Science Survival Tips & How to Improve Your Grade

SCIENCE SURVIVAL TIPS

This page lists strategies you can use in almost any class. At the bottom of the "survival" strategies, you will also find a section called "How Can I Improve My Grade?" This section lists helpful tips for improving your grade.

Also, check out this list of very specific study strategies for suggestions based on learning style.

1. Do your homework the day it is assigned (if you wait a day, it's not fresh in your mind and you're more likely to forget to do the work, or forget how to do the work).

   • • • If you are having a tendency toward missing or late assignments, try have your parent initial your assignment book at home once your homework is complete.

       • Be sure to turn your homework in on time.

2. Pay attention in class and take careful/complete notes. (It’s okay to add additional information as you deem necessary, in fact, it’s a good decision!)

3. Ask thoughtful questions in class. Try to avoid hypotheticals or questions that may get the class off topic.

4. Regularly review your class notes and the related readings/activities/labs and make sure you understand everything in the section.

5. Ask for help in class or during advisory, to discuss things that you do not understand (including homework clarification, so you can make sure to get full credit on your homework assignments, or reviewing tests or quizzes together).

6. Check my MCMS teacher website and google classroom regularly for homework assignments, study guides, and other important information.

7. Use the study guide, re-read the online textbook, and make sure you know all of the vocabulary key terms. While students are not always expected to make vocabulary cards for EVERY single key term, they are expected to know all the vocabulary. Do what you need to do to be prepared for tests and quizzes. Quizzes are based almost entirely on smaller chunks of concepts (one or two lessons at a time). If you read closely, look at notes/diagrams, and make sure you know the vocabulary, you will do better on all assessments.

8. Study in advance for tests or quizzes! Don’t wait until a few days before to start studying. This way if you have any questions or need clarification, you will have time to come into me for help.

   • You can make flash cards of each question/term on the study guide and have a parent/sibling/friend (or yourself) quiz you.

   • Break it down into chunks- first make cards for everything you know. Then, each day, make 5-10 more flash cards. After the first couple days you should know what you are already confident in and what you need to focus on studying more, as well as having specific questions that you aren't sure of that you can come in to ask me about.

   • You should ask me questions before the day of the test so I can help you and you'll have enough time to study what I've clarified.

9. Stay on top of things if you are absent (or know that you will be). I will not seek you out to make sure you have all of your notes and that your late work is in. It is your responsibility to contact me.

How to contact me:

• • First check the website/google classroom. Then email letting me know you’re out, in which case I will do my best to send you any additional information on what you missed and homework assignments you can complete at home. Checking in with a friend from class is a good way to get missed notes and additional info.

  • Check google classroom (whether it’s a science day or not) and find out what you missed, then check in with me as needed. That way you won’t fall too far behind, or will be on track for the next class. My lessons tend to build on each other, so if you’re missing notes or activities from one period, you might not understand what’s going on in the next class.