How to end the First Quarter on a High Note

How to End the First Quarter on a High Note

By Feature Editor, Amaya Kohli (class of 2028)

As the first quarter of the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, several students are facing the last chance to turn their grades around. For many students, this time of year brings extra stress; college application season is beginning, homecoming has just passed, and fall sports are well underway. All of this is occurring while the pressure to get good grades remains. However, with a few helpful tips, the end of the quarter can also mean a fresh start, redemption, and setting oneself up for success next quarter.

1. Prioritize your weakest classes first

Focus on the classes that you are struggling with the most, and the ones that you know you can bring up. While you should always strive for the best, turning something like a C into a B has a more drastic effect on your GPA than an A- into an A.

2. Communicate with your teachers

When trying to improve your grade in a class, advocate for yourself and talk to your teacher about potentially meeting during Knight Time or after school. Teachers are there to help you, and they want you to succeed in class. Even asking a simple, “What can I do to bring my grade up?” can go a long way. 

3. Get a planner

It’s never too late in the school year to organize yourself. Buy a planner if you don’t already have one. The O’Connell student planner is a great way to keep track of upcoming DJO events. You can pick one up at the student life office if you lost yours, sign up for an online planner on Structured or personalplanner.com, or create your own with Canva or Notion. If that’s too much for you, go for something simpler like the Reminders or Calendar app on your phone.

4. Organize yourself

Organization and order are key to productivity and success. It only takes a few minutes to clean out your notebooks, folders, and binders once a week. This will help you keep track of your assignments and homework, and help you to always know where things are.

5. Get a good night’s sleep

Even if you have a ton of homework and assignments that you need to catch up on, or a big test coming up, try your hardest to avoid pulling an all-nighter. Studies from places like Harvard Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that memory, problem-solving skills, and ability to focus are improved in teens who get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep directly correlates to lower GPAs and higher levels of stress, as well as health issues, delayed reaction time, and greater struggle to focus and retain information.

6. Take care of yourself

Nutrition is just as crucial to your well-being as sleep is. When you aren’t properly hydrated or nourished, your energy levels will decrease dramatically and you may find yourself performing poorly as well as feeling ill. Eating snacks, good meals, and drinking enough water are simple things you can do while studying that will boost your mood and help you keep up the good work.

7. Reflect and grow

As deadlines approach and gradebooks close, remember that while there’s always room for improvement. It is essential to celebrate your successes and be proud of yourself throughout this school year, and congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come.