<p>That's unfortunate =[</p>
<p>There are a lot of people at college with that issue. I really think it is best to try to wean oneself off caffeine.</p>
<p>Um.</p>
<p>I have straight A's at a private college prep school, even in my AP classes. Basically I wait until the very last minute to do everything. I start homework maybe around 1 or 3 in the morning after sleeping pretty much the whole night. I do my homework during other classes, during break or lunch.</p>
<p>I really don't know how I do it. Hah. Probably doesn't help you at all.</p>
<p>I dont. Lol. Come to think of it, I'm around a straight D student right now.
Ahh the fool I am, the fool I am... Yay for Procrastination!!! XD</p>
<p>I agree with never doing HW past a certain point. Part of it is getting a lot done in class.
Also, imo, its partly just what you're born with. Yeah I know, the whole nature vs nurture argument, but here's my take:
Sure, a minivan CAN pass a mustang. It's just not easy and doesn't happen real often.</p>
<p>Since I go to a Self-Directed High School and we choose each class we go to each day, time managements is a big part of our lives. If we do not hand in our units by the target date it can push us to fall behind so we have to keep up with the target date and try to get good grades. So usually I make sure each morning I eat a good breakfast and that I do not sleep past 12:30. I say 12:30 because I'm talking to my best friend for like an hour starting at 11:30 or so (I know I should be sleeping). But always listen in class, always ask questions, and get organized! Being organized helps a person so much!
In my agenda I always write down the days that I'm going to work on a certain subject. For example, Wednesday I'm going to work on Philosophy unit 2 and on Friday I'm going to work on Math.
I was involved in sports back in my freshman year but then I realized I'd rather stay after school for club meetings and rehearsals for the school play instead of constantly doing suicides in the gym. I always take advantage of the time I have in school especially on the days I have a meeting or rehearsal after school because I know by the time we're done I have only 5-6 hours of homework time on my hands. Alaways take advantage of your time and be focused on the material being taught to you. Make notes on most of your subjects and even though you are not required to take notes, do it anyway! You might be able to use the notes to help you on essays, problems, etc. Make sure you get a lot of sleep, wake up early, and always try to learn more about your subjects!</p>
<p>Self-Directed High Schools? never heard of those before...damn, you get to sleep in and all. wow...I would abuse that kind of freedom.</p>
<p>There are really only three general you need to do to get straight A's, even if you are at a competitive school w/ honors & AP classes.</p>
<ol>
<li>Pay attention in class.</li>
<li>Complete all work; study for tests no more than you have to (otherwise you will forget all kinds of junk).</li>
<li>Avoid stress. Stress can cause sleep deprivation and often reduces the quality of work. Generally, a person who has studied enough to ace a test and comes in loose will outperform a person who is practically hyperventilating over the test and has studied in the neighborhood of five hours the night before. Conveniently, paying attention in class and doing all of the work and reading tend to reduce the necessity to study excessively anyhow.</li>
</ol>
<p>Of course, an amount of aptitude is necessary for getting straight A's anyhow... don't count on anyone to guarantee results, even if they're a teacher or an expensive tutor. (Or a professional college admissions consultant)</p>
<p>Best of all, following this plan leaves time in your schedule to be a happy, well-rounded human being. Colleges like that. ;)</p>
<p>2 words: time management.</p>
<p>Time management doesn't get you straight A's with tons of activities on your resume, having no or near no life outside of these events and school does.</p>
<p>That is, unless these A's are very easy to obtain and/or these activities aren't time consuming.</p>
<p>I wouldn't agree with you gstein. I have straight As (4 APs of 6 classes this year, took 5 last year), I work 20 hours a week, I do gymnastics competitively, I head one club, I'm vp of another, and committee co-chair on a third, as well as doing several other clubs at school, plus I've almost finished my college apps AND I have a boyfriend (who doesn't even go to my school, so it's not like one of those "at school relationships") and several good friends that I hang out with and go to the movies or go shopping with and such.</p>
<p>The As are not easy to obtain. The activities are time consuming. I still have a life, obviously.</p>
<p>Well then, tape my mouth shut and call you superwoman. You are obviously headed towards success.</p>
