Q&A for How to Get Good Grades in Middle School

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  • Question
    How do you get your grades up in middle school fast?
    Ashley Pritchard, MA
    Academic & School Counselor
    Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.
    Academic & School Counselor
    Expert Answer
    I would talk to your teacher if you're having trouble with any particular subject. If that doesn't help, talk to your guidance counselor to see what tutoring options are available to you.
  • Question
    I'm too scared to ask my teacher questions. What if I don't understand? What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher privately after class or school. Teachers usually love it when students ask questions because it means they're trying to understand the material. Also, asking questions during class doesn't have to be scary. If you have trouble understanding something, another student in the class probably does too. Asking your question will help other students as well as you, and can also help the teacher do a better job teaching.
  • Question
    What if you screw up your first day of school, and you feel like your teachers have a bad impression of you?
    Community Answer
    Don't worry about it. Just make sure to make a better impression on the next days. But really, it's the quality of your work that matters, not so much the impression you make. If you work hard, do your assignments well, and score well on tests, that will be all you need to get good grades.
  • Question
    If I am in the six grade and we only have three months left and I am failing. What do I do to pass?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher to ask about any extra credit. Make sure to get ready for any tests or quizzes coming up and try to ace them. Do your homework and try to get good grades on all assignments handed in.
  • Question
    What if it is already almost the the end of first semester and you have pretty much failed?
    Community Answer
    Do your best anyway, and tell your teacher that you'll put in more effort into classwork next semester. Participate in class as much as you can in the last few weeks.
  • Question
    What if your not that smart and still don't get it? I've tried over and over to understand but it still makes little sense.
    Community Answer
    No-one is perfect and people always have at least one class more challenging. Just try to participate in class, Listen in class because that way even if you forgot to study something, the information will come back to you during a test. Study regularly and you'll see your grades go up. Ask questions in class, teachers will see you're involved and trying hard, which will make them inclined to help you. The "smartest" ones often aren't the ones who get the best grades, but the ones who study the hardest are. However, do see a learning specialist if you've tried hard and it still hasn't improved, to check for any learning disorders you may be encountering.
  • Question
    I try not to procrastinate but I can't help it. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Put all your hobbies and other things away for now. Sit in a quiet area without distractions. Set up a schedule with time slots in it for doing and completing the work by. Reward yourself with treats after every time you do your work.
  • Question
    I just joined class and I currently have an E (failing) in that class. I want to make honor roll but I can only have A's, B's and one C. I need to have an A to balance out the C, and I feel like my teacher is compelled to help me but can't help me properly. What do you recommend?
    Community Answer
    After class, review everything that was said until you really, perfectly get it. Do this regularly and ask someone who regularly has A's in that class to help you. See them after school so they can explain things that might be confusing. If you study regularly, then your teacher will notice and help you all that they can. It also helps to explain your goal to your teacher, as most teachers will be willing to help someone with such determination.
  • Question
    How do you do well in your test by studying from the day before?
    Community Answer
    Right when you find out you are having a test or quiz, study right away. If you find out you are having a test or quiz the day before, then make extra time to study. You should use flash cards to help you and you should take notes on everything and use it to study. Do not cut into your sleep - it helps you to retain what you have learned.
  • Question
    What do you do on the first day back to school but in a different place or school?
    Community Answer
    Try to make new friends and do the best you can to get good grades. Make the best out of it!
  • Question
    What if I don't have time to do my homework because my mother works and I have to look after my brothers?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your mom about this. Maybe she can arrange for someone else to help out with watching your brothers. If nothing can be done, try getting your brothers involved in some activity they can do together while you do your homework like coloring, playing a game, etc.
  • Question
    How do you make an angry teacher happy?
    Community Answer
    Are you sure this teacher is angry and not just being given a hard time by difficult students? Calling someone angry all the time is a fairly skewed vision as people are many emotions throughout the day. If you like, you could bring the teacher a gift to say thank you for the hard work they're doing. You could encourage other students to be quiet and listen. Be an attentive student.
  • Question
    What If I'm scared of a test and I feel like I'm going to fail? What do I do to calm myself?
    Community Answer
    Just study as much as you can and stay organized. Also, make sure you get a good sleep the night before. Don't try to cram in more studying throughout the day, just take deep breaths and try your best.
  • Question
    What if they just don't like you? If they know (think) you will do what you did before the next day?
