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BUT in the end, natural ability can only take a person so far. At some point, you've got to put in the effort in order to succeed.
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</p>
<p>I'd say the converse that hard work can only take you so far without natural ability is also true. When you get to the top/more difficult levels, you're going to need both natural ability and a good work ethic in order to succeed, unless you're one of the extremely rare minority of supergeniuses/supertalented.</p>
<p>Michael Phelps wouldn't have been in the Olympics unless he was both genetically-blessed with traits that help in swimming and willing to put in a lot of effort training for swim meets. Then again, there was some Japanese Olympic female breaststroker who was only 5'5 (short for the swimming world) and I believe she medaled, so you shouldn't underestimate or overestimate the value of hard work and of innate ability.</p>
<p>Haha. I do all my homework between 8:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Wake up at 6:45 AM. Go to school until about 3:30 PM. Sleep as soon as I get home from school. And do all homework/essays/projects either the day before or the day they're due. And I have all AP/honors classes. I also take care of my club responsibilities at the very last minute, literally.</p>
<p>Procrastination does wonders for me; I'm ranked number 1 in my class. </p>
<p>But it's not the best way...obviously. I stress out way too much.</p>
<p>I don't know...it seems like this year, i'm slacking off much more compared to last year and freshman year, but I'm getting the best marks of my life! ROFL, i find it so ironic...Hopefully, next year, even with the 7 ap's, i'll still do the same.</p>
<p>-Always sit in the front of the class, or ask to be moved there. Makes a world of difference.
-Always do assigned reading assignments. Chances are, nobody else does except for the straight A students.
-Find something that interests you in relation to the class, and you’ll want to learn more, and your grades will go up: If its an English class, read some other works by authors you might be studying, you’d be surprised what exists outside the classroom. If it’s Math, see how the concept you’re studying applies to science or business. It makes school so much better, and less of a bore, when you’re interested in the subject matter.
-Pay attention in class. Be serious when you have to be serious, funny and relaxed when you have to be funny and relaxed.
-Sleep, even if you won’t finish your nightly homework; You’ll be productive enough the next day to think of a good excuse =P</p>
<p>Time management and the desire to do well (and learn) is crucial.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Always do your homework, and do it any chance you get. I have a 50 minute lunch period and I often do homework (or any studying) that I’ve already been assigned so far that day. When I get home, I relax for a short bit, sometimes take a nap, and then complete my homework.</p></li>
<li><p>Sit in a comfortable area of the classroom where you can maintain eye contact with the teacher and the board/screen at all times.
Pay attention in class. Don’t miss a beat. And don’t be afraid to ask questions when you have them!</p></li>
<li><p>TAKE NOTES in class. Although sometimes the teacher will tell you that it isn’t necessary to write them, you should. It helps you to learn it better.</p></li>
<li><p>Review your notes every day when you get home. Always stay on top of the last thing you’ve learned.</p></li>
<li><p>Review/study just before going to bed. All throughout the day, your thoughts are stored in short-term memory; they are then converted to long-term memory in your sleep. By reviewing JUST before going to bed, the content you are studying is fresh and will embed in your mind much more easily.</p></li>
<li><p>Sleep is VERY important. I aim for at LEAST 8 hours per night… 9-10 is optimal. If you take a nap when you get home, keep it brief (only 30 minutes to an hour). Otherwise you will screw up your sleeping pattern.</p></li>
<li><p>Eat breakfast. You have all heard how this improves test-taking skills as well as general focus abilities. It’s true. I have never missed breakfast in my life. (Obviously, ensure you are eating a healthy breakfast. Also, many school systems offer free breakfast through their lunch program.)</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t cram (studying only the night before or immediately before a test) or stress out. Stay calm and cool and you’ll thank yourself.</p></li>
<li><p>Develop and determine your best ways to study. When memorizing content, develop acronyms and sayings – they really help and can be used in many subjects (even math!). Most things take practice (namely math and writing as well as reading comprehension). Take the advice you will never cease to hear and “practice, practice, practice!”.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>People do consider many straight-A students ‘nerds’. But by high school, they are mature enough to understand that we are in school to learn (as opposed to goofing off, making friends and becoming the most popular kid on the block) and succeed in our lives. They totally respect it.
We’re just two different types of people.</p>
<p>^^It depends. I’ve never been called/considered a “nerd” in my entire life … probably because I’m a straight-A student but I’m also involved in a lot of non-academic activities in my school and studying doesn’t consume my life.</p>
<p>I take pride in playing the game of school well.
And that’s how I get straight A’s. “Collaboration.”
That, and cramming. Screw long-term studying.</p>
<p>“* Review/study just before going to bed. All throughout the day, your thoughts are stored in short-term memory; they are then converted to long-term memory in your sleep. By reviewing JUST before going to bed, the content you are studying is fresh and will embed in your mind much more easily.”</p>
<p>I have a question, does anyone who reccomends getting lots of sleep each day allow for 1.5 hr naps? I find 20 minute naps don’t always work for me.</p>
<p>I take naps all the time, it depends. 1.5 sounds fine IMO.</p>
<p>And uh, my school isn’t that difficult, so really, paying attention + doing your hw + maybe studying occasionally (which I never did all three this year, which is why I didn’t get straight A’s this year…but anyways) is enough for straight A’s (maybe a couple B’s).</p>