Grades Grow Tutors

The tutors here at Grades Grow Tutors love their work, and they’re not alone. By and large, tutors do what they do primarily because they enjoy it. Here are just a few of the many reasons that tutors love their jobs.

Helping Out Feels Good
You don’t have to be a tutor to know how good it feels to help someone understand something that they previously had struggled with. Whether you taught a child to tie their shoelaces, showed someone how to change their oil, or showed your grandparents how to use e-mail (like I did), it’s just a one-of-a-kind, wonderful feeling when you see that “light bulb” go off and know that the person understands something that they didn’t get beforehand. Let’s face it: we’ve all been students, and we all know what it’s like to have trouble learning something new. Any time you can help someone overcome that, especially a student who is really trying hard to improve, it just feels great.

Education Never Stops
Many tutors love the world of education. Most of our tutors are former teachers or long-time students who have worked their way up to a Master’s degree, or even a Ph.D. If you simply love the world of learning and education, tutoring is a great next step! Nowadays, a great education is even more important than it used to be, and as such, parents and students look for more when they find a tutor. These days, the college student next door doesn’t always cut it! Tutors nowadays have to be well-versed in their subject of expertise, as well as knowledgeable of different teaching and learning strategies, and possessing of excellent “people skills”. For those that have these qualities and love the world of education, tutoring is a natural fit.

It’s Convenient!
Online tutoring isn’t just convenient for students and parents, it’s also convenient for the tutors themselves! Online tutors can work from home or, with the prevalence of internet connectivity today, from just about anywhere! Online tutoring also provides tutors as well as parents tools to monitor and track student progress, and make it easy for tutors and parents to connect and discuss the student’s work. The world of tutoring is just one of many things that the internet has helped to improve upon.

You Can Make a Difference
It may sound a little, okay, maybe more than a little corny, but it’s true. It’s important to know that what you do with your time, even your career, is something that is helping others and even improving the world around us as a whole. By providing homework help, studying assistance, and guidance to students, tutors are helping to create a better educated society…full of students who will be the future leaders of the world! If you have a choice between doing a job that just feels, well, like a job, and doing work that feels important, there really is no choice at all. Having a career that means something to yourself and others is a huge perk to everyone in the field of education, especially tutors.

With information being so easy to find and access via the internet these days, it seems that the good old school library is quickly becoming a neglected place. If anything, school libraries have mainly become a place for students to go to check their e-mail or do internet research during school time. I’m here to tell you, the school library is not a place you want to forget about, if you want to get great grades! Here are a few things that the library has to offer students, even in the internet age.

Expert Help Available
Librarians aren’t just sitting behind their desks to tell you when to be quiet. Librarians are a great source of knowledge, especially when it comes to researching subjects efficiently. Sure, search engines do a good job of providing you instant sources for research papers or other projects, but librarians can help you diversify your sources and find you information you otherwise never would have found. Not only that, but librarians can provide homework help by guiding you through vast newspaper, magazine, and journal indexes as well. Most school libraries have a wealth of information available, the librarian is like the roadmap that will help you find the information you need.

Sometimes the Internet Isn’t the Best Source
Believe it or not, not everything can be found on the internet. Almost everything, but not quite! All jokes aside, your school library is bound to have resources that you simply can’t find from your home PC. Scholarly journals, newspaper archives on microfiche, and a variety of DVD-ROMs will likely cover the gaps missing in your internet-exclusive research. Many teachers and professors have soured on the idea of students only doing research on the internet, and require a mix of sources for papers and projects. Also, while much of the information on the internet is from reputable sources and is accurate, there is still a lot of information that isn’t. Citing a rant from someone’s blog as a source for your research paper isn’t going to make your teacher (or English tutor) very happy.

There’s No Better Place to Study!
The library is not just a place to find the information you need, but also a great place to actually get your work done. The quiet and relaxed environment you’re likely to find in your school library is a great place to meet with other students, your tutor, or even to get work done on your own. At home, in study hall, or in a dorm room it can be hard to find the kind of environment you need to concentrate properly. Not only will the library provide a great place to study, but it’s a convenient location because all of the resources you require are right there, should you need them. You can even meet with your online tutor from one of your library’s computers!

I would be the last person who would ever deny the internet’s wonderful impact on education. However, it’s important to remember that there are other places students can go to get assistance, get work done, or study. I firmly believe that along with tutoring, good study skills, and assistance from teachers, school libraries are absolutely essential for school success.

One of the best ways to get the most out of your classes (and get a little homework help) is to study in groups. The greatest thing about studying in groups is that it’s not only effective, but fun!

