First Of All… Welcome to High School!
Elementary school was interesting and fun, middle school was largely a time of change, and now it’s time for high school. During high school, you and your peers from earlier grades begin to go your separate ways. It’s a time of educational advancement that will prepare you for your future.
Your High School GPA: What is it, Anyway?
First, it’s important to learn what the GPA is. In a nutshell, it tells your grade point average. If your high school GPA is high, it means that you had good grades and this boosts your chances of being noticed by colleges, and standing out among your peers. Some schools do not use the standard scale to measure GPA, so it’s wise to find out what your specific school does. Because of this variation, many universities will recalculate your score in order to conform to their standards.
How Do You Start Improving Your High School GPA?
Now comes the question of how to achieve high scores. Start by having a discussion with your school’s guidance counselor about what your goals are. They can help you at the end of your high school career by writing letters of recommendation, assisting you with finding financial aid and double-checking your college applications. Starting a relationship with a guidance counselor at the beginning of your high school career can keep you on the right path from day one.
I would like to recommend the book called, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey. Inside the pages of the book, you’ll find new mind-sets to help you in achieving solution-oriented thinking. It’s time to take ownership of your actions. Earning an excellent high school GPA will mean that you have to be responsible for making time to study, completing your homework, and participating in class.
Talk With Your Teachers
Ask your teachers what they expect from you. Are there opportunities to earn extra credit? If you do poorly on a test, can you do something to earn back some of the lost points? Does your teacher offer participation points? Don’t just focus on doing well on tests. Your grade for a class may be made up of a few categories, including how you participate and engage with the material during class time; so strive to do well throughout the course.
Work on Your Time Management Skills & Optimize Your Study Time
We all have the same amount of time in the day – but the way you use that time can make a big difference in your GPA. Let’s take a look at some ways to improve your study time:
- Ask your teachers: it’s wise to talk with your teachers about how much time you need to factor in for studying after school for each class. They may be kind enough to let you know about a particularly difficult section in advance so that you can prepare yourself for it. It might be wise to record the class if you think you’ll benefit from hearing it again at home.
- Redesign your study method: At times, you may feel like you studied a lot when you had actually studied very little or you studied with a lot of distractions. Try to refresh yourself with a light snack and a drink before you begin studying. Go into a quiet room without any distractions and begin to study. Ask someone to let you know when it’s been X-minutes.
- Take breaks: Give yourself a break to play a game, go do physical activity, or take a power nap because – it’s true – our brains all need to rest from time to time. After some time, begin the study process again.
- Keep a study planner: keep a planner or notebook filled with the time that you spend studying and what subjects you studied.
- Consider working with a tutor: there will be classes that you struggle with and times that you do not comprehend what is going on. A tutor may be needed to give you that extra boost of knowledge and confidence that you need after an especially difficult class or before a test.
- Join (or start) a study group: You could also create a study group with others who are trying to score well on tests. See what your school offers as far as extra after school assistance.
Consider Your Class Choices
If you are striving to get into college, you may consider enrolling in the Advanced Placement program starting your junior year of high school. It could be that your high school GPA will be higher than average if you are able to complete AP classes with an A. Colleges will also look for prospective students who are challenging themselves academically and handling the load well.
By applying yourself to your lessons and taking responsibility for your time management at school and after school you can earn the passing grades needed in order to reach your potential. Remember that while grades are important, there is still a lot to you that grades don’t reflect. Try to have a good attitude, treat others with kindness, and get the rest that you need.
Chelsea Nugent