How to Be a Good Student

the quality of your learning at school, regardless of whether

you are just starting a new school year or need a fresh start in the middle of a semester. When you have a reason to care -- such as a need for good grades, a desire to qualify for a good school or scholarship or a fascination with the subject material -- you can use it to motivate yourself to develop the habits that will make you a good student.

enough to allow a balanced lifestyle of thorough study, sufficient

sleep and regular exercise and recreation. Many people overestimate how much they can get done in a day. If you are overworked, seriously consider dropping an optional club or activity. To overcome fear of disappointing people, remind yourself that a few things done with excellence will be more satisfying than many things left undone.

charting the due dates of every major assignment from every

class in a calendar. Then, work backward to define milestones you need to complete by certain dates. For example, if you have a 10-page research paper due in a month, aim to have a full draft done a week before the due date, 5 pages written by the week before that and an outline the week before that. Treat the milestones like regular assignments to avoid last-minute panic when major deadlines loom.

working on assignments. Alternate 20 to 30 minutes of working

with 5- to 10-minute breaks to keep your mind fresh and alert. Do your best to avoid other activities during your allotted study times; keeping them consistent will begin to build habits and train your brain to move into study mode at certain times and in certain settings.

control. Some ways to do this include checking out extra

books from the library to help you gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, finishing extra-credit assignments, listening to free lectures on the Internet or even offering to assist your teacher as an assistant.