Get Better Grades While Enjoying The Studying Process

You don’t need to work hard to get good grades in high school.
In fact, the opposite is often true. Working hard can be detrimental to your grades.
*Shut up Aaron… You’re off your rocker.
No… I’m serious. Working hard can be good but it isn’t always good. Working hard is good when you have a good plan.
Working hard when you have a bad strategy is bad. It’s just plain inefficient. Time you waste studying with a bad strategy is time you’re not learning a better strategy. Working hard may give your grades a tiny boost short term but it’s the hole that’s impossible to fill.
The Holey Bucket Hypothesis

It’s hard to fill a bucket with a hole in it. Sure, by pouring enough water into it, you might fill it up for a split second but that takes a lot of water. As long as you’re pouring more water than the hole releases, you’ll fill the bucket… eventually. This is the same problem with most student’s study strategy.
If you have an okay study strategy then you can improve your test scores by studying enough. You’ll slowly learn more and more stuff until you’re prepared for the test. Then, hopefully, you won’t forget it all before you finish the test. Your bucket won’t stay filled for long.
* Why are we talking about buckets and holes Aaron? Isn’t this supposed to be an article on studying.
This is important. I promise you.
What if you didn’t have a hole in your bucket?
Would you fill the bucket faster?
Well… You’re damn right you would!
Studying when you have a hole in your metaphorical bucket is possible. It’s what most students do. They study with their mediocre strategies and do okay in class. They hate every second of it and it seems to take forever but it works. These students work hard to succeed.
But what happens when they have a bigger bucket they need to fill? What happens when the subject is way more difficult than the last one you had to learn? Uh oh…
What Kind of Awesometastic Do You Want To Be

Imagine a student that teachers love. You know the kind I’m talking about. They’re a teacher’s pet. They work hard. They take tons of notes. They don’t slack off. They’re the classic nerd stereotype.
Have you got that image in your head?
Okay… now realize that image is almost nothing like what you want to be, right?
Sure… there are some positive qualities but be honest with yourself. Do you want to be a nerd? Do you want to work all night just to get some high numbers on your papers? Do you want to study until you lose all your cool friends?
I lost my cool friends. I studied late nights. I made the teachers happy to have me in class. I did all this for a while at least. Here’s what I learned: It’s not worth it!
Eventually, I learned that this cliche of a good student that I was trying to imitate hurt my grades more than it helped them.
Here are a few facts that might just blow your mind:
- You don’t need to study long to score high.
- You don’t need to suffer through most schoolwork.
- You can (usually) score straight A’s with less than 15 minutes studying a night.
- You can skip (some) homework and still score near the top of your class.
- You can learn more by studying less
- You can understand things better by memorizing.
*Excuse me Aaron. I’ve gotta’ go clean my brain matter off the wall. (Having my mind been blown and all.)
Have you ever met one of those “slacker” students that still scores high?
I remember this one drug addict from highschool that still seemed to outscore me on every test. It drove me nuts. This was before I realized his tricks. I worked hours a night and he’d just breeze through everything. He spent half of most classes in the bathroom using class 1 drugs while I was working hard to score B’s.
*Are you saying I should do drugs?
NOOOO!!! Seriously… that’s not my point because this guy scored okay but he had plenty of life problems beyond this. All I’m saying is, if this slacker could outscore me then I was probably missing something important. That obvious thing isn’t the drugs. (He actually ended up in prison but that’s also beyond the point.)
This student knew how to work priorities to maximize his grades.
Powerful Grade Maximization Priorities

The easiest way to improve your grades is to change what you’re focusing on.
In Class
Look at your syllabus. Look at what you’re being graded on. Use that information to focus your efforts.
If tests are worth 80% of your grade then spend most of your time preparing for those tests. You can skip everything except those tests and still score a B minus. Do a handful more assignments and you’ll score like the average good student.
If tests are worth only 10% of your grade then don’t stress about tests. If your goal is an A then you might want to skip studying for tests completely. Kick-but on the other 90% and don’t study. You’ll still score points on the test because you’re doing the work but tests are some of the most stressful points to earn. They’re just not worth it at that percentage.
