It is the start of the Second Quarter. If you have not done so yet, it is time to get BUSY! You can still save or improve your grades, but you must start NOW! Watch the Video for motivation then read the following tips, then get BUSY!!

Top 10 Skills for High-School Students

by Clint Page

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, developing the following ten skills
will help you achieve success in school, in your chosen career, and in life.

1. Time Management
You know the deal: There are just 24 hours in
each day. What you do with that time makes all the difference. While high-school
students average 35 hours per week of class time, college students log an
average of 15 to 18 hours per week.

Getting your “free” time under control now will help prepare you for managing
that extra 20 hours a week come freshman year of college — when you’ll need to
study and want to socialize more than ever.

If you don’t already, start using a daily planner. This could be a datebook
you keep in your bag, an online version you maintain at home, or both. It’s easy
to over-schedule or “double-book” if we aren’t careful. Manage your time wisely
and you’ll get the maximum out of each day.

2. Good Study Habits
If you’ve got them, great. If not – well,
there’s still time to develop them. Good study habits include these basics:

• Always be prepared for class, and attend classes regularly. No cutting!
• Complete assignments thoroughly and in a timely manner.
• Review your notes daily rather than cram for tests the night before.
• Set aside quiet time each day for study — even if you don’t have homework
  or a test the next day!

3. The Ability to Set Attainable Goals
It’s important
to set goals, as long as they’re attainable. Setting goals that are unreasonably
high is a set-up — you’ll be doomed to frustration and disappointment.

4. Concentration
Listen to your teacher and stay focused. Be sure
that you understand the lesson. If you don’t understand something, ask
questions! You’ve heard it before, but “the only dumb question is the one
you don’t ask” is absolutely true. If you’ve been paying attention, it
definitely won’t be a dumb question.

5. Good Note-Taking
You can’t possibly write down everything the
teacher says since we talk at a rate of about 225 words per minute. But, you do
need to write down the important material.

Be sure to validate yourself after a test by going back over your notes to
see if your notes contained the answers to questions asked on the test. If not,
you need to ask to see a classmate’s notes or check with the teacher for help on
improving your note-taking.

Studying with a partner is also a good idea, provided that you study and
don’t turn it into a talk-fest (there’s time for that later). Note-taking should
be in a form that’s most helpful to you. If you’re more of a visual person, try
writing notes on different colored index cards. Music can also be a good memory
aid as long as you don’t find it distracting. Re-writing your notes daily is
another strategy. If you really have a problem with note-taking, you might ask
your teacher if you can tape-record daily lessons. Do whatever it takes!

6. Completion of Assignments
Teachers assign homework for a reason.
While it may seem like “busywork” at times, it definitely has a purpose. Put
your homework to good use. Remember, you’ll only get out of it what you put into
it!

7. Review of Daily Notes
Don’t wait until the night before the test
to review your notes. Go over your notes each day while the lecture is still
fresh in your mind. Add any missing pieces. Compare your notes with a
classmate’s notes. This isn’t cheating — it may even be mutually beneficial.
Review your notes each day to reinforce your learning and build towards your
ultimate goal: MASTERY of the subject or skill.

8. Organizational Skills
Keeping yourself organized will save you
valuable time and allow you to do everything you need to do. Remember: “A place
for everything and everything in its place.” Keep all your study materials
(calculator, planner, books, notebooks, laptop, etc.) in one convenient
location.

9. Motivation
You need to be motivated to learn and work hard,
whether or not you like a specific subject or teacher. Self-motivation can be
extremely important when you aren’t particularly excited about a class. If you
must, view it as an obstacle you must overcome. Then, set your mind to it and do
it — no excuses. Success is up to you!

10. Commitment
You’ve started the course, now you need to complete
it. Do the best — and get the most out of it — that you can! Your commitment
will pay off in the end.

Read more on FamilyEducation: http://school.familyeducation.com/skill-builder/college-prep/37653.html#ixzz1djYom2k7