Q&A for How to Do Well in School

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    In class I'm always sleepy and have no energy. Even when I do get good sleep, I still feel like this. I eat a healthy breakfast every morning. What can I do to have more energy?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you still feel exhausted even with good sleep and proper nutrition, talk to your doctor. There may be a physical reason you feel this way, like a sleep disorder or a vitamin deficiency. Your doctor can also give you suggestions for boosting your energy and staying focused.
  • Question
    I get really upset when I get something wrong, how can I stop this?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you find yourself getting upset, stop and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Remind yourself that mistakes are an important part of the learning process. Stop and think about why you got it wrong, then plan to use that knowledge to help you avoid making the same mistake again.
  • Question
    How can I raise my grades in school?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    In addition to studying hard and taking good notes, it’s also a good idea to ask your teachers for feedback and advice. When they correct your homework, tests, or papers, look at their feedback carefully so you can understand any mistakes you made and figure out how to correct them going forward. Take advantage of any help your teacher can offer, such as practice tests or quizzes, extra credit work, or going over the material one-on-one. Some students also benefit from working with a tutor.
  • Question
    What if you always get first in class and you want to keep it that way? What should you do?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It sounds like you should keep doing what you're doing! Maintaining good study, participation, and attendance habits will help you continue to do well.
  • Question
    I was doing very well but my report card says that I was failing. What should I do?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you're not sure why you have a failing grade or if you feel like there's an inconsistency between your grades and your report card, set up a meeting with your teacher to talk about it. They may be able to explain more clearly how they calculated your grades, or it might turn out that there is an error in your report card.
  • Question
    What do I need to stay on track while exams are getting close without distractions?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try scheduling a specific time to study for your exams each day. Prioritize the different subjects so you can focus on studying the subjects you feel least confident about. During your designated study time, put away your phone and other distractions, or use an app or browser extension to block time-wasting apps and websites. Find a quiet place where you can study without interruptions. You may also find it helpful to study with a hard-working partner who won't goof around and distract you.
  • Question
    How can I make my school day better?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Do your best to get a good night’s sleep the night before so that you wake up well-rested. Eat a good breakfast so you feel good and have energy for the day. Make sure you get to school on time, since arriving late can throw off your whole routine. If you get frustrated, anxious, or upset during the school day, take a moment to take a few deep breaths to calm yourself before you continue with whatever you’re doing.
  • Question
    How do I start liking school?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try making a list of things you already enjoy about school. For example, you might realize that you really enjoy music or PE. If something is less enjoyable for you, make it into a fun challenge for yourself. For example, you could set some small study goals and then reward yourself with a small treat each time you meet one of your goals.
  • Question
    When I procrastinate on the little things, I get super low grades. But when I wait until the last minute on larger ones, I get A’s. I don’t understand how. Could you maybe explain?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    While procrastinating isn't usually a good idea, some people work well under pressure. It's possible that the stress of a looming deadline is helping you focus while you study for your big assignments.
  • Question
    How do I stay focused in class?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Make sure you're getting enough sleep and eating well during the day so that you can stay alert in class. If it's allowed, try keeping water and a few healthy snacks with you to perk you up during class. Taking notes will also help keep you engaged. If you have a really hard time focusing, try doodling or fidgeting with a stress ball or fidget spinner while you listen to your teacher.
  • Question
    I am often distracted by irrelevant things while studying for tests. My past failures make me afraid -- what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Consider moving to a quiet room or place for your studies. Try to keep noise to a minimum and only listen to music if you find it relaxing. Put away electronics and don't answer texts, messages or emails until you've completed the studies. Work hard but at a pace that suits you personally. Don't dwell on past failures; instead, use them as good experiences to learn from, so that you know how to better focus and study in the future.
  • Question
    How long do I have to study for?
    Community Answer
    Study until you have memorised all of the information. However, don't study for too long, as you'll only lose concentration and focus, and won't be able to retain the information. Don't stay up all night!
  • Question
    What apps should I use to learn maths, French and English lessons at home?
    Community Answer
    Quizlet is a really fun and helpful app that can be used for just about any subject. You can use it to make flashcards, memory games and tests. As for maths, khanacademy.org is a pretty cool website that has videos for so many different topics in maths, from algebra, to geometry, to probability and statistics. Duolingo is an amazing website (and app!) to help you learn French. All of these apps and websites listed are all free to download and join.
  • Question
    How can you make yourself start studying?
    Community Answer
    Motivate yourself. Tell yourself that if you study you will achieve your goals: get accepted into a good college course, have a successful career, etc. Realise how important studying is to get A grades, and do well in exams. Decorate your study space with inspirational quotes, and make sure that you have a neat and tidy desk to study from.
  • Question
    What do I do if I get distracted easily?
