How to become a

good student
Being an excellent student has more benefits than just getting good grades. In the short
term, it will make you a more appealing college candidate and you may even qualify for
some hefty scholarships. In the long term, the skills you learn at school will stick with you for
the rest of your life, helping you tackle any problem that comes your way.

Method 1
Studying and Learning Efficiently
1
Choose a quiet place to study without distractions. The more time you spend studying,
the more you’ll learn and the better grades you’ll earn. But the quality of your study
time needs to be efficient, so remove all distractions (cell phones, television,
loud/fast-paced music, and talkative friends/family members), to ensure a calm,
focused environment.[1]
 If you can’t find a quiet place to study, wear noise cancellation headphones (but don’t
play any music).
 Find time to study when most of your peers are doing something else. For instance, if
you finish lunch early, head to the library or any other quiet place that won’t be too
crowded.

2
Avoid procrastinating and stay positive. It’s tempting to say, “I’ll do it later,” but often,
later never happens. Make a point to study right when you get home or right when
the last class lets out. If you have trouble with a particular subject, study that one first
and stay positive![2]
 If you are still procrastinating, ask a friend or family member to keep you
accountable. You could say something like, “Could you check on me in an hour to
make sure I’m still studying?”
 Repeat positive affirmations to yourself if you feel like you’re struggling to
understand something. For example, you might tell yourself: “I can master these
equations!” and/or “I am going to ace this test!”

3
Take short breaks from studying. Your brain needs time to rest and digest
information, so plan to take a 10-minute break after each hour. If you get stuck on a
certain topic, that’s a good time to take a little break so you can come back
refreshed. Set a timer on your phone so a short 10-minute breather doesn’t turn into
30 minutes of procrastination.[3]

4
Read ahead and prepare questions for each class. Find out which chapter your teacher
is covering tomorrow and read it before going to class. That way you become familiar
with the material and can ask questions to clarify things you don’t understand. [4]
 Use a highlighter to draw attention to important information or write your questions
on sticky notes.

5
Do extra credit to further your understanding of a topic. If your teacher offers extra
credit for doing extra assignments or readings, do them! Even if your grade in a class
is 98%, you can still improve your grade and understand the material better.
 If you’re struggling to raise a low grade, ask your teacher if there’s anything you can
do for extra credit. They’ll be impressed by your dedication!

6
Study for quizzes and tests early. If you have a big test coming up, start studying a
few days to a week before the test. Make a study schedule, breaking up your time
into sections, and stick to it. Don’t wait until the night before because cramming
doesn’t allow your brain time to fully absorb information. [5]
 If you play sports or do any extracurricular activities, let your coach or teacher know
that you might need to leave early or arrive a little late to make time for your studies.
If your attendance is mandatory (like for theatre performances or championship sports
games), plan your study time around the event.
 Don’t forget to pencil in small breaks to allow your brain some resting time!

7
Write small tests and quizzes for yourself. Take some time to write some problems up,
or you could ask someone to write them for you. Just remember, the more you
encounter and think about the information, the more likely it is to stick.
 For instance, if you’re studying for algebra, have a friend write out some equations for
you to solve. Time yourself if you struggle with time management during test-taking.
 For Language Arts courses, practicing writing paragraphs using relevant vocabulary
words and varied sentence structures. Make it fun by writing a review of your
favorite movie or jotting down your opinions on something you’re interested in.

8
Read as much as you can to expand your vocabulary. Reading books that challenge
you can expand your vocabulary and comprehension skills, which is useful when a
teacher assigns linguistically arduous texts. If you are not already an avid reader,
start at your level and work your way up.[6]
  Read something you like to get you into it. If you have a friend who likes to read, ask
them for recommendations.
 Go to your school or local library and ask the librarian for recommendations based on
your likes and dislikes in other mediums. For instance, you might say, “I really love
superhero and mystery movies, do you have any books that have those kinds of
themes?”

9
Create mind maps of topics to help you learn new things. Mind-maps help you make
connections between old and new information, giving new facts some context so you
remember them better. This practice is especially useful when you need to
brainstorm ideas for big projects. To create a mind map, write the topic in the center,
add lines that point in different directions, and write your ideas on top of the lines. [7]
 Try to come up with as many ideas as you can. If you are stuck, do some research for
more information.
 Think of this exercise as a form of word or idea association