Staying on Track for Success

Reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the school year. Are you meeting your expectations? If you aimed to improve in specific subjects, review your grades and feedback from teachers to gauge your progress.

If you’re falling short, identify obstacles that may be hindering your progress. Perhaps you need to refine your study habits, seek additional help, or adjust your timeline. Conversely, if you’ve already achieved some goals, consider setting new ones to continue challenging yourself.

For example, if your original goal was to improve your math grade from a B to an A, and you've reached a B+, your new milestone could be to achieve an A by the end of the semester by dedicating extra time to practice problem-solving skills.

Whether you prefer a digital calendar, a physical planner, or a combination of both, make sure you’re using a system that helps you keep track of assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities. Color-coding tasks can help differentiate between subjects or types of commitments.

At the start of each week, review your planner to anticipate upcoming deadlines and plan your study sessions. Set specific goals for each day, such as "Complete history reading by Wednesday" or "Finalize math project by Friday."

A cluttered environment can lead to a cluttered mind. Spend a few minutes each day organizing your study area, ensuring that materials are easily accessible and distractions are minimized.

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to seek help. If you’re struggling in a particular subject, approach your teacher or counselor early. They can provide additional resources, or suggest tutoring options.

The University of Kentucky offers academic support services, including writing centers, peer tutoring, and study groups. Take advantage of these resources to reinforce your learning and clarify difficult concepts.

Collaborating with classmates can be highly beneficial—not only can you share knowledge and resources, but explaining concepts to others can also reinforce your own understanding. Consider setting up regular study group meetings to prepare for midterms and finals together. This habit will not only help you succeed in high school but also serve as a valuable tool throughout your college experience.

Start preparing for exams at least two weeks in advance.  Break your study material into sections and allocate time each day to focus on specific topics. For instance, dedicate Monday to reviewing chapters 1-3 of your history textbook and Tuesday to practicing algebra problems.

If available, review past exam papers to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you may encounter. Practice under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment.

Use active recall techniques, such as flashcards, to test your memory. Implement spaced repetition by reviewing material at increasing intervals over time, which helps improve long-term retention.