Get classroom confident
Tuesday 12 September 2006
Now that a new term has begun, you might be finding it hard to get motivated or you might be raring to go.
Worrying about finding the time to study, stressing about your lessons and getting het up about homework can all have an effect on your work.
If you need a bit of encouragement to be at your best, here's our guide to getting your classroom worries sorted.
Be prepared
Make sure you go to each class with everything you need. If you're supposed to bring certain books, be sure that you do. Bring a couple of pens in case one runs out and a decent notepad.
This might seem obvious, but if you're heading to a lesson without all the stuff you need, it can stress you out. If you do forget something, talk to the teacher at the very beginning of the lesson and see what can be done; don't wait until halfway through.
Do research
If you know what's coming up in a particular lesson, do a bit of research beforehand. This doesn't mean you're a swot, it just means that you'll know what the teacher is talking about. Even if you only jump online for half an hour or so the night before, you'll be able to take in new info better if you've already read up on it.
Get a few early nights
Getting some sleep will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the next day. If you're falling asleep in lessons, you need to get more rest.
Study in a group
If you find it hard to study or think poring over books is a drag, why not get a group of mates together to do homework? If there's a group of you, you can discuss the subject you're studying and get ideas from each other. If a teacher tells you to work on something alone, though, make sure you do.
If you're asked to do homework, make sure you do it. If you really don't get the chance, make sure you turn up and explain what the problem was to the teacher before the lesson begins. If there's a genuine issue, they'll be happy to help.
Don't be worried about being wrong sometimes
Wouldn't it be great to be right all the time and not make mistakes? Well, no not really. If we were right all the time we'd never learn anything new. It's better to have a go and be wrong than just staying quiet. You've made an effort at least and it shows you're willing to learn. You'd be amazed what you can discover.
Attend and ask
The best way of getting motivated is to actually go to your lessons. Skipping school will just make you fall further behind, so don't let things get that far.
If you need help and are too worried about going to lessons, speak to a teacher as soon as you can. Nobody's going to bite your head off if you ask for help.
Don't stress yourself out unnecessarily; no one will think less of you for admitting you're having difficulties