I had one math class where the teacher assigned about 1-2 hours of homework a night. It was frustrating. It drove me nuts until I realized those homework assignments were only worth 10% of my final grade. From that day forward, I only did homework assignments when I thought they’d help me learn something. I scored near the top of my class and spent almost no time on homework.
Do you see what I’m saying here?
*Teachers are crazy!?
Close enough…
But really…
You’re not always going to get this lucky in class. Some classes are going to end up being 25% tests, 25% homework, 25% projects, and 25% classwork. That can make it tough to prioritize to improve your grades. In these cases, focus on what you care about most and avoid the parts you hate.
Do you hate studying for tests? Then focus your energy on getting every other point. Then only study what you have to.
But… better yet…
In Between Class

Before you sign up for any class (or on week one of the class,) try to figure out which classes have priorities that align with your preferences. Ask to see other student’s syllabi. Ask the teachers if they can send it to you early.
Get this information and select your classes based on it.
In high school, this can be tough. You may have to finagle with your counselor. If you get a little creative then you can usually get away with moves for this reason.
“Why do you want to switch classes?” your counselor may ask.
Be honest and you may actually be allowed to. Just say, “I’m not good at tests and I’m afraid how it will affect my grades applying for college,” or “This class puts a lot of importance on homework but I’m really booked up this semester. I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up.”
This is just another form of priority.
Picking priorities can get you 80-90% of the way to good grades and you don’t even have to try harder.
Want to get the rest of the way? Then read this blog. Join communities that encourage you to study. Amazing grades are not difficult. They can be complicated but when you learn the process they’re easy.
Image Sources: Epicantus, Wikipedia, Pxhere,Ryan Hyde, David Nichols, Ryan McGilchrist
How To Get Good Grades In High School Without Really Trying
You’re capable of extraordinary things.
I know that, not because I’ve met you, but because you’re doing something that most people don’t do. You’re exploring strategies for improving your scores and academic life.
Most folks let themselves go numb to it. They ignore it. They pretend that it’s not there and hope it goes away. But what they don’t do, is what you’re doing.
Studying. Working. Researching. Putting in the leg work.
The good news: you’re finishing up the hardest part. The hardest part is figuring out what you need to do. Once you get on the right path, it just gets easier from there.
This blog can teach you exactly what you need to know.
If you’re looking to learn what I’ve learned working with thousands of students and teaching hundreds of thousands of students to get straight-A’s the smarter and happier way – in the most potent form yet…
Buy my book – How To Get Happier Straight A’s.
It only costs $4.99 (and if these strategies don’t work like magic like it has for thousands of other students then you can get a full refund. My goal is to help you – if this doesn’t change your life then I don’t want your money.)
Click Here To Buy Your Copy
The Formula To Study Success
- How To Find Time To Study
9 Multiple Choice Test Tips
The Worst Time To Study
But The Studies Say!?!?
Tagged on: advicehigh schoolstudytips
FAQs
Can you get good grades without being smart? ›
But this is more myth than fact. Good grades are not necessarily a result of intelligence or even environment. Good grades are a result of discipline and habit. By having enough discipline to establish good habits, almost everyone can consistently achieve very high marks.
What is the secret to getting good grades? ›Time management can be the best tool in your arsenal for getting better grades. Creating a study schedule can help you manage your time and keep from cramming. By learning and studying in small chunks, rather than trying to do so all at once, you'll be less overwhelmed and better able to master the material.
How do you get straight A+ in high school? ›- Organize Your Class Materials. ...
- Never Miss a Class. ...
- Sit at the Front. ...
- Participate. ...
- Review Notes Immediately After Class. ...
- Set Up a Distraction-Free Study Area. ...
- Form a Study Group. ...
- Avoid Cramming for Exams.
- Start with a Preparation Schedule. ...
- Focus on Proper Time Management. ...
- Know Your Weak Areas. ...
- 4. Make Sure Your Concepts are Clear. ...
