It is not an uncommon occurrence for a parent to approach me to ask me about the methods I use to get good grades. They always seem to assume I dedicate countless hours to formulating study guides and reviewing material. They believe the only way to reach “my level” is to sacrifice sufficient sleep and a social life. This, however, cannot be further from the truth. I earn my good grades without sacrificing other important aspects of my life by planning ahead, collaborating, and using efficient study methods. Notably, the most important step one can take in achieving good grades at the end of the school year is preparation. Planning ahead sets one up for future success. Most students that do well in school have busy lives, so one cannot just fully rely on memory to get everything done. I personally like to use an online planner where I write down all of my tasks and due dates to assure everything gets done on time. Some people prefer going old-school and use a physical planner, but an online one allows you to set reminders so that you need to worry even less about forgetting something. It is also useful to look at the test calendar for the week to have a mental image of what days will be tougher than others throughout the week. I also like to use weekends to my advantage. When I am not out with friends, completing service …show more content…
By adequately preparing, I set myself up for success and mental stability. By collaborating with my classmates, I reduce the workload and allow myself to dedicate more time to work that will ease my studying. By using effective study methods, I am able to focus more when I learn the material, which in turn, results in me retaining more information in less time. My process has proven successful time and time again, all the while I am able to maintain a social life and get sufficient