Less is more. Don't write down every word the teacher says—you'll focus too much on the words and not enough on the points she's trying to make. Instead, listen closely for phrases she emphasizes or repeats and then write down those.
Read your notes ASAP3 after class—ideally within 24 hours. Spell out any abbreviations4 and reorganize or even type up your pages if you think it'll help you understand better. Highlight5 the important points and jot down any additional questions you need to ask your teacher.
Don＇t waste time. Whether you're waiting for the bus or killing time6 before your bud7 comes over, crack8 a book and do a little studying.
Commit to classwork. If you say “yes” to everyone and everything, you'll be saying “no” to quality homework time. Chances are you can skip a shopping trip to make some sense of your math homework.
Set priorities9. Get good at making lists of everything you have to do. Then rank10 each task in terms of importance. It might take a couple of extra minutes, but you'll definitely know what to do first—and next!
Be polite to your teachers. After all, they're there to help you. Instead of saying, “You're not grading fair!” you might get further with, “I really bombed11 on this test. Tell me what can I do to improve my grade?”
Invest in a calendar. Record dates for assignments, tests, practices, vacations, special events and birthdays. Then hang it somewhere in your bedroom where you'll see it every day.
Don＇t cram. Once you know a test is coming, schedule short pockets of time to study. If you wait till the night before to hit the books, you'll just add to your anxiety.
Study－proof your room. A straight-backed chair will help you concentrate at your desk, and a good lamp will keep you from straining your eyes. Make sure your family knows you need quiet during study time.
Seek out help. It's smart to realize when you need help. Don't be shy about asking a parent, teacher or friend to help you with an assignment. Just remember to ask in advance12 and not the night before it's due!
Set goals—and rewards. “When I get through this chapter, I'll play a football match.”
Use a study group. Choose three or four friends who are serious about studying and plan a time to get together and go through each of your subjects. Drawing up13 an agenda14 ahead of time will keep you focused.
Overlearn. For example, when hangin' with your friends, don't speak Chinese. Instead, carry on conversations in English, French, German or whatever—you'll be far better prepared for the next test.
De－clutter! If you cram homework into your books or purse, allot15 five minutes each afternoon to reorganize (and uncrumple!). If your prob is that you have too much stuff—notebooks, dictionaries, PDA16, calculator—ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Get rid of anything that isn't crucial.
Take baby test steps. When quiz time comes, answer questions you definitely know the answer to, then go back to the ones you're sorta sure about and save the hardest ones for last. This way, you won't let the tough ones undermine your confidence or cause you to run out of time!
Set a schedule. Make a chart of your daily schedule, from classes to bedtime. Block out17 time for homework, daily commitments and personal activities like watching TV or talking on the phone. This'll help you track18 the amount of time you have for work and for play.
Find a role model. Have an older bro who's an A student? Or a tutor who's totally awesome19 at algebra? Find someone you admire who can toss out20 some tips to help you make the grade.
Get noteworthy. Think your notes don't make the grade? Try comparing them with a friend's. (Make sure you choose a pal who's a good student!) Also, try reading ahead in your textbook. You may be able to listen better 'cuz you'll already know some of what you're hearing.
Act like the teacher. Think about what teachers you like and which ones you don't. Figuring out21 what the good ones do to keep you interested will help you plan your school success.
Don＇t leave home without it． Before you leave, check to make sure you have everything you need for the day. Same goes for the evening. Before you start counting sheep, put your books, homework and supplies in your backpack22, readied23 for the next day.
