No matter how your school divides its year into semesters, trimesters, quarters, or whatever, the most important time of the year, academically speaking, is the beginning. It’s in every student’s best interest to strive for his or her best grades right from the very first homework or in-class or online assignment. And for several really good reasons…
The beginning of the school year is so exciting on so many levels. First and foremost, socially! A whole bunch of people your age to see everyday in various contexts! Make some informed choices about whom you want to hang out with and when.
And then sports and other organized activities! Teams and clubs and organizations tend to be at their most hopeful and exciting at the beginning of the year. Get involved in something! Maybe even two or three somethings.
And then there’s the actual “school” part of school: academics. Your classes can also be a big part of the back-to-school excitement if you look at it right and set some personal goals to earn your best grades right out the box.
Why It’s Smart to Get Your Best Grades of the Year in September!
Gives you the best chance to actually learn something of value in each given class. Digging in from the very first meeting of each course, specifically with a mind toward demonstrating your efforts on whatever assessments your teacher uses, gives you the best chance of meeting the material at a level that might, in fact, engage you. Being on board with whatever material is presented from the first moment gives you the best shot at enjoying and learning from the whole thing. If you should fall behind in the early going, it’s harder and more painful to play catch up, and then your likelihood of ever finding it interesting or worthwhile to study dwindles rapidly.
Gets your head in the “How am I being assessed for grades in the class?” game earlier rather than later. From a college admissions perspective, your classes are games where you’re measured in grades. You didn’t make the rules, but you have to play by them, and it’s in your best interest to develop game-plan strategies. Bottom line is, how am I being graded in this class and how can I best prepare to earn the best grades I can? GPA is the number one criterion used for admissions at EVERY institution of higher learning. If you’re planning to go to college, you’re in this game whether you want to be or not. SO play it knowingly.
Establishes the best possible relationship with your teacher, who is both half of the teaching-and-learning channel and the person who’s giving you grades throughout the year. The more teachers tend to get in terms of interest and performance right from the start, the more they tend to give in terms of interest and good grades. Teachers notice who the high achievers are right from the first assignments. Be one of those!
Much easier to maintain high grades than to ratchet your way up after a mediocre or worse start. Enough said.
Have a great start to your year in every arena! We’re here to help. 🙂