Getting straight A's isn't as impossible as you may think. You don't have to look strange and you don't have to give up your social life. Some of your classes aren't so easy and your time— filled with sports, clubs, friends, chores and maybe even a part-time job—doesn't exactly allow for around-the-clock studying. However, just follow these six easy steps to success and we think you'll be surprised at the results on your next report card.
Pay Attention
The single most important practice to use, when hoping to achieve wonderful grades, is listening. It may sound overly simple, like breathing or walking, but trust us, it works. Only attending class is not enough. You must clear your mind and pay attention to what the teacher is discussing for the entire length of the class. Don't talk with your friends or pass notes. Don't do your homework that's due1 next period. Paying attention to only what the teacher is saying and writing on the blackboard allows your mind a chance to take the information. Remember, it's not just hearing, it's learning and remembering. Think of when your best friend is telling you something important. Are you humming2 a tune, or do you sit and really listen to what they have to say?
Take Notes
Taking notes in class is important, but if not done correctly, it's more harmful than helpful. Ever notice that people who sit and write down every single thing the teacher says usually don't get the highest grades in class? It's more important to listen. Write down a few key points in the discussion. Make a few notes to yourself or perhaps ask the teacher about after class.
Keep Up
Studying for a test is important enough. Don't make it more so by leaving behind required reading for the night before the test. Do your best to keep up with reading assignments so that when the time comes to study, you just have to take a look and stress on the most important parts to refresh your memory. You should never be first learning something the night before a test. If you should miss school because of illness, make sure a friend gets you the assignments. If you find yourself unable to keep up out of special reasons, talk to the teacher right away. Don't wait until it's too late!
See the Forest for the Trees
One big mistake that a lot of students make is paying attention just to details. Trying to recall specific dates when you're not sure of a general series of events is hard-working. Make a timetable to familiarize yourself with the study. If there's a lot of information to take, try summarizing3 it in an outline4. This theory especially holds true in math and other scientific courses. If you're studying out of a text book, read the introduction paragraph and the summary paragraph at the end first, then read it through and re-read the summary. This helps keep it all reasonably.
Get Organized
In every class there's one who has a lot of loose papers and can never find anything or remember when an assignment's5 due. Typically, the student gets C's at best. Keep your papers for each class organized in separate folders6 or binders7. Keep track of all your assignment due dates in one date book. Always plan ahead. Every time you write an assignment into your little book, try to imagine how long it will take you to complete. Keep in mind what other things you have coming up before it's due, like other assignments and personal engagements. Sometimes it may be necessary to complete an assignment a week before it's due just so you don't feel nervous when you realize you have a test the same day and a birthday party the night before.
Talk about It
The next time you have a big test, after you've done studying, leave time to talk it over with a classmate or two. It's a good opportunity to double check things you're not sure of, but more importantly it will keep everything fresh in your mind. Just hearing yourself explain a concept will help you understand it better. Talking out loud about a moment in history or a book theme will help strengthen it in your memory. This is also a great way to make friends or even get to know a smart guy better. You can even make it fun, by having a few classmates come over and putting out snacks. When your group meeting is over, you can all celebrate by dancing around the living room.
得全A并不是你所想像的那样遥不可及。你不必让人觉得怪怪的，也不必放弃你的社交活动。你的某些课程并不容易，而你的时间——早已被运动、娱乐、交友以及其他琐事填得满满的，而且还有可能会去做个兼职——这也的确不允许你没日没夜地学习。然而，你只要照着以下六条简洁的成功之道去做，我们相信你就一定会觉得下一张成绩报告单上的成绩（好得）难以置信。
注意听讲
如果希望取得好的成绩，一个最重要的方法就是认真听讲。也许听起来太简单了，但请相信我们，这方法十分奏效。光去上课是不够的。你必须理清思绪，专注地听老师在整堂课上所探讨的内容。千万别跟朋友聊天，或是传纸条。也不要赶着做下节课要交的作业。集中注意力听老师说的话，看老师在黑板上写的字——这会使你的头脑充分吸收这些信息。请记住，不仅仅是听，更要学习和记忆。想想你最好的朋友告诉你重要事情时的情景。你是哼着歌，还是正襟危坐、认认真真地去听他们的讲话呢？
记笔记
在课堂上记笔记是很重要的，可如果做得不对，就会有害而无益。你是否发现那些坐在那里、把老师讲的每一个细节都记下来的人往往不是班上成绩最好的？听讲更为重要。只记讨论的几个重点就可以了。按照自己的方式做少量笔记，或许还可以在课后问问老师。
持之以恒
为应付考试而学习当然也十分重要。到考试的头一天晚上如果仅仅为了考试，该读的书都没有读，那就太过分了。你应该尽量做到把该读的书坚持读完，这样到了该学习的时候，你只需随便看看，着重留意那些重要的部分，重新激活一下你的记忆就可以了。你千万不要在考试的头一天晚上才初次接触考试内容。如果你因病没去上课，你一定要叫一个朋友把作业给你带回去。如果你发现自己由于特殊原因不能坚持下去的话，就务必立即跟老师谈谈。别等到来不及的时候后悔不已！
以全局观照细节
只注重细节是许多学生都会犯的一个大错误。如果对一连串的事不甚明了却想回忆起某个特定的日期，那是很伤脑筋的。给自己列个活动时间表，使你对学习的各个方面了如指掌。如果有很多信息需要吸收的话，不妨把它们归纳一下，列出一份提纲。这种做法对数学和其他理科课程尤为有效。如果你学习书本以外的东西，就应该先读读引言和最后的总结段落，然后再通读一遍，最后再重新读一下总结。这有助于你一五一十地记住所有的东西。
有条不紊
每个班上都有这样的学生：他们手里拿着一大摞零散的纸张，却总也找不到想要的资料，也总记不起该交的作业。这一类学生充其量只能拿个C。你应该把每堂课要用的东西整理好，分门别类放在文件夹或活页夹里。把你所有要交的作业都记录在一个日程计划本上。总是提前做好计划。每当你将一次作业记录到你的小本子上时，就要想想你会花多长时间来完成它。再想想还有什么其他的事情该赶着做完，比如别的作业以及私事之类的。有时你可能还有必要提前一个星期完成作业，这样当你意识到某一天得参加一门考试，而头天晚上又得去赴生日晚会的时候，就不会感到不知所措了。
时常探讨
下次你有大考的时候，复习完了之后，可以留点时间跟一两个同学一起探讨探讨。这对于重新检查你不是很吃透了考试内容是个很好的机会，而更重要的是，它会使你对所有的东西记忆犹新。只是听听你自己对某一个概念的解释就有助于你更好地理解。大声讨论某个历史时刻或一本书的中心思想也有助于加强你的记忆。这也是一个结交朋友的很好的方法，甚至还可以籍此更加了解某个聪明的家伙。你还可以把这个活动变得更有意思一些——把几个同学召到一起，拿出些零食来一起享受。在你们的小组会议结束以后，就可以在客厅里跳舞庆祝了。
1. due adj． 到期的
2． hum v． 嗡嗡叫，哼
3． summarize v．总结
4． outline n．要点，提纲
5． assignment n．作业
6． folder n． 文件夹
7． binder n． 活页夹