以少胜多。老师讲的话不要一字不漏地记，那样你会把注意力过多集中到老师所用的言语上，而忽视老师想讲的要点。相反，应该仔细听老师强调或重复的词语，把这些词语记下来。
课后尽快复习笔记——最好是一天之内。把笔记中缩写的词语完整地拼出来，把笔记的内容重新组织一遍甚至全部打印出来，如果你觉得这样有助于理解的话。把要点标出来，如果还有问题要问老师，把问题都记下来。
不要浪费时间。等车的时候，无聊之中等朋友的时候，不妨翻开书来读上一两页。
功课要上心。你如果对别人有求必应，就等于不给自己好好做作业的时间。也许你不陪同学逛街，数学作业就能琢磨出一点门道。
区分轻重。要善于把你要做的事列个清单。然后按轻重缓急排个序。这么做也许要多花几分钟时间，但你一定会很清楚先做什么，后做什么！
尊敬老师。毕竟老师会帮助你。不要说“你打分偏心！”要想进步不妨说“这次考试我算考砸了。请问怎么做才能考好一点？”
买个日历。什么时候交作业、考试、做练习，什么时候放假，什么时候有特殊安排，什么时候过生日，全都记在日历上。然后把日历挂在卧室显眼的地方，每天都看一看。
不要临阵磨枪。知道要考试了，就要拿出点滴时间来学习。如果等到考试前一天晚上再猛啃书本，不过是徒增烦忧。
房间要适于学习。直背椅会有助于集中注意力，台灯光线良好才不会伤眼。一定要让家人知道你在学习时需要一个安静的环境。
寻求帮助。聪明的学生知道什么时候需要帮助。找父母、老师或朋友帮你做家庭作业不要羞于开口。只是要记住，要找就提前找，不要到该交作业的头天晚上才找。
设定目标，也要设奖。“看完这一章就去打场足球比赛。”
参加学习小组。找三、四个学习认真的朋友，规定一个集中学习的时间，一起温习功课。提前订好学习内容，这样每次就有一个中心。
刻苦学习。 例如，跟朋友在一起时不要说汉语。用英语、法语、德语或其他语言对话，这样下次考试就能胸有成竹了。
清理！如果你把家庭作业塞到书里和挎包里，每天下午拿出5分钟来整理一下（并把书弄平！）如果问题出在你装的东西太多，又是笔记本、字典，又是电子记事簿、计算器，问问自己，“这个东西真的需要吗？”把不重要的都扔掉。
答题先易后难。 测验的时候，先答有绝对把握的题，然后再做比较有把握的题，最难的题留到最后做。这样，就不会让难题动摇你的信心，空耗你的时间！
制订日程。每天的日程都要有规划，从上课到就寝。作业、每天的义务以及看电视、打电话等个人活动都订个时间。这样便于你了解学和玩的时间。
找榜样。你有没有考试全优的哥哥？或者是几何特好的家教？找一个你佩服的人，一个能为你考高分出点子的人。
注意笔记的价值。觉得笔记没能帮你考高分吗？不妨拿朋友的笔记来比较一番。（必须找一个学习成绩好的朋友！）还有就是要预习课文。预习课文再听课效果可能好一些，因为你已经知道了一部分要听讲的内容。
扮老师。想想什么样的老师你喜欢，哪些老师你不喜欢。弄清好老师让你对学习感兴趣的原因，这会有助于你计划怎样把学习搞好。
上学前清好书包。上学前清清书包，一定要带齐白天学校里要用的东西。晚上也是，睡觉之前把书本、作业本和学习用品放进背包，为第二天作好准备。
1. schedule v． 安排
2． flashcard n． 抽示卡（教师抽示，学生回答）
3． ASAP 为as soon as possible的缩写形式
4． abbreviation n． 缩写
5． highlight v． 使突出
6． kill time 消磨时间
7． bud n． [美口] 等于buddy，朋友，伙伴
8． crack v． [美]打开
9． priority n． 优先，重点
10． rank v． 排列
11． bomb v． 大败，惨败
12． in advance 提前
13． draw up 起草；制订
14． agenda n． 议程
15． allot v． 分配
16． PDA 即personal digital assistant，个人数码助手
17． block out 草拟
18． track v． 跟踪，追踪
19． awesome adj． 令人惊叹的
20． toss out 提出
21． figure out 弄清
22． backpack n． 背包
23． ready v． 使准备好