"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."

Getting good grades in university and high school can be challenging, but it is not impossible! Good grades can help you get into your dream programs and can help you in gaining academic scholarships. Most importantly, pushing yourself to achieve better grades increases your understanding of complex concepts! While there are many point of views and pathways to improving grades, here's our insight on five ways to improve your grades!

1. Get organized
Organization is key, and not with just school! If you keep organized, you can better manage your time for completing work and have all of your resources readily available.

Some ways you can be organized when managing your time is getting an agenda. This can help you manage all the work that you have to do while keeping in mind out of school events, as well. You can also use the agenda for due dates so that you are managing your time to work efficiently.

Alongside these ideas, three-ring binders are standard for classes and are durable and easy to organize your school work. If you have a desk or station in which you complete most of your work, you should try to keep it as neat as you can - a clean space makes for a better work environment!

2. Attend classes
Missing school when it is not necessary to means that you missed multiple learning opportunities; you've missed key information that could be applicable to future assessments and you've missed homework that you will have to catch up on. This can disrupt your organization and overwhelm you with deadlines! Going to class makes a difference; you will learn better if you are present!

3. Ask questions
Unsure of the material you just learned? Not sure if you're on the right track? Have a question relating to the topic? Want to know more? ASK QUESTIONS! This will only further your understanding and make sure you understand key points.

4. Get a good sleep!
Sleep is important, and it is something that youth is often lacking! Youth need around 10-11 hours of sleep per night! Sadly, the average is much lower. Getting a good sleep can ensure that you're awake and energized for learning. When you have more sleep, you absorb information easier and are more alert in class.

Without a good sleep, you could fall asleep in class that can lead you to miss key information. Without falling asleep, you could be completely "zoned-out" and not hold any new key points in your class lessons.

4. Find your study method
Whether or not you think you know the material well enough, it is always beneficial to study before a big test or exam. However, sometimes study strategies can be difficult and can take a while to find for each person. Below are some popular study methods for you to try out:

• Keep a study schedule
• Use flash cards
• Review material
• Make study notes
• Making mind maps
• Make practice tests
• Study in bits
• Have a study group
• Find practice pages online
• Teaching others
• Writing out the unit information on a white board

5. Work with others
Sometimes, asking others for their opinions and their thought process is beneficial to your learning! You get to learn other's peoples point of views and build off of their ideas. Not only this, working with others gives you an opportunity to ask questions and and clear up any uncertainties you might have.

-Written by Galiya Vendrov, high school student

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