EXCELLING IN SCHOOL
By Nimie Bruno
When I was in elementary school, I aced my classes never studying for a single spelling test or math test.
This practice of not studying transferred on through middle school and high-school. By the time I was in
high-school, I started having difficulty with the advanced and honors classes I was taking. I still had not
learned how to study. Yet, I successfully completed these high-school classes.
My lack of study skills soon became a huge setback to me when I got to college. I struggled in
understanding how I could never come up with the right answers like I did before, and finally forced
myself to learn how to study. As you go through school, find out what your learning style is. Are you
better at learning visually? Maybe you learn better by hearing, or even by teaching others? I eventually
found out I am more of a visual learner. The following are some tips from me to you on things I have
learned through my education:
1. Set goals and aim for them. When I was getting my undergraduate degree, I was also working parttime. I realized that the secret to my success at work was because I set goals for myself and exceeded
them. This is essential in education too. Rather than just aiming to finish things and doing what is
expected of you, set goals on what you want to achieve. You may surprise yourself at what you achieve.
2. Form study groups. When it comes to studying, find people who have the same educational goals as
you to study with. Sometimes the best way to study as a group is by teaching each other the subject.
However, make sure the group uses the study time wisely and doesn’t stray from the goal.
3. Read, read, read, anything and everything. This will help you build your writing skills. One of the
greatest assets you can have as an adult is the ability to write effectively and communicate clearly. No
matter what profession you go into, this should be one of the greatest skills you possess. It will also help
build your patience for reading textbooks while studying.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what teachers, professors, and parents are here for, to help you.
One of my mistakes going through school was not asking for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when
you don’t understand something, thinking your classmates will be annoyed by you. Truthfully, a few of
them might. However, a majority of them probably are on the same boat as you. They’re too scared to
ask for help as well. You can always ask your parents for help as well. If they don’t know the answer,
they will more than likely find someone who does.
5. Take good notes. I had the privilege in high school of being trained to take good notes. Some of my
teachers refused to give printed notes or PowerPoint slides and had the class hand-write our class notes
in order to prepare us for college. This eventually helped me immensely in college (especially since I
lacked the studying skills when I started). Also take notes when you are reading up for a class. You can
use these notes to study with later.
6. Procrastinate with caution. Procrastination is not always good, but it’s not always bad either.
I personally believe some procrastination prepares you for the real world. You may be faced with a last
minute project or deadline and you have to be able to handle the stress effectively. In school, I only
procrastinated on things I knew I could complete and succeed at with less time. When it comes to things
like major projects in school, where you’re given weeks to work on, do not procrastinate. Start working
on it as soon as you get it, I speak from experience. This way, if you mess up, you will know you tried
your best. This also helps you develop time management skills which will transfer into your future
careers.
7. Study in advance. This goes in line with the last tip on procrastination. Do not cram for an exam the
day before. Half of your learning comes from studying, when you figure things out on your own. If you
give yourself plenty of time, you can do really well on your exams. Try to start studying for a test a few
days before it is scheduled. If you have studied and learned everything by the day before the exam, you
can give yourself a breather and relax. This way, all you have to do is look over your material briefly and
sleep in peace the night before.
8. Take small breaks when studying. This means that you take a break for a few minutes after finishing a
few chapters or for every hour of studying. It will give you a few minutes to gather your thoughts.
9. Get enough sleep the night before an exam. You have to give your brain some rest so it can process
everything it’s learned while preparing for the exam. While sleeping, your brain will be busy filing away
everything you studied so that you can remember information easier for when you need it.
10. Eat breakfast. Don’t think you’re being cooler than everyone else by skipping breakfast. Everything
you hear and read about breakfast being the most important meal of the day is true. By doing so, you’re
pretty much starving your brain of the nutrients it needs to function properly.