With second semester now well under way and many classes once again falling into a rhythm of classwork, homework and tests, many students are trying hard to start the new semester off well. For some students, however, the new semester also represents an opportunity to be more productive and successful in certain classes than last semester.
Though she was fairly successful last semester, senior Abby Decker said she still struggled at times with staying organized and being productive. Most often, she said, her biggest problems were with keeping track of math assignments and making sure she planned ahead and left time to ask a teacher questions about any problems she couldn’t understand on her own.
“[I want to] get all my math homework done before it’s actually due. I started out well at the beginning of last semester, but it slowly went downhill,” Decker said. “That way if I don’t understand something, I can go in earlier instead of the day before it’s due and [the teacher] can help me understand what I’m missing or not getting. I’m really terrible about math, so it’s a big one for me.”
Decker isn’t the only one who found it difficult to keep up with homework assignments last semester. Junior Ben Rouder said he simply plans to try to be more consistent in completing his homework assignments this semester, though he also believes organization will play an important part in meeting that goal.
“[I want] to be more organized and do homework,” Rouder said. “It seems simple, but … that’s a great way to study, to feel compelled to do homework. The mindset of being organized makes you want to try.”
[quote cite=”Ben Rouder”]I wouldn’t define [success in school] as a grade. I would define it as how much you take away from it, whether it be life skills or critical thinking skills. The student that lets school benefit them in the long run and takes advantage of it is the more successful student.[/quote] AP Statistics teacher Amanda Dablemont agrees with Rouder, and said organization is an important skill that some students tend to struggle with, even while others excel at it. She said the best option for those students is to ask their teachers how best to organize themselves for each class and follow their advice.
“I think that a lot of being organized is some crazy innate gene that some have and some don’t,” Dablemont said. “Ask your teachers the best way to stay organized for that class. Each class has a different feel and a different expectation.  Individual teachers will probably be able to recommend the best method for that class.”
In fact, for those students who want to try and be more productive in school this semester, Rouder said he believes being organized is the first step they should take toward improving in school. However, he said, one shouldn’t base their perceived success on school solely on the grades they receive, either.
“I wouldn’t define [success in school] as a grade. I would define it as how much you take away from it, whether it be life skills or critical thinking skills. The student that lets school benefit them in the long run and takes advantage of it is the more successful student,” Rouder said. “In the end, school is meant to prepare you for the future, so if you use school to prepare yourself for your future then the system is good.”
Along with being organized, Decker said she also finds it important to go somewhere she can focus on doing homework and studying without being distracted. Most often, she finds this quiet space in the public library or in her bedroom and away from the distraction of wanting to talk with her friends.
“The library is always a good place to go. Not the school library, but Columbia Regional Library because it’s quiet and you can focus more,” Decker said. “Or … at home, [I will go to my] bedroom and turn on music and do homework there and just sit down and focus.”
As for any other students that may still be struggling with keeping up in school, Dablemont said it is best to seek help from other teachers at Rock Bridge who are able to help you learn a study method that works well for you.
“Rock Bridge is in process of becoming an AVID school. Seek the AVID teachers and its coordinator, Mrs. Holt, for some great ideas. Also, find friends that are ‘successful’ in school and ask them what they do,” Dablemont said. “Minimize distractions, make goals, reward yourself when you reach those goals, [and] find friends that have similar goals and values [in school].”
What skills do you think are important in improving one’s productivity and success in school? Leave a comment below.