Improving and Maintaining Good Grades
 

There comes a time in every teenager's life when their grades begin to slip below what they would like. This is completely normal, so try not to let it be too discouraging when it happens to you! The cliché of school in general is that grades do slip as one hits puberty and could be a result of several different things. Becoming a teenager can be confusing and definitely stressful; the teenage years are when all the body changes, first loves, new friends and possibly losing old friends really start becoming noticeable. These years are always difficult at some time or another, and grades often fall by the wayside as you deal with these conflicting emotions.

Although the cause is not always crystal clear, there is ALWAYS something you can do to rectify this situation. Talk to your parents and reach out to them for help. Yes, it may sound completely lame, but trust us! Parents almost always will be willing to help you, whether assistance is needed with the actual work, time management, or just giving you the needed support to get through the study session. Teenagers often need some kind of push to get themselves motivated, and that can easily come from a parent or guardian. If you’re not quite comfortable talking to your parent face-to-face, try writing them a note or shooting them a text or an email. Once your parents realize that you’re reaching out to them for help, they’ll most likely do what they can to bring this up and figure out just what you need to bring those grades up.

Along with parental help, another form of adult guidance can come from your teacher(s). Helping students is in their job description! Make plans to either stay before class or after class to ask for help; chances are, your teacher will be more then happy to do what he or she can. Sometimes it can be embarrassing asking for extra help, but it can only benefit you. Unfortunately, the teacher cannot know who needs extra help and who is simply slacking. Extra help most likely would be available during lunch or a free period. They may also recommend a private tutor for you to see if it fits your schedule and budget.

From peer pressuring you to making you feel like a goody-two-shoes by being called a “teacher’s pet,” friends can be a huge distraction from homework. Always keep in mind that your real friends will never judge you for wanting to do well in school and will most likely encourage you to reach your full potential! In the best case scenario, your friends will possibly even model after you as you make the best grades out of your class. Explain to your friends that grades are really important to you, but that you would be more then willing to spend time with them after you've finished your school work.

Extracurricular activities are another form of distraction from your academics. It may seem appealing to join the hockey, basketball and football teams or take up swimming and dance outside of school, but spreading yourself too thin can really affect your grades. The stress and conflicting schedules of wanting to perform well both on the court and in the classroom can be extremely confusing. Additionally, that much exhaustion can lead to a mental or even physical burnout. Be careful that you don’t have too much on your plate; you will be thankful when you have that little bit of downtime here and there.


Tips to improve grades and study habits:

• Set aside a certain place at home specifically for homework and studying. Consistency is helpful for motivation and concentration. If you cannot find this place at home, try a library, or local community centre. Often times, various places around the community will have a “quiet hour” or two after school so that adolescents can fully focus on school work.
• Sometimes, schools also have after school programs led by other students or various teachers ready to give help when others need it! If you feel like you’re need extra academic help, give one of these after school programs a try.
• Avoid trivial distractions such watching TV, texting or surfing the internet (yes, even TeenHelp!).
• Try and keep your binders and notes organized. Organized notes are the first step to an organized mind!
• Give yourself small breaks. For example, work an hour then take 10 minutes to breathe or enjoy a small power snack. Overworking yourself will get you nowhere.
• Never cram the night before a test or exam! Study reasonable amounts starting four or more days in advance. By cramming, you will more than likely psych yourself out and forget most of the material needed for the test.
• If you get a bad grade, relax. Try not to have a breakdown over one assignment or test grade. There is always another opportunity! You can only do better, right?