<p>Haha, unlike most...time management is a word extremely distanced from my life until this year, when it because absolutely necessary. </p>
<p>Junior year I had 5 AP classes. (Art Hist, Calc AB, Eng Lang, Chem, US Hist...and Physics Hon). I generally had about 2-4 hours of hw depending on if I had US Hist. Monday's I had Quizbowl until 6 or 7, once a month I had NHS meetings on Tuesday, and I did Mu Alpha Theta tutoring for an hour every Thursday. I also tutored for $ about 1-3 hours a wk. On the weekends I had church and sang with my youth group. I only had about 1-2 weeks where I was seriously going to lose my mind because of the stress. Second semester I had( and still have) a b/f and we talked basically every night from 8-10ish...And I tried to have everything done by then. </p>
<p>This year is way crazier. I have 7 APs in school (Stats, Eng, Physics C, US Gov't, Macro Econ, Calc BC, World History) and two outside of schoool, completely on my own (Comp Govt and Microecon). I typically have 3-5 hours of homework depending on how much the teachers give me. Mondays I have Quizbowl, I have NHS meetings nearly every Tues since I'm on Exec Council, Mu Alpha Theta tutoring like last year, Wednesday I now have practice for singing with my youth group. Then on weekends I still have church and youth and singing. I also tutor for $ for at least 2 hours a week. </p>
<p>Times I get home;
Monday- btwn 4-7
Tuesday-5
Wed-4
Thursday-5
Friday-3</p>
<p>I generally work on homework straight until 8 or 9 when my b/f calls and we talk until I go to sleep. </p>
<p>The key for me is working ahead. For my Gov't, World Hist and English classes I normally know my homework schedule in advance so I try to concentrate on one subject a night and do the work for the next week or so, that way I have more free time. We are 7 weeks into school here, and it's been working really well so far. I also try to finish all my homework on Friday so i have a relaxing weekend. </p>
<p>In school, I go into every class trying to do the best I can that day. That way, I always know I am giving my best. And if my best is a B, so be it. that's the only way to maintain sanity with a tough schedule, and eventually it pays off.</p>
<p>Nice post LifeUnfolding, and welcome to CC! Working ahead is a great tip, unfortunately, our teachers dont give us a schedule for assignments :(. </p>
<p>@gstein... then can you possibly explain those who get into Harvard? :( I'd be surprised if someone got accepted there with minimum activities or mediocre grades..</p>
<p>I agree with the time management thing, but somehow it's very hard for me. Many of my homework requires reading, like Physics or Econ. I found that by the time I finish reading and the questions about that subject, I get tired or run out of time for other subjects. I'm also get distracted easily too.
So what do you say is the ideal time to go to sleep? nowadays I'm sleep derived, may be that's why I can't concentrate in class. would you go to sleep even when your hw is not done?</p>
<p>yeah i go to sleep even if my homework isnt done. for me, its easier to get up earlier to finish it than to stay up later to finish it.</p>
<p>my ideal time to go to bed would be about 1030, but that doesnt happen very often. i usually go to bed at 11-1130.</p>
<p>To the OP, try cutting down on AIM and TV, and use that time to study - you'll see an instant boost in your grades.</p>
<p>btw gstein, I am a state recognized pianist, editor in chief of my school's newspaper, secretary of its NHS chapter, captain of the quiz bowl team, and vp of french honor society. i am also a junior olympic gold medalist in table tennis. i also hold a part time job and do community service at chinese school.</p>
<p>Time management doesn't mean you don't have a life. I am living proof.</p>
<p>luck. luck is huge. teacher selection plays a huge part in it; for example most of the history teachers at my school teach it AP style where there's basically no homework or quizzes so you study for the big tests. now, im naturally good at history so then i never have to worry about that class.</p>
<p>So straight-A students, here's a scenario: It's 11:45 pm, and you just finished about 3/4ths of your homework (you came back very late from sports practice or something). You have a Chemistry AP quiz tomorrow, and your grade is borderline. And your quiz will affect the AP Chemistry grade that shows up on your report card. What do you do? Stay up late trying to study the material, or sleep and hope for the best?</p>
<p>study lol.</p>
<p>11:45? Depends. I would study in bed for a few minutes, then definitely get to sleep a few minutes before 12. Major studying gets done in the car and before the quiz at school. AP Chem is really just understanding processes and memorizing concepts so it's not tough to study in the car or on the day of the quiz.</p>