    Community Answer
    If you're talking about the teacher, it doesn't matter how the teacher feels about you (or the students, either). That's not what determines your grades. How well you do your work determines your grades. Just study harder, do your work well, and earn better grades. If it ever seems your teacher is grading you on the basis of something other than your work, that's a problem, and you should discuss the issue with your parents and/or the principal.
  • Question
    What if I get off task a lot and am not able to focus?
    Aaliyah Roberson
    Community Answer
    Try harder every day and think of someone you want to be better for.
  • Question
    How can I get good grades if the teacher doesn't like me?
    Community Answer
    Focus in class, study, and do well on your homework and tests. If you do your work well, you will get good grades. The teacher does not have to like you at all.
  • Question
    How can I prove to my teacher that I am a good student?
    Community Answer
    Listen attentively, and do your classwork and homework.
  • Question
    I failed a class, and my parents are angry. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to calm them down and tell them that you will do better next time. Then keep true to this promise. Set a goal for yourself and study harder.
  • Question
    What if the people near me are distracting?
    Community Answer
    Ask the teacher if you can move. If they say no, ignore the person and if it gets out of hand confront the person (people) and ask them to be quiet. If they keep distracting you, tell the teacher you can't sit there. If the teacher won't help you, try talking about the problem with a guidance counselor and see what they recommend.
  • Question
    What can I do if I'm failing and my dad is calling me immature?
    Community Answer
    Buckle down and work harder. If you're having trouble with a particular subject, ask the teacher for help or ask your dad if he can help you find a tutor. This will show your seriousness and maturity.
  • Question
    What if I am a quiet person and don't like talking in front of the class and I have a presentation? How can I make myself less scared?
    Community Answer
    Use flash cards to help yourself memorize the presentation. If you memorize it, you might feel more confident. If you have a sibling, try presenting it to them. If you don't, just practice what you're going to say in a mirror. If it's in a group, and you're still scared, talk to the group members and ask them to have you say the least. Even doing more research on the topic can boost your confidence.
  • Question
    What if your mom is so mad at you that you got a bad grade that she grounds you?
    Allisyn Weisenberger
    Community Answer
    Explain to her why you got that grade and tell her you will improve. Lay out a plan for how you plan to do that. If you are still grounded, learn from your mistakes.
  • Question
    How to not be stressed out when you have a lot of homework
    Community Answer
    This article has some great tips: how to avoid homework stress .
  • Question
    How can I improve my grades and get As at the end of the year?
    Community Answer
    Continue to study often, talk to your teachers and stay on top of your homework and assignments. It is never to late to adopt these habits, so keep them up until the end of the school year!
  • Question
    What if it is close to the end of the school year and I'm still failing?
    Community Answer
    Try your best and ask the teacher for help. If that doesn't work out, then get extra classes or work with a tutor, if possible.
  • Question
    What can I do if my teacher doesn't accept extra credit and it's almost the end of the marking quarter?
    Community Answer
    You can ask if you can retake any tests or redo papers. Try to express your concern to your teacher, and ask if there is anything you can do to raise your grade.
  • Question
    How can I get really good grades in middle school?
    Community Answer
    Always pay attention in class and take notes, and be sure to do your homework and study for all tests and quizzes. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it to clarify any subjects.
  • Question
    No one's home at my house to help me with my homework, and I have a paper due tomorrow. How can I get help?
    Community Answer
    You can call or text a friend in your class for help. Make sure that the friend is not telling you the answer, just explaining. If your parents/guardians are coming home later in evening, you can choose to wait for them to come back. In the meantime, do any other homework you have or do some extra studying for a test if you have one.
  • Question
    How do I stop being lazy? I think of all these plans I have, but I always end up not doing them because I become too lazy. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    This isn't uncommon at all, you just need to find a way to motivate yourself; writing out a realistic schedule of your time (including breaks) would probably help. Check out wikiHow articles Not Procrastinate With Homework , Find Motivation to Do Homework , and Plan a Homework Schedule for some good tips.
  • Question
    Can homework actually help boost your grades? I just see teachers just checking if we did it or not.
    Community Answer
    Homework almost always counts toward your grade. Some teachers assign you points according to whether you complete it or not instead of collecting and grading every assignment (which can be time-consuming). Homework can definitely help boost your grades.
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