Top Ten Tips for Super Scholars

How is this for a lazy post? This is my handout for YW tonight. Enjoy!

Top Ten Tips for Super Scholars

1. BE BLESSED. Ask your dad, if possible, or another priesthood holder like your home teacher or the bishop to give you a priesthood blessing at the start of each academic year. Talk with them beforehand if you can about your goals and challenges.
2. BANISH THE TV. When you are in school you really do not have time for television, except maybe one favorite program each week and a movie on the weekend. Even then, your assignments must always take priority over your favorite shows.
3. READ. Always have a book going – for fun! This will build your vocabulary and spelling skills and help you become a better writer, not to mention just keeping your brain in great shape. Need suggestions? Ask your fellow Young Women or leaders. There are many readers in the group!
4. BE HONEST. Always do your own work. Avoid the temptations to cheat or plagiarize. When you do these things, you really only cheat yourself. And if you are caught, you risk failing an entire course and having your dishonesty recorded permanently.
5. ENRICH YOUR LIFE. Choose good activities in arts, sports, student government and/or service that will keep your brain active and prepare you for admission to college. But don’t go too far! One or two activities at a time are probably enough to keep you busy without taking away from your academic work.
6. KEEP THE SABBATH. Structure your time to complete your homework for the weekend on Saturday. Always attend all your church meetings and Sunday activities. Spend time with your family. Your brain needs a full day off, and Sunday is the perfect time to focus on other, more spiritual things. Not only will your Sundays be more peaceful and spiritual, you will be more organized and less stressed about school and therefore a better student!
7. STAY ORGANIZED. Keep a calendar or planner to track all your assignments. Break down big assignments like term papers into smaller tasks. Give yourself deadlines for these tasks if your teachers don’t do it for you. That way, you won’t be cramming it in at the last minute. Keep a separate binder for each class, and keep the textbook for that class with that binder.
8. KNOW HOW YOU LEARN. I’m a visual/tactile learner, so I do best when I take lots of notes and review them with a highlighter in my hand, or when I write about the things I am learning. I also like to make flashcards and go over them with a friend. If you are an auditory learner, consider reading your notes into a tape player or a computer microphone. You can play them over to yourself while you exercise or relax.
9. ENLIST HELP. Some of my best memories from high school are of going over flash cards for U.S. History or editing papers for A.P. English with my friend Kelly from my ward. You might also be able to get a younger brother or sister to help you go through your flashcards or listen to you practice your oral presentation. They’ll learn, too!
10. REWARD YOURSELF. When you accomplish a goal like a good grade on a test, an outstanding report card, or even just a focused, productive study session, give yourself a pat on the back. Reward yourself with some time to relax or a small treat.