Organize your time * English classes can involve a lot of reading, so careful planning can help you stay on top of your work. * Break down big deadlines into smaller chunks, to make sure you’re staying on target. For example, if your teacher tells you that you need to read a novel by the end of September, you could set your own goal of reading about 50 pages per week throughout the month. * If you have to write an essay on a particular book, make sure you’ve finished that book at least 2 weeks before the paper deadline. * Keep your goals and deadlines written down in a planner or electronic calendar. Read attentively * Underline, highlight, or put sticky-notes in your books, so that you can mark important passages. This will make your life easier when you need to find certain parts of a book to use in writing assignments. * Look up any words you don’t understand. * Take notes while you read, to informally record your thoughts and reactions, as well as any questions you might have for your teacher. * If you have time, try to re-read important passages of books more than once. Re-reading allows you to notice details you might have missed the first time around and to gain a deeper understanding of the material. Engage with your teacher and your class * Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Most teachers are glad to answer your questions, and taking the time to clarify things you don’t understand shows a teacher that you really care about succeeding in their class. * Regularly attending English classes helps you gain an understanding of what you’re reading. * Take notes in class, so that you don’t forget the ideas the class discusses. * It can be scary to talk in class, but trying to participate will let you test out ideas, to see what works and what doesn’t, before it comes time to write your assignments. * If you are a college student, attend your professor’s office hours. * Talk to your teacher about your ideas for presentations and papers well in advance, to get their input. Writing English assignments * Try to start your writing assignments as early as possible. Give yourself enough time to write and re-write . . . the more drafts, the better! * It can be hard to look clearly at your own writing after spending hours on it, so asking others to help edit your work can be very useful. Ask friends, family, and even other teachers to give you feedback on your writing, and revise accordingly. * Carefully follow your teacher’s instructions, to make sure you’re meeting the assignment’s requirements.