.
High-achievers tend to function within a pattern, and that pattern can be adopted. The genius exceptions, however, don’t make the rule, and, in the end, it all boils down to consistent hard work.
