“New semester, new me!” These are words almost every student says in the first few months of school when they’re coming back from break. It’s easy to say, but here are five tips to help improve grades.
The first tip is to find motivation. The idea of a new semester and a fresh start is often enough to kickstart one’s motivation, but that excitement can start wearing off after the first week of school. Rather than improving “just because,” try to find a valid motivator to keep going.
“Mindset is everything. If you have the right motivation, it’s a lot easier to follow through on your goals,” said freshman and straight-A student Valentina Miyoshi.
The next is to stay organized. Motivation is great, but organization is just as important on a journey to academic success. At the beginning of the year, all students at Mission Hills High School received planners. Now’s the perfect time to break out these planners and keep things organized.
“An organized environment keeps me calm and motivated,” said sophomore Samantha Lin.
Without organization, Lin says, it would be much harder to maintain her good grades.
Another tip is to strive for effective time management. Staying organized also means managing time responsibly. In many classes, homework greatly affects one’s grade, though homework is what students most often struggle with.
“I’m a busy guy; it’s tough getting my homework done. I keep a strict schedule to allow time for my duties and my homework. It’s all about scheduling,” said freshman Dane Hanlon.
It is also important to focus. Not everything required for an academic comeback involves tons of extra work. Paying attention in class might be one of the easiest ways one can do well academically.
“When I’m in class, I make sure to take out my AirPods, take notes and ask important questions. As long as I’m engaged in my learning, I can do pretty well on tests and assignments,” said freshman Ava Reyes.
Last, but not least, is self-care. Doing well academically isn’t always easy—that’s obvious. It’s a lot of hard work and that can be stressful for a person. Even when focused on work, it’s important to care for oneself. Make time to wind down and enjoy hobbies.
“I keep up my grades, but I make sure to have fun too. I don’t want to lose myself in my school life. I work hard and play harder,” said freshman Jude Poyuzina.
Academic comebacks are tough, but it’s totally worth it. Keeping up with the five steps of motivation, organization, time management, focus and self-care is the key to an academic comeback. Just remember: follow these steps and stay consistent. Good luck, Grizzlies!