    Community Answer
    Try to have breaks every hour and switch your phone, tablet and computer off unless you need to use it for your homework. If you do need it for your homework, then install an app that blocks social media and irrelevant apps that you don't need. When you have studied for a certain amount of time, reward yourself with your phone or going on apps and games for a short break.
  • Question
    What happens if your teacher is a bad teacher?
    Community Answer
    If you are struggling in a subject and you have a bad teacher, consider getting extra help in that subject outside of school, with help from a good tutor. There are also plenty of study notes online to help with a subject, as well as revision books that you can buy to help.
  • Question
    How can I be more focused in class when a teacher talks?
    Community Answer
    Ask the teacher if you could sit at the front and stay active during class. Ask questions, participate and listen attentively when other classmates talk. Avoid resting your head on your desk and sit straight. Avoid distracting noises like classmates talking or pen clicking and focus on your teacher.
  • Question
    Why do I forget easily?
    Community Answer
    Most people forget easily, discarding all inessential information and making way for new learning. Forgetting easily isn't all bad because your brain is removing unnecessary information. If you need to remember more, there are plenty of memory retention articles available on wikiHow.
  • Question
    What should I do if all my friends distract me from my job but I want to work in a group?
    Community Answer
    Scold them nicely and in a funny way, to get them to notice that the work needs doing while you're all still having a good time doing it. Say something like: "Okay guys, we've had a bit of fun, now we'd better get some of this done because there's no way I'm taking this home as extra homework. C'mon, put your thinking caps on and your shoosh-o-meter on full."
  • Question
    How can I stop trying to stay home from school?
    Community Answer
    Try to get motivated to atfend school. Find something you like in school, whether it's a certain class, extracurricular activity, or a friend you like hanging out with, and stick with it. You'll find school to be a lot more fun and entertaining.
  • Question
    What if you have friends who let you down all the time, like they don't study almost half the school year but you end up feeling that if you leave them, then you won't find other friends?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes this happens. In this case, it's better to be friends with everyone around you, even if they don't have a good reputation or are very quiet. If your friend lets you down, you can have other friends to be with. Remember to be very kind and not hurt them in any way. If no one seems to like you in class, take it slowly. Do kind deeds with other mates in class and broaden your circle of friends, allowing you to gradually shift allegiances.
  • Question
    What can I do to prepare for the next school year over the summer?
    Community Answer
    You can ask the teacher you will have next year about the next year's schedule and the books.
  • Question
    Is it okay to stay up all night studying?
    Community Answer
    No, not all night. You need your sleep to be in a good position to concentrate the next day. However, if you like studying at night and you are able to sleep in, you might be able to get away with a later than usual night. However, the preferable option is to study until your usual bedtime, sleep properly and get up early to finish the studying. If you study all night, you risk falling sick and if this is exam time, you can't afford to be sick.
  • Question
    How can studying with my friends help me?
    Community Answer
    It enables you to discuss about several topics, and discussing things rather than just reading them is more effective and it really keeps that information in your knowledge. Also, studying with friends can help you be more motivated into continuing to study (that depends on that friend too, if you think he/she is a distraction, then dont study with them, that's a red light).
  • Question
    I'm having a bit of trouble in class when I'm trying to work on my own. Whenever I move away from my friends, they just keep on following me. I tell them I'm trying to do my work but they keep following me everywhere I go. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Ask to see if you can arrange to move to a different class. Explain to your friends that you didn't think the teacher was very good, or that you weren't learning anything new, etc. You'll still be able to meet up and chat with your friends at lunch and at break times, but they will no longer be distracting you in class.
  • Question
    How do I stay out of trouble?
    Community Answer
    If you commit yourself to focusing hard-core on your studies, you won't have time for mischief. Of course, being choosy about who you hang around with at school is important.
  • Question
    How can I get more sleep to do better in school?
    Community Answer
    Set a regular sleep schedule and stick to it. If you find yourself staying up too late, think about the reasons why. If you are on social media, for example, stop using your phone at a certain time each night so you can get more sleep.
  • Question
    How can I do better if I'm currently failing my class?
    Roisin707
    Community Answer
    Well, if the teacher is nice enough, perhaps you could ask him to give you extra lessons, or to highlight what you need to study more. If the class goes over a recent test, take notes on what the corrections to your mistakes are, and go over them when you get home. If there's anything you don't really understand, the textbook usually is able to explain it, or ask for help.
  • Question
    I really want to participate in extracurricular activities, but my school doesn't have any clubs or activities (or even sports). What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Join some stuff outside of school. Check for clubs at your local library or church. You could also volunteer, maybe at a nursing home, animal shelter, or soup kitchen, or take voice lessons or learn an instrument.
  • Question
    I want to study with my friend, but I don't see her often. How can I study with her?
    Community Answer
    You could study over the phone or use a webcam service like Skype to study via video stream.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article