Getting straight A s isn t as impossible as you may think. You don t have to look strange and you don t have to give up your social life. Some of your classes aren t so easy and your time --- filled with sports, clubs, friends, chores and maybe even a part-time job --- doesn t exactly allow for around-the-clock studying. However, just follow these six easy steps to success and we think you ll be surprised at the results on your next report card.



Pay Attention

The single most important practice to use, when hoping to achieve wonderful grades, is listening. It may sound overly-simple, like breathing or walking, but trust us, it works. Only attending class is not enough. You must clear your mind and pay attention to what the teacher is discussing for the entire length of the class. Don t talk with your friends or pass notes. Don t do your homework that s due next period. Paying attention to only what the teacher is saying and writing on the blackboard allows your mind a chance to take the information. Remember, it s not just hearing, it s learning and remembering. Think of when your best friend is telling you something important. Are you humming a tune, or do you sit and really listen to what they have to say?



Take Notes

Taking notes in class is important, but if not done correctly, it s more harmful than helpful. Ever notice that people who sit and write down every single thing the teacher says usually don t get the highest grades in class? It s more important to listen. Write down a few key points in the discussion. Make a few notes to yourself or perhaps ask the teacher about after class.



Keep Up

Studying for a test is important enough. Don t make it more so by leaving behind required reading for the night before the test. Do your best to keep up with reading assignments so that when the time comes to study, you just have to take a look and stress on the most important parts to refresh your memory. You should never be first learning something the night before a test. If you should miss school because of illness, make sure a friend gets you the assignments. If you find yourself unable to keep up out of special reasons, talk to the teacher right away. Don t wait until it s too late!



See the Forest for the Trees

One big mistake that a lot of students make is paying attention just to details. Trying to recall specific dates when you re not sure of a general series of events is hard-working. Make a timetable to familiarize yourself with the study. If there s a lot of information to take, try summarizing it in an outline. This theory especially holds true in math and other scientific courses. If you re studying out of a text book, read the introduction paragraph and the summary paragraph at the end first, then read it through and re-read the summary. This helps keep it all reasonably.



Get Organized

In every class there s one who has a lot of loose papers and can never find anything or remember when an assignment s due. Typically, the student gets C s at best. Keep your papers for each class organized in separate folders or binders. Keep track of all your assignment due dates in one date book. Always plan ahead. Every time you write an assignment into your little book, try to imagine how long it will take you to complete. Keep in mind what other things you have coming up before it s due, like other assignments and personal engagements. Sometimes it may be necessary to complete an assignment a week before it s due just so you don t feel nervous when you realize you have a test the same day and a birthday party the night before.



Talk about it

The next time you have a big test, after you re done studying, leave time to talk it over with a classmate or two. It s a good opportunity to double check things you re not sure of, but more importantly it will keep everything fresh in your mind. Just hearing yourself explain a concept will help you understand it better. Talking out loud about a moment in history or a book theme will help strengthen it in your memory. This is also a great way to make friends or even get to know a smart guy better. You can even make it fun, by having a few classmates over and putting out snacks . When your group meeting is over, you can all celebrate by dancing around the living room.



得全A并不是你所想象的那么不可思议。你不必让人觉得怪怪的，也不必放弃你的社会生活。你的有些课程并不容易，而你的时间 --- 早已被运动，娱乐，交友，琐事填得满满的了，而且还有可能会去做个兼职 ---这也的确不允许你没日没夜地学习。然而，你只要照着以下这六条成功的捷径去做，我们就相信你一定会惊讶于你的下一张成绩报告单上的结果的。



注意听讲

当你希望取得好的成绩的时候，一个最重要的方法就是认真听讲。这也许听起来有些过于简单，但请相信我们，这方法十分奏效。光去上课是不够的。你必须理清思绪，专注地听老师在整堂课上所探讨的内容。千万别跟朋友聊天，或是传纸条。也不要赶着做下节课要交的作业。集中注意力听老师说的话，看老师在黑板上写的字会使你的头脑充分吸收这些信息。请记住，不仅仅是听，更要学习和记忆。想想你最好的朋友告诉你重要事情时的情景。你是会哼着歌，还是会正襟危坐，认真地去听他们讲的话呢？
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