Skip To Main Content

High School Success

Finding Success in High School

 

Manage Your Time:                                          

While high-school students average 35 hours per week of class time, college students log an average of 15 to 18 hours per week.  Getting your "free" time under control now will help prepare you for managing that extra 20 hours a week come freshman year of college — when you'll need to study and want to socialize more than ever.

If you don't already, start using a daily planner. This could be a datebook you keep in your bag, an online version you maintain at home, or both. It's easy to over-schedule or "double-book" if we aren't careful. Manage your time wisely and you'll get the maximum out of each day.

 

Create Good Study Habits:                                                  

  • Good study habits include these basics:
  • Always be prepared for class, and attend classes regularly. No cutting!
  • Complete assignments thoroughly and in a timely manner.
  • Review your notes daily rather than cram for tests the night before.
  • Set aside quiet time and place each day for study — even if you don't have homework or a test the next day!

 

Concentrate:                                           

Listen to your teacher and stay focused. Be sure that you understand the lesson. If you don't understand something, ask questions! You've heard it before, but "the only dumb question is the one you don't ask".

 

Take Good Notes:                                           

  • Don’t write down everything that you read or hear. Be alert and attentive to the main points.
  • Notes should consist of key words, or very short sentences.
  • Take accurate notes.  You should usually use your own words, but try not to change the meaning. If you quote directly from the author, quote correctly and record the citation.
  • Think a minute about your material before you start making notes. Don’t take notes just to be taking notes! Take notes that will be of real value to you when you look over them later.
  • Have a uniform system of punctuation and abbreviation that will make sense to you.  Leave white space for later additions.
  • Keep your notes short and to the point. Condense your material so you can grasp it rapidly.
  • Do not worry about missing a point. Leave space and try to pick up the material you miss at a later date, either through reading, questioning, or common sense.
  • Don’t keep notes on oddly shaped pieces of paper.  Keep notes in order and in one place.
  • Shortly after making your notes, go back and rework (not recopy!) your notes by adding extra points.
  • Review your notes periodically. This is the only way to achieve lasting memory.
  • Complete all assignments and projects ... on time:               
  • Teachers assign homework for a reason. While it may seem like "busywork" at times, it definitely has a purpose.

 

Get Organized:                                                              

Keeping yourself organized will save you valuable time and allow you to do everything you need to do. Remember: "A place for everything and everything in its place." Keep all your study materials (calculator, planner, books, notebooks, laptop, etc.) in one convenient location.

 

Check up on Your Grades Often:                                  

Checking online in the student portal will help you stay up-to-date with assignments and your grades.  Check with your teacher is there are error or missing grades.