This is what separates the valedictorian from the lazy student who could have been the valedictorian.

When you’re on the way to ruining your GPA and failing a class, who do you blame? Are you one of those students who hang out at the mall or catch the season finale of Glee instead of studying for that major test the next day?

Let me be the first to say that I was ready to blame the world for the grade I got on that test. I’ve heard a bunch of kids saying “Let’s go to the guidance office. If a ton of kids complain, he/she could get fired!”

But what about Mondays and Tuesdays and Thursdays when you could have stayed after for help and caught the late bus? What about asking the teacher your question, and not your friend next to you who’s taking more Zzzz’s then notes? There’s more you can do to pass, especially for those hoping to get into Ivy League colleges.

Scenario 1

You’re given a packet/booklet for the whole unit. You have almost 20 pages of work for homework (it’s more fill-in-the-blank than anything else). While you’re reading the booklet, eating Ramen noodles, and updating your status on all the social networks, you notice that there is a ton of vocabulary. You know your teacher is going to quiz you the next day on any of this information.

Make flashcards of the vocabulary.

This may sound elementary, but it actually helps with the hundreds of science, English, and social studies words you need to know by the end of the week.

Actually read over all of the pages before class.

Ok, honesty time…who wants to read their homework over again?  You’ve done it once, you don’t want to do it again.  Then, remember: who wants to fail the test?  You have 2 options: study little by little throughout the unit, or….

If you don’t like good grades, cram everything the night before the test.

Then, you’ll wake up totally drained of brain power, walk into class knowing absolutely nothing from the unit, and pray for a timely catastrophe so you don’t have to take the test.  Your choice!

Highlighting – It’s that simple.

For all you people who enjoy colors (I’m with you), use multiple highlighters for different sections.  The eye is attracted to colors on a page compared to black and white going on and on and on…

Scenario 2

Your teacher has “good news”!  You’re having a test tomorrow…and the day after.  Two tests for the same class!  Your life could not get worse, except it just did.  For now, you’re complaining that your brain will combust with so much studying.  You walk into the next block class hoping it will be better.  Psshhh, yeah right!  Your teacher is giving you a test that’s worth 25% of the quarter average!

Make sure you know what test is on what day.

I personally made the mistake of switching up the tests – you don’t want to know what happened.  Plan your study sessions according to when the tests are.  Study the same amount for the tests that are on the same day.  Remember: you can get some studying in when you finish your first test!  Still have one of those planners that people only use for passes?  They can help you keep track.

Figure out which course is giving you the hardest time.

If you’re “the big honcho” in science with an average of 99, but you’re not so hot with proofs, then you know what you have to do.  Spend more time on the difficult subjects than the ones you’re talented in.

Scenario 3

You walk in tired, and you’re hoping for an easy class. You find out that you need to take notes the whole class to understand the unit. Some people say great, just copy the PowerPoint; others groan. They know they can’t learn by taking pages of notes.

Print the notes out.

Some teachers put the notes on their website to that you can print them out at home. Just a little warning: If you do this, make sure you verify with during class that that they match what the teacher is saying. Some teachers may post them, but then find a mistake and point it out during class.

Use visuals!

Make your notes colorful, or draw pictures to remind you of something. You’re the one using the notes, not the teacher.

This isn’t the time to start slacking.

I honestly don’t want to sound like one of those adult figures saying, “The beginning of your life starts now! This is when you need to work the hardest!” However, it’s the truth.

As a teenager, working at Wendy’s or McDonald’s is one of the only ways to get money. But if that’s what you want to do when you’re 30, that’s fine – maybe those 100s on major projects aren’t important.

Most kids want to go to college, make the big bucks, and make it in the world. Slacking off now won’t help. Don’t blame the teacher for your problems; negotiate so that you can learn the way that is best for you.