need help with my GPA

What year of HS are you in ?

If you are a junior or senior it will be tough to make significant improvements in your GPA

One thing to remember is that schools sometimes look at the trend - if you start out weak as a freshman and then improve over time, the school may take that into account.

My opinion is that the key to good grades is to start out fast each grading period. Really work extra hard to do well on the first few assignments - that will set the tone for the rest of the grading period.

Obviously if you are in the middle of the period now and are asking how do I get out of the hole I have dug, this advice won't do you much good. All you can do is really focus on the work at hand, go in early before school or at lunch and get extra help if you need it.

And don't ever skip an assignment - always take a shot at it - even getting 50% on an assignment beats a zero - and the teacher will know you tried.

Hope this helps

PK, if memory serves me, you are a freshman.

It is great that you acknowledge and understand that grades are important. But ... you have a lot of time to correct your GPA before it will matter. GPA is calculated on the four years of school from 9th - 12th grade.

If your first semester grades were not that great, you still have time to correct them.

Be sure that if you have a study hall, that you are using your time wisely and productively. Don't let that be "goof-off" time for you no matter what others around you are doing. Use that time to DO your school work.

Make sure that you are staying on top of assignments. If you find yourself having trouble in a particular class, be proactive early in getting help.

Finally, understand that there are no shortcuts with GPA. When it comes to your Jr. and Sr. year it will be a fairly accurate representation of how hard you have worked over the previous three years.

Good luck with your studies.

PK,

Also, try to make an appointment to talk with a counselor or trusted teacher at school about your grades. If you are doing badly in classes, your natural instinct might be to avoid discussing it with them - after all, they are just going to scold you, right?

No, they will take it as a good sign that you are coming forward to ask for help getting back on the right track. Ask them for help, but then be prepared to honestly put effort into whatever they suggest.

Good luck, and let us know how the rest of the school year goes!

quote:

i just dont seem to focus and baseball is getting in the way

I almost can't believe I'm saying this, but if baseball is getting in the way of your success as a student then maybe it's time to consider quitting baseball for now. SCHOOL COMES FIRST.

I know someone who was a very good pitcher in high school but couldn't get into college (any college) because of extremely poor grades. Now he thinks back and has to wonder how far he might have gone with baseball had he kept his grades up. Really, there's no magic silver bullet to getting good grades other than setting your priorities and taking control of your life (as opposed to letting outside influences control your life). To play sports you need to be good about budgeting time - get home at night and get school work finished before touching the TV, computer, video games or hanging out with friends.

08 gives good advice on the importance of getting a good jump every grading period. Start each new grading period with a kick-butt take no prisoners attitude. By getting a good start you'll make it easier on yourself during the last half of each marking period / semester.

MN's advice to ask for help in difficult subjects is right on the money. The ideal scenario would be to ask for help from the teacher whose class you're having trouble in, but if that's not possible for whatever reason at least find somebody to help you in that subject - parents, coaches, friend's parents, other teachers you're comfortable with, etc.

PK,
I have been through all of this stuff before, at this time last year, I was pissed that I didnt make grades for baseball. Stuck at home with a 1.83 GPA. Now its up to a 3.66 this year and just PM me with your specific needs because everything you are dealing with I have dealt with. I defintly think its hard when your popular and you balance school and sports with your life. Take it easy and work your *** off.

If you want to succeed in life you have to develop good habits.

The old story about making sure that you build your home on a firm foundation comes to mind along with the story of the grasshopper and the ant.

Right now as a student, you are building the foundation for the rest of your life. Your teenage lifestyle years will last in reality maybe three or four years. The rest of your life will last maybe 60 years more.

As a student, you have to pay attention in class, do your homework and get good grades on tests.

All of the newness of the teenage lifestyle is great (the girls, the popularity, reputation, lack of responsibility) but keep in focus what is important.

Don't build your house on sand.

I am a freshmen. And currently making improvements on my acedmics right now. i just don't want my grades this year to continue sophmore, junior, and senior year. (just thinking ahead of time)

If we were talking baseball then i guess you could say i am in a "slump".

Thanks you guys.

Studying will get your grades up. Know the answers to the questions. It will do wonders for your GPA.

PK - AK has said it best - "work your *** off". You study, do the assignments, turn in the assignments, be in class, prepare for tests, work hard on projects, ask questions and for tutoring if you don't understand, and do any extra credit that is offered". You just simply have to care about your grades! Waiting until your senior year is too late.

AK is a wonderful example of putting his nose to the grindstone and what it can do for you!

Best way to improve a GPA is to get a less cramed schedule. IK it helped me significantly. Less classes = more time. more time = better grades. Talk to your counselor and make sure your taking your core classes and not messing around with classes that aren't necessary when your a freshmen save all the good extra classes for when your a senior.