The Smarter Kid Rules: How to Get Better Grades in School

Do you want to get better grades? I'm about toEvery 15 minutes, take a 5-minute break to recharge.
share with you some of the rules that smart kidsRun in place, lift some weights, or do some push-ups.
follow, whether they know it or not.Homework exercises your mind; use your breaks to
These rules have been a closely guarded secret forexercise your body. It will make homework more fun
years, but as a former smarter kid, I think it is timetoo.
to expose them to you and the world. Getting good7. Ask the teacher for help now rather than later. If
grades is not hard...if you follow these rules:you find yourself falling behind, go to the teacher
1. Sit in the front of the class. Sitting in the front ofafter class and ask him/her to work with you on the
the class makes it easier to pay attention to whatparts you don't understand. They will admire you for
the teacher is saying. Plus, you might get a betterhaving the courage to ask for help. Teachers aren't
grade just because the teacher knows your faceout to get you. Most of them want to do a good
better than someone who is goofing off in the backjob, and it makes them feel good when students
of the class.want to learn.
2. Ask and answer questions in class. If you don't8. Read the end of the chapter first; answer the
understand something the teacher is saying, ask himeasy questions first on tests. When you read, always
her to explain it. It isn't stupid to ask questions; it isgo to the end of the chapter and see if there is a
stupid to pretend to understand something that youchapter summary or questions/answers. Read those
don't.first, then go back to the beginning. This will help you
3. Hang out with smarter kids. Always hang out withunderstand what you read better.
people who have already achieved what you want toWhen you take a test, never just start at the
get. Make friends with students who are alreadybeginning. Always read the whole thing so that you
achieving good grades in the class you are havingcan pick out the easy questions. Do those first. That
trouble with. If you don't understand the way thewill give you confidence. Next, do the questions for
teacher explains it, then ask a student whowhich you think you can work out the answers. Save
understands to explain it to you.the hardest questions for last.
4. Write down everything the teacher writes on the9. Study a little bit every day. The brain learns best if
blackboard. When a teacher writes something on theyou give it smaller pieces of information every day
blackboard, they think it is important. What a teacherinstead of trying to cram in large chunks of
thinks is important is usually what ends up on theinformation at the last minute. If you cram, you will
test. Also be sure to write down all otherget brain cramp. Studying every day for short
important-sounding stuff the teacher says.periods is why smarter kids are smarter. If a smarter
5. Read over your class notes just before you go tokid tells you that he/she doesn't have to study at all,
bed each night. The brain is most open to suggestionit is a lie.
just before you go to bed and right after you wake10. Becoming a smarter kid will make you a smarter
up in the morning. If you review the notes you tookperson. Doing your best in school will teach you to
that day just before going to bed, your brain willthink better and become a better problem solver.
soak in the information better and it will help youThis will help you get a better job, make more
remember what you learned.money, become a better partner, and become a
6. Develop a "Do it now" attitude towards homeworkbetter parent to your own children.
and study. Do your homework right after school,God put you on earth because He needed you here.
while the information is fresh in your mind. The longerHe created you so that you can make a difference.
you wait, the harder it is going to be.