Extra credit- the opportunity to do extra work to improve your grade
Not everyone gets the opportunity to do extra credit, so when and if your teacher gives you that opportunity, TAKE ADVANTAGE AND DO IT!
Yes, you have to put in a little more effort and do more work, but why not take the opportunity to get a better grade in a class? Regardless of if you need it or not, if you’re failing or have an A+, extra points will not hurt anyone. You can’t lose points for doing extra credit, so why not try?
Check out Mrs. Gold’s website for many fun and creative ideas you can use to get extra credit!
So basically, DO ALL THE EXTRA CREDIT YOU CAN!
Click here to check out another one of my blogs about how to avoid being a “teacher’s pet”
Forming relationships with your teachers is one thing, but kissing their butts is going too far!
This school year make sure you avoid being “that student” with these simple don’ts:
Don’t : It’s one thing to spend your study hall or have lunch with your teacher occasionally, but remember they are your teacher, not your best friend. They need their alone time and don’t want to be with their students 24/7. They might view it as annoying if you overdo it.
Don’t: Don’t always sit in the front of class. Toward the front or even in the middle of class can give you just as good of a view, without getting weird looks and judgments from your classmates
Don’t: Try too hard. Do your best, but do not try too hard. Don’t over participate. It gets annoying and can be a turn off to your teacher and classmates
Don’t: Don’t be a grade grubber. Don’t try to get your teacher to give you extra points. You will get the grade you deserve, and it could be even better if you don’t bother your teacher about it.
Remember to stay on your teachers good side because they are the ones who give you your final grade, but don’t over do it!
Click here to check out another one of my blogs about group projects.
Check out this fun show about Ned and his friends as they try to conquer junior high. Talking about different survival methods in each episode, Ned covers the basics and more in a fun way of what you will need to know for school!
Watch the short clip below. If it interests you or your kids (which I’m sure it will), buy the seasons on DVD so you can always have the survival guides for yourself and to share with friends!
There always comes a time in the school year when you are assigned a group project. Some shout “YAY!” while others moan “NAY!” Here’s how to deal with the fun or not so fun situation: know each member of the group and their personality and deal the group work accordingly.
The quiet one – There will always be a person who is shy and quiet. Assign them work that they can do mostly on their own, like research.
The bossy one – There will always be a person who feels obligated to be the leader. Let them take charge, because they most likely won’t let anyone else do it. If that is what they are good at, you might as well let that affect your group project positively.
The creative one -There will always be an artsy or creative person. Let them share their ideas and assemble the project. Include a fun and creative way to present you data or just include hand-drawn pictures. Appearance is always a plus.
The nerd -There will always be a smart person in the group. Take advantage of that and incorporate all of their knowledge into the project.
The slacker -There will always be that one person who does not care. Although this person may seem to have the potential to weigh the group down, they don’t have to if they have a specific assigned job that they are responsible for. Make sure you stay on top of them to get their work done.
Hopefully this trick helps! Good luck with your group work!
Click here to check out another one of my blogs about how to stress less!
You just finished all your homework and now it’s time to study for your test tomorrow, but where do you plan on studying? This decision could effect the grade you get on your test.
Preferred study environments are different for everyone. Check out the pros and cons of some study spaces below and choose the right study space for you!
Your Bedroom
The Library
Friend’s Room
Where will you choose?
Check out what Kelly Roell’s has to say for more information and more places to study here!
Click here to check out another one of my blogs about how to stress less, even when you have to study.
Have you ever seen the movie Mean Girls? If so, you know exactly why I am bringing it up. If you have not seen it, watch this short clip…
As you can see from this movie clip, the movie Mean Girls is exactly what it sounds like. It is a group of girls who are very mean to other people, even to the girls who they call their friends!
Unfortunately, there are “mean girls” everywhere. Bullying has become a big problem in schools. According to Bullying Statistics, 1 out of 4 kids are bullied and 1 in 5 students admit to being a bully, or doing some type of bullying.
What will you do this school year to help stop bullying?
If you ARE BULLIED, please ask for help. There are so many people- friends, teachers, family, parents- who want to help. Don’t be embarrassed. Nobody deserves to be bullied. Get the help and support you need from the people around you who care about and love you.
If you ARE A BULLY, stop. Think about somebody close to you, like a younger sibling or a cousin. How would you like it if somebody was treating them in the way you are treating others? It is not right. Put yourself in your victim’s shoes. Nobody deserves to be bullied and you wouldn’t like to be treated that way.
If you ARE A BYSTANDER, do not wait around for someone else to stop bulling. Stand up for a victim or tell someone about it. Make a change. Be a leader. Do something about it. Help put an end to bullying.
Back to School Clothes Shopping
Everyone knows that your first day of school outfit is the most important outfit of the year, but what if you could have an amazing outfit for every day? Check out these videos for affordable back to school clothes shopping!
As a student or a parents, these and many more stressors are apart of your everyday life. Try not to get too overwhelmed. Make sure you relax and follow these simple tips.
School
As much as school is about learning and getting a good education, loosen up a little bit. School doesn’t always have to be so stressful.
Enjoy lunch, recess, and study halls
Chat with friends in between classes
Form friendly relationships with your teachers, professors, and the school staff
Make school a place where you look forward to going to everyday. Yes, the classroom and learning material itself may be stressful at times , but don’t let that take over your school.
Tests
Have you ever heard someone say they are looking forward to a test? Probably not. Tests are HUGE stressors in a student’s life- always trying to get a great score. Remember:
The point of a test is to see how well you know the information taught in class
Test scores are just a number
Knowing the material is more important ( although it may not seem like it at the time ) than the test score itself
Research
Research is mostly used in high school and college. As a freshman in college, I am being introduced to new ways and form of doing research. I can tell already that research is a big part of college life.
When it comes to research, there are sooooo many resources available. Choose the one that is right for your research, not just because its the first option on google
ALWAYS site your research. Plagarism is not tolerated and there are always severe consequences if you do so.
Sighting Research Motto: It is better to over-site than under-site, but DO IT RIGHT!
Extracurricular Activities
Emphasis on EXTRAcurricular. It is always good to get involved in school, but when doing something extra is causing a lot of stress, relax.
Remember that extracurriculars are for fun
They should not be causing stress, but a time to decrease stress and enjoy
Studying
How does one expect to do well on a test? Study! But studying does not mean you have to spend hours in the library, stressing yourself out. Study in a way that is best for you-
Alone- just you and your course material
In study groups with other students
With the help of your parents
With music or the TV on (yes, as crazy as it sounds) to relax you while you study
Study snacks
Always remember, there is not one way to study, so do what works best for you. As a college student, I have learned that coffee and late night studying snacks are my new best friend. I would recommend treating yourself to a study buddy (cookies are always delicious) to take some stress away from your studying.
Social Life
Yes, we primarily go to school for an education, but hey, who says we can’t have fun?! However, don’t let that fun get in the way and become stressful
Have priorities- although a friend might be having people over on a Sunday night, that is not a good excuse for not studying for your test on Monday morning
Don’t let friend drama interfere with your school
Make sure your social life is one thing, and school and your education is another
S.T.R.E.S.S.
Stress in life is never going to be fully avoided, but being able to manage stress and decrease it where that is possible will make the school year a much better experience, for parents and students
Click here to check out another one of my blogs about another way to relieve stress, SLEEP!
Tayler's Tutoring Tactics 