7th Grade School Work: How to Do Better in School

How Can I Improve My 7th Grade School Work?

Setting Yourself Up for Success at School

It's important to be prepared, organized and focused in the classroom. Always remember to bring the books and supplies you need, like pencils, erasers, paper and rulers. Try to remain focused on the lesson your teacher is giving. A distraction, whether it's daydreaming or passing a note to a friend, can disrupt your ability to learn and affect the people around you.

One of the most useful skills you can have is the ability to take high-quality notes. Try writing the main topic a teacher covers as a heading and then divide pieces of information into subheadings. There's no substitute for well-organized, thorough notes when it comes time to do a homework assignment or study for an exam. If you happen to miss class, ask a reliable classmate if you can borrow her notes and use them to update yourself on whatever you may have missed.

Having the Right Study Environment

At home, it's typically a good idea to have a dedicated space and time for homework and studying. Keep your work space organized and free of clutter. Much like in the classroom, distractions can often prevent you from remaining on task. For this reason, try to study away from noisy devices, like televisions and stereos. Only work near a computer if you need it for homework.

If you have a tendency to save the difficult assignments for last, you might try doing them first to see if that helps you concentrate better. When you study for a test, it's usually best to begin a few days before the actual day of the exam. This way, you give your brain enough time to truly process the information you need to know. This technique is often far less stressful and tiring than cramming the night before.

Getting Extra Help

School can be overwhelming and it may be too difficult to get all the work done on your own. This is common and certainly nothing to worry about. Don't be afraid to talk to a parent, guardian, teacher or school counselor about what your options are. Whether you're having trouble with one particular subject or you're struggling to keep up overall, there are many resources that can potentially help you.

It's possible that a teacher can give you extra help before or after school, or there might be a study group that allows you to work on school work with your peers. There may be local learning centers where you can go for instruction as well. You can meet up with a tutor for one-on-one or group instruction, or seek a tutor online. Using an online tutoring service can be especially useful if you're looking for temporary help with a particular assignment. Websites offering homework help and other academic resources are also plentiful; many of these are available for free.