Q&A for How to Be a Successful High School Student

The best way to ace your final exam is to really love and engage with the class throughout the school year. Take good notes and retain the information as you go. If you don't, then you'll have to learn too much material at the end of the semester right before your exam.

The best strategy is to focus on learning the material. Tests are designed to be finished in time, so as long as you've studied well and know all of the material, you won't have to worry about going really fast or running out of time.

The hardest part about high school is planning for the future. Often, high-school students look at exams as something they should start studying for a week before they take them. Those students usually have to scramble to make a study guide for each subject. However, if you go through each year, taking notes and making study guides for every unit, studying for finals will be easy.

No. Colleges only look at your high school grades. However, developing good habits in middle school will help you do better in high school, which will benefit you when applying to colleges.

The main ideas, the big pictures, big processes, or important formula. Look for key words and phrases. Make sure this doesn't happen again in the future, because you're unlikely to get a decent grade if you haven't prepared at all.

If a library is nearby, go there. If not, find a table as far away from others (distractions) as possible, and start studying.

Yes, most colleges would admit you based on those grades.

Success in high school can mean a better choice of colleges, and a good college will open up the option for better job prospects, which means a better career, more money, and therefore more success.

Not necessarily. It depends more on how you respond to your friends. If you constantly go out with your friends when you should be doing your homework, then that will negatively affect your success. If you say no to your friends sometimes, you may have better luck. It's up to you to notice how your friends behave and how you respond to them.

Outside. You don't need a desk to study -- just a notebook, a pencil, and some light. Alternatively, you could stay late after school and use an empty classroom or your school library.

Keep your GPA high, and try to do well in the SAT. Participating in extracurriculars such as sports (rowing is a good one) and community service also increases your chances. Finally, learn a new language. All schools love people that speak 2 or more languages. If you're not sure where to begin looking for specific scholarships, speak to your school guidance counselor.

Always make sure to study for tests and quizzes. If you are continuing to perform poorly, you could try hiring a tutor. Should you decide to get a tutor, your teachers or guidance counselor will probably be able to give you a recommendation.

Be sure to make school your main focus. That doesn't mean to stop all after-school commitments or stop hanging out with friends, but devote more time to your studies. If you want extra help in your classes, a teacher or guidance counselor can recommend a tutor.

Make sure you get your work done, and never procrastinate. That way, when you have an assignment due, you'll be ready to hand it in and won't have to worry or panic.

Set up a time table and stick to it. Also, use good time management to manage your time wisely. For instance, do 1 hour math, 10 minutes break and exercise for 30 minutes every now and then, to keep fit.

If you can't take the subject you need for your dream job, try to take some online classes. These are often tailored to specific needs and quite affordable.

Time management is key. Prioritize your syllabus and try to focus on your areas of development, as spending unnecessary time on things you are already good at takes away from your total preparation time. Take fifteen minute breaks after a good two hours of studying, but make sure not to engage in a very distracting activity, e.g., watching television. Keep yourself energized; drink lots of water and choose healthy snacks. Avoid coffee unless absolutely necessary. If you are on a study break, try to wake up early in the morning, as the brain is freshest at that time. Try not to stay up too late. Remember, if you pace yourself during this critical year, things will be much easier later.

Study the subject you struggle with the most or the subject you enjoy the most. .