5 Steps to Academic Success for Your Students
The
usual situation for your high school students is they leave studying
until the last minute. They cram and get little sleep. In the morning,
they are tired and can’t think properly, and end up doing badly on the
test.
Usually, the problem is life gets in the way. From social activities to a possible part-time job or numerous household chores, an ordinary student has a lot to deal with.
Time
Magazine once published a cover story entitled “Their Eight Secrets of
Success” by Claudia Wallis. It talks about how excellent students and
their parents were able to achieve their goals.
Those
interviewed for the said article thought of an excellent student as
someone who is the head of the class or president of an organization
and enjoys the respect of their classmates and teachers. The
publication interviewed these “excellent students” all over the United
States and came up with some patterns for their success.
Work, work, work.
Half
Puerto Rican, half Ecuadorian Bismarck Jonathan Paliz of New Jersey was
a middle school valedictorian and star of the math and chemistry teams
in their school. While he may have the innate intelligence and talent,
he works and studies real hard, taking pride in both the achievement
and the effort.
Enjoy what you learn.
Another
student from Atlanta once had a seizure that resulted in a 24-hour
coma. But she emerged into someone who debates, ranks in the top 15% of
her class, and is the majorette co-captain and class vice president.
Her foundation for this kind of “can do” attitude? Her mother who
incorporated lessons into everyday life, making it interesting and
enjoyable to learn.
Know what matters.
Excellent
students are not only all about grades. A Boston student named Stephen
George Jr. was interviewed not only because he was popular with a 3.4
average, baseball and track athlete, musician and Big Brother
volunteer, but also because he was the “nicest and most decent guy in
the school.”
Academic competition can get ugly, but grades aren’t everything. Have a passion!
Different
children have different things that interest them, from cars to fashion
to writing to music. So what should a parent do? Indulge them. Going all out to learn about an interest might help develop admirable traits like persistence and leadership.
Find the teacher
Most
excellent students have excellent teachers in their past, those they
remember when they grow old and thank profusely for encouragement and
advice given.
High school students are at a time in their
lives when they discover which subjects they are good at, their
limitations and their passions. But most of the time, it only takes one important teacher to lead the way.
To read the complete article, check out
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989334-1,00.html.
Sources:
Real, Royane. (n.d.) How to Be a Better Student and Improve Your Learning. Retrieved January 9, 2008 from http://www.timetoteach.co.uk/beingagoodstudent.html
Wallis, Claudia. (n.d.) Their Eight Secrets of Success. Retrieved January 10, 2008 from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989334-9,00.html
(Published 14 January 2008, Smart Schools Program)
