WOODBURY- “What did you get on that test?”
A common question everyone asks after grades come out on a quiz. More often than not, students’ answers surprise me. How could they have failed? Sure, the test was hard and required a good amount of studying, but I would assume people would prepare for their optimal performance.
As it turns out, bad grades or test scores are not as uncommon an occurrence among students as you would think. According to Collegeboard, “For the third consecutive year, the average SAT total score declined, down to 1024 for the class of 2024, compared to 1028 for the class of 2023.”
Too many times have I heard someone say that they don’t care about their performance in school. In order to achieve good grades, students must recognize how beneficial paying attention and prioritizing school really is.
English and creative writing teacher Maura White believes there are many reasons students should strive for good grades.
“I know a lot of kids have external motivations, like getting into a good college, or personal achievements like feeling a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction,” White says.
These objectives provide reason to seek proficiency in grades. With a clear motive in your mind, the path to good grades is not hard to follow.
Getting good grades isn’t a matter of how naturally smart you are, but how much effort you put in. Doing simple things like completing your homework, paying attention in class, or studying before a test support your success in school. The more effort and productivity you invest in these components, the more you see the results in your grades.
“Being engaged in class, completing your homework, or finding out a way to study are major components into keeping up your grades,” biology teacher Toby Denman says.
It’s not just the large tests that matter when taking your grade into account, but the little things. Homework is not only assigned for completion, but to help you understand and prepare you for those hard tests. It is a simple, yet very powerful resource that assists in getting good grades.
An article from Duke.edu by Harris Cooper states that “In 35 such studies, about 77 percent find the link between homework and achievement is positive.”
Studying, preparing, and strategizing effectively before a test are of utmost importance.
Students can also seek help with their work through reaching out to teachers.
“Teachers have a role in helping people learn things, and if students don’t take those opportunities, they won’t have much success,” Denman says.
Achieving all A’s or B’s in your classes shouldn’t seem so far out of the picture. Just do the simple stuff to catalyze your success.