- Prepare Your Study Notes. ...
- Explain the Lessons to Someone Else. ...
- Practice Sample Papers and Take Mock Tests. ...
- Identify the Scoring Sections.
- Find the right workplace. ...
- Make the most use of your time. ...
- Assemble your requirements properly to avoid distractions. ...
- Compile all your notes. ...
- Avoid cramming for long hours. ...
- Prioritize and work accordingly. ...
- Talk to someone around you.
- Pursue Your Passion. ...
- Build Your Ideal Class Schedule. ...
- Visit Your Professors' Office Hours. ...
- Buy a Planner. ...
- Build an Effective Study Schedule. ...
- Understand How You Are Graded. ...
- Set Yourself Up for Success the Day Before an Exam. ...
- Remove Distractions While Studying.
- Attend Class Regularly. It sounds simple, but going to class is the obvious first step if you want to improve your grades. ...
- Review the Syllabus. ...
- Take Good Notes. ...
- Go to Office Hours. ...
- Avoid Late Penalties. ...
- Join Review Sessions. ...
- Take Advantage of Extra Credit.
- Never Cram. ...
- Manage your time. ...
- Practice Interlinking Ideas. ...
- Make Diagrams. ...
- Set up your own Mnemonics. ...
- Learn to Visualize. ...
- Retell the Story. ...
- Take notes.
A+ Letter Grade is a 4.0 GPA or 97–100% – GPA Calculator.
Which high school year is the easiest? ›Going into high school, many students hear that freshman year is the “easiest” year. Some think that colleges don't consider it as much as they do one's sophomore, junior, and senior years. While this is typically true, it doesn't mean that students should entirely dismiss the importance of their freshman year.
What grade is the hardest in high school? ›
While each year of high school will have its own stressors, many will say junior year is the most challenging. Junior year can be the hardest for several reasons, but with the right prep and expectations, high school students can make the hardest year just a little easier.
How to pass a math test? ›- Start Early. Being prepared for a test starts with taking class seriously. ...
- Do Your Homework. ...
- Try a Planning Approach. ...
- Use Practice Tests and Exams. ...
- Use Flashcards. ...
- Practice Online. ...
- Try a Study Group. ...
- Set Rewards.
- Give yourself enough time to study. via GIPHY. ...
- Organize your study space. via GIPHY. ...
- Use flow charts and diagrams. via GIPHY. ...
- Practice on old exams. via GIPHY. ...
- Explain your answers to others. via GIPHY. ...
- Organize study groups with friends. via GIPHY. ...
- Take regular breaks. via GIPHY. ...
- Snack on brain food.
- Get informed. Don't walk into your test unprepared for what you will face. ...
- Think like your teacher. ...
- Make your own study aids. ...
- Practice for the inevitable. ...
- Study every day. ...
- Cut out the distractions. ...
- Divide big concepts from smaller details. ...
- Don't neglect the “easy” stuff.
- Smartphone. This could just be the golden age of cheating in tests due to the technology that's readily available to students these days. ...
- Music Player. ...
- Fingernail. ...
- Brim of a Cap. ...
- Hidden Notes on Thigh. ...
- Tissue. ...
- Impressions on Blank Paper. ...
- Mirror Glasses.
If you didn't study or prepare anything, always go for the easiest questions first. When you have reading time, it's best to identify which questions to answer first; therefore you don't waste your time. If your exam has different sections, try to answer the short answer questions first.
How do you pass a test easy? ›- Give yourself enough time to study. ...
- Use flow charts and diagrams. ...
- Practice on old exams. ...
- Explain your answers to others. ...
- Organize study groups with friends. ...
- Take regular breaks. ...
- Plan the day of your exams. ...
- Drink plenty of water.
Basically, getting straight A's is hard (if it were easy, everyone would do it) so you need to work at it if you want to do this. However, avoid study groups if you tend to talk more than study. Remember, you are only working in a study group to study.
