How Students Can Dominate in the Classroom

Over ten years working with high school student-athletes on improving their academic performance, I have discovered there are things students can do to dramatically improve their performance in school. Here are 10 items I review with my clients in order to improve academic performance.

1. Sit in the front row.

There’s a split second when you step into the classroom, especially on the first day of school, when you decide where you are going to sit. You may see your friends sitting in the back and an open seat right in front. Right at that second you have to decide whether or not you are going to choose to be a “student” this year or are you going to do what you always do: Succumb to the pressure, sit with your friends and try to convince yourself that this will be the year that you change – Except you never actually change your behaviors. SIT IN FRONT! It helps. That choice will make you feel more like a student, keep you focused, and reinforce your commitment to getting good grades.

2. Write down test dates as soon as you know them in your weekly/online planner.

When using your weekly planner, it is imperative that you USE your daily planner. Write down all your assignments when you receive them. At the same time, also write down the days that you plan to study for that test/quiz etc. For example, if you have a test on a Monday, write down on the Thursday before the test to study – at least review the material. Studying on the Thursday prior to the Monday exam allows you to ask questions on Friday, then you can study the correct material without questions.

3. Get a 100% on the first quiz/test/homework assignment for each class.

Once you have set your goals and committed to changing your academic performance, get an A on whatever the next assignment is. You have to know how difficult, or easy, it is to do your absolute best. Put everything you have into that first exam, paper, or quiz. Once you have tried your best, you can measure all other exams against it. How hard are you going to work? Anyone can ace quizzes. It doesn’t take that much effort. Just do it. That’s it. No excuses.

4. Make certain that you earn 100% on all “extras” (i.e., Homework, Attendance, Class Participation, etc.).

This is the easiest way to improve academic performance. If 15% your quarterly grades depend on you class participation, you must get a 100% on it. Class participation is completely controllable. Speak up. It’s a major part of your grade. Plus, teacher will know you’re interested and it will keep you more alert in class.

5. Complete ALL homework assignments (without looking up the answers).

Take a little more time during your homework and really understand the answers. I have definitely looked in the back of my math book to find the answers without even trying to figure out the question first. I know, you just want to get it done, but if you take an extra few minutes to understand it, your quiz and test grades will jump dramatically and you won’t have to cram for the tests because you already understand it.

6. Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities, even if you got a 100%. You may need those points later.

Often times a teacher will give the class a chance to get extra credit. Always do the extra credit assignment. It takes 30 minutes at the most and you usually don’t even get graded on it. Teachers may give you an extra 10% on a test. And even if you got a 100% on the test, you can get a 110% with the extra credit. Now, on the next test you may get a 90%, but your test average will still be 100%.

7. Challenge a classmate to a contest of who can receive better grades in that class.

Once you have challenged a friend to see who can get the higher grade on a test or quiz, you get this feeling that you really have to perform. Try it once. Trust me it works. Then after the first one continue on the next and so on. Then see who can get the higher grade in the class for the whole quarter/semester.

8. Get to know your teacher.

Remember: Teachers want to help, and if they know you personally, they will help you achieve your goals. Tell them about your goals and what you are trying to do this year. Teachers will notice your effort and appreciate it as long as it is earnest.

9. Study PRIOR to the night before the test.

This is a must. The more you can review your notes, the better off you are going to be once the test comes. Just take a couple minutes each night to go over the notes you wrote down that day in class. You may find that something doesn’t quite make sense and you can ask about it during class the next day. This is a great way to show your teachers that you are working hard to improve.

10. For labs, find the best partner, not necessarily your best friend.

I’m not knocking your friends; I’m just speaking from experience. You will get a lot more accomplished if you choose a partner who is smart, willing to do the work, and is not your best friend. Of course, this isn’t always true…

I hope that helps! Review this list with your student. I'm sure we have all said at least half of these to our students - but sometimes it helps for them just to see it in writing.