Getting the school year started off right

So now we are in our 4th week of the 05-06 school year. The end of the 1st grading period is over on September 23rd. How are you doing so far? Have you kept the commitment that you made to being successful this year?

Some students have questions about what it takes to be successful in the classroom. Let me tell you that the strategies that successful students use can be duplicated by anyone, including you. They include excellent attendance, attentiveness and participation in the classroom and thorough studying and homework completion.

Attendance is for most of us, totally controllable. While there are times that students or someone in the family gets sick and th student cannot attend. Call for your homework immediately. If you feel well enough to get through the day, do so. Ditching a class should NEVER be a part of what you feel is acceptable. Developing good strong attendance habits are extremely important.

Attentiveness and participation are two aspects of the school day that some students struggle with. "This class is boring" or "I'm too tired to pay attention" are a couple of statements I have heard students make. Making statements such as these will instantly prevent you from maximizing your success in the classroom. One way to engage in the class is by taking notes. Taking notes helps you in 2 obvious ways. You cannot help but pay attention to the teacher when you are note taking and you will have a record of what the teacher finds to be important enough to be on the test. Good note takers can then review their notes and be prepared for that big exam coming up.

Finally, your homework is a vital part of your success. I have heard so many times students say that the reason they received a D or F in a class was because they didn't do the homework. Teachers use the assignments that they give you as a major part of your grade. Each time you fail to turn something in, you receive a ZERO for it. Those that do homework thoroughly report that it usually takes them about an hour to complete it. One hour a night can mean the difference between a B or a D or F in your grade.

Many students start the school year with goals related to their success. Some say they are trying for a 3.0 average, some straight A’s; others just want to pass all their classes. What ever your goals are, the hope of reaching them can quickly vanish if you don't use the proper strategies to achieve them. Please see me (Counselor Lentini) if you need special assistance on improving in one or more of the areas I have discussed. I am at North High School all day Tuesday and Thursday and on Fridays from 7:15 to 11:00. I am at Thomas Jefferson the other days.

A. Lentini