How do I come first in class? ›To achieve the first rank in your class, you will have to stay disciplined and study hard throughout the year. Take part in class activities and do all of your homework on time, including reading assignments. Organize your study time, test yourself, and eliminate distractions that will reduce your productivity.
What is the easiest grade to skip? ›Grade acceleration is easiest to implement through skipping pre-kindergarten into kindergarten or skipping kindergarten into first grade directly. By starting the child ahead, many of the problems associated with grade skipping, such as leaving friends behind or knowledge gaps, are avoided.
Is it rare to skip a grade? ›
Research shows that about 1 percent of students grade-skip. Students can skip grades at any level, and they can even skip multiple grades. Grade-skipping has led to many concerns.
Who is the youngest high school graduate? ›The only person on that list younger than David, is Michael Kearney, who still holds the Guinness World Record for youngest high school graduate that he set in 1990, when he was only 6 years old — yes, you read correctly — age 6. Kearney then obtained master's degrees at ages 14 and 18.
Why do I get low grades even if I study? ›The problem: You procrastinate studying, not leaving yourself enough time to absorb the material before test day. The solution: Create a routine that involves reviewing your notes regularly. Each night, take a few minutes to go over your notes from class.
How do you pass a class you're failing? ›- Adjust your study habits. It could be possible that you are studying, but it's just not effective. ...
- Ask for help. There's no shame in asking for help. ...
- Stop procrastinating. ...
- Turn in missing work. ...
- Talk to your teacher. ...
- Request extra credit. ...
- Consider choosing a “pass/fail” grading. ...
- Don't give up.
- 1) Don't procrastinate. ...
- 2) Ask for feedback whenever possible. ...
- 3) Eliminate all possible distractions while studying. ...
- 4) Study for understanding rather than memorization. ...
- 5) Avoid cramming. ...
- 6) Ask questions to test your understanding.
- Reading is not studying. Simply reading and re-reading texts or notes is not actively engaging in the material. ...
- Understand the Study Cycle. ...
- Spacing out is good. ...
- It's good to be intense. ...
- Silence isn't golden. ...
- Problems are your friend. ...
- Reconsider multitasking. ...
- Switch up your setting.
Actually, CompTIA A+ is not difficult because many can pass it, and it is known as IT easiest certification. It may be difficult for first-time certification exam takers but more accessible for those who already have a basic knowledge of IT. It covers topics at a basic level.
Is 95% an A or A? ›Thus, an A is a 95, halfway between 90 and 100. An A- is a 91.25, halfway between 90 and 92.5. Etc. Grades between these are averages.
Is 90% an A or AB? ›A - is the highest grade you can receive on an assignment, and it's between 90% and 100% B - is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89%
Is 94% an A or A+? ›Letter Grade | Grade Points | Numerical Grade |
---|---|---|
A+ | 4.0 | 97–100 |
A | 4.0 | 94–96 |
A- | 3.7 | 90–93 |
B+ | 3.3 | 87–89 |
What is my GPA if I have all A's? ›
Many schools report your GPA on a 4.0 scale. Obtaining this grade at the end of the semester would be the equivalent of getting all A's or perfect scores in all your classes. If you have perfect scores all around then there is no need to use this calculator as your GPA is obviously 4.0.
What GPA is required for Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
Is A+ better than a? ›Academic grading in the United States commonly takes on the form of five, six or seven letter grades. Traditionally, the grades are A+, A, A−, B+, B, B−, C+, C, C−, D+, D, D− and F, with A+ being the highest and F being lowest.
What grade is the hardest year? ›While junior year is often the hardest year of high school, the transition from middle school to 9th grade can also be tough. To make it easier, don't feel afraid to reach out to your teachers and counselors, and take advantage of the support resources that are available.
What school is the hardest? ›School | Location | Acceptance Rate (Class of 2026) |
---|---|---|
1. Harvard | Cambridge, MA | 3.19% |
2. Columbia | New York, NY | 3.73% |
3. Caltech | Pasadena, CA | 3.92%* |
4. Stanford | Stanford, CA | 3.95%* |
Can you name the most frequently failed high school course? It's a subject that students have called “difficult,” “challenging,” and, at times, “torture.” Yes. It's a math class.
Does F exist in grades? ›A majority of schools in the United States, particularly beyond primary age, give grades of A, B, C, D, or F.
Which year is the best year of high school? ›While all the years of high school are important, junior year is definitely one that stands out for many reasons, and for college-bound teens, it may be the most important year of their high school career.
How can I study hardest? ›- Don't miss a class. 'A' students never miss a class. ...
- Review your notes quickly and often. ...
- Organise your notes visually. ...
- Plan ahead. ...
- Explain things to others. ...
- Get together with a study group. ...
- Stay positive. ...
- Trust your instincts.
- Try to understand the information first. Information that is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. ...
- Link it. ...
- Sleep on it. ...
- Self-test. ...
- Use distributed practice. ...
- Write it out. ...
- Create meaningful groups. ...
- Use mnemonics.
How to study easy? ›
- Listen to music. ...
- Set your notes to music. ...
- Try using interactive learning materials. ...
- Use flashcards. ...
- Create posters. ...
- Make up some mnemonics. ...
- Use diagrams to illustrate what you're learning. ...
- Invest in some stationery you love using.
Your grades do not define your intellectual abilities. While good grades do look impressive on paper and can yield numerous benefits, they do not accurately represent one's intellectual abilities.
Do grades depend on IQ? ›Scores on intelligence tests remain a robust predictor of academic achievement. There are many different ways in which intelligence can enhance the learning experience. A prime example of this is seen in motivation. Intelligence can often manifest motivation in different ways, depending on the type of learner.
Are grades related to IQ? ›For example, many studies show a correlation of roughly +. 50 between IQ scores and students' grade point averages in college.
Do grades determine your intelligence? ›Our grades are not a representation of our intelligence. They are a reflection of society's standards on how we should be graded. These standards do not consider that people are learning differently, and not all of us received the same education.
Why Smart Kids Get Poor grades? ›They're bored. Often, smart kids get poor grades because they're simply not interested in what they're learning in school. If your first grader is reading and comprehending on a third grade level, they may be bored by the phonics instruction and assignments in their classroom.
What grades matter the most? ›The grades that typically matter most are those from your core academic courses. Sometimes, colleges may ignore the grades from your elective courses. Your GPA may muddle the results a bit too. A 4.0 GPA is excellent, but many colleges recalculate your GPA according to their own metrics.
Do grades matter in life? ›Grades by no means define a student, but that doesn't mean they aren't very important. They can influence your class, college, scholarship, and career opportunities.
Do genius get good grades? ›However, grades have nothing to do with how smart a person is. Intelligence is not measured by a student's memorization skills and effort level, and it should not be treated that way. Students need to know that grades are just numbers used to classify people and are ineffective in separating smart people from others.
What is the IQ of a grade 5? ›The average IQ of the general population is 100. Therefore, the average IQ of a fifth grader would be about 100.
Does school boost IQ? ›
But more importantly for teachers, for every year of education, students also gain on average one to five IQ points , with gains that continue into old age. To put that in perspective, about two-thirds of adults have an IQ between 85 and 115, and only about 2.5 percent of adults have an IQ above 130.
Why grades don t define you? ›Grades should never define a person and their potential because our potential is always growing! Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and we can always find help to improve our weaknesses,” Wilkerson-Petersen said. “Who you were last semester is not who you will be this semester.
Is your IQ the same as your parents? ›"It's a really firm foundation from which we can build on." Researchers have previously shown that a person's IQ is highly influenced by genetic factors, and have even identified certain genes that play a role. They've also shown that performance in school has genetic factors.
Do grades really define who you are? ›Grades do not automatically define one's academic abilities or attitude. A privileged student with access to educational resources may have an advantage over students who work part-time and go to school.
Do grades determine your future? ›Your grades can help you plan for your future. In fact, you can use your GPA a lot like your GPS to determine where you are and where you are going. The more you know about your strengths and opportunities for improvement, the better you'll know where you need to apply yourself more.