Studying with your friends- or a tutor- can be a lot more interesting and enjoyable than merely going over notes and re-reading chapters on your own. What I’d like to do today is explore some ways you can make learning in groups even more fun. Here are some ideas:

Game Show Time!
Earlier this week, I talked briefly about how to turn your study group into a full-blown game show for added fun and maybe even a little competition. Here are some ways to do that. First, split up into teams. It doesn’t really matter whether you have two teams, three teams…you can even have a little one-on-one standoff if you only have one study partner. Then, each team contributes a few questions from the relevant course that they will be asking other teams when it’s their turn. Split the questions into categories, such as “easy”, “medium” and “difficult”, with harder questions counting for more points. Then, take turns, with each team getting a chance to answer questions from the other teams’ question bank! Decide how many rounds to play and remember, the highest score wins!

Flash Cards with a Twist
Just about every student has used flash cards at some point. They may seem to be for kids, but they can be very helpful, especially with subjects like foreign languages, history (dates and names lend themselves well to flash cards), or even math, with all the formulas that need to be remembered for tests. How do we take flash cards and make them more fun? Easy…design a board game! Take a piece of paper and draw out a map with many squares (how many is up to you), and write things on some squares, like “move back 1 square” or “skip a turn” on random squares. Then, take a normal die, and take turns rolling it. After you roll the die, have your partner show you a flash card. If you answer the flash card correctly, you move the number of spaces on the die! See? It’s simple, yet will make the same dull flash cards into a totally new experience!

Tutors Just Want to Have Fun!
Okay, maybe the famous Cyndi Lauper song doesn’t go exactly that way, but the point remains the same: you can have fun while studying with a tutor, too. In fact, many tutors and tutoring services are skilled in approaching subjects in new and interesting ways, so that students can digest new information easier than they normally do. If you have a big test coming up, have your tutor challenge you to answer questions correctly, and see if you can continue increasing your score! Also, tutors may have fun acronyms or other learning strategies to learn important terms, formulas, or other information that has to be remembered.

As always, learning is what you make of it. If you approach learning with an open mind and a positive attitude, you’re much more likely to enjoy yourself! Remember this the next time you study with a group of friends, your online tutor, or even by yourself, and studying will take on a whole new life!

English may not be the first subject that comes to mind when you think of challenging classes, but it’s definitely near the top of the list. Many students struggle with the myriad of rules, guidelines and intricacies of English writing. Here are some tips to help you do your best in English class.

To Write Better, Read!
It may sound strange, but one of the best ways to become a better writer is to read more. Reading more will improve your grammar usage, spelling, and even your vocabulary! Many good spellers will tell you that their secret to spelling success is the fact that they’ve read many books, and that only makes sense. After all, if as see a word more times, you will be more likely to remember the correct spelling of it. Reading will also demonstrate proper language, grammar and sentence structure…hopefully after reading a lot, you will have a much better grasp of how to format your writing!

Learn From Your Mistakes
It’s easy to get discouraged when a teacher returns a paper to you full of red ink marks, but take advantage of such setbacks as a chance to learn! It’s hard to think of another class where help is more readily available. After all, the teacher is providing you with a document that actually lists all of your errors, and often tells you how to fix them! Not only that, but multiple drafts, which most instructors require, allow you chances to improve your writing for a more polished final product. How nice would it be to have multiple “drafts” of a calculus test? An English tutor is a great way to take your writing to an even higher level. Working with a tutor allows you to get that extra help that your teacher may not be able to provide, and gives you another pair of eyes to look over papers before you hand them in. Tutoring is also great because students can learn helpful ways to remember complex grammar and punctuation rules.

Write About What You Enjoy
You’d be surprised by how much your writing will improve when you write about something that interests you. When you write about a topic or subject of interest, you bring more knowledge to the table, and you’ll be more likely to research the topic well, since you would like to learn more about it anyway. Believe it or not, when the teacher reads your paper, your passion for the subject will shine through! It’s not hard to tell if a writer is connected to his or her topic or not, and having a genuine interest for a subject will give your work that extra something, and could be the difference between a “B” and an “A” grade. Next time you have a research paper, book report, or fictional story due, try to write about something that interests you…you’ll see the results, and you’ll enjoy yourself much more in the process!

English is one of the most important subjects to learn in school, because you will use what you learn as much or even more than what you learn in any other subject. Therefore, it’s imperative that students master the skills taught to them in English classes! Follow these tips, get homework help if you need it (an online tutor is a great choice!), and you’ll see improvement in no time!

For many students, this is the most stressful time of the school year. Many college students have finals this week or closely approaching, and other students have about a month left. This time of year can be hard, between the pressure mounting to ace final tests and the looming promise of a summer of fun and relaxation. Here are some tips on finishing strong, so that you can enjoy the summer instead of regretting poor grades.

Prepare the Right Way for Tests
Tests aren’t aced or failed on test day. They are just as they’re supposed to be…a test of how well you’ve retained knowledge from any of your particular courses. Too many students get stressed out about tests when really, by the time a test comes most of the work has been done. The test itself isn’t the work part, studying is. In other words, as long as you study properly, you have nothing to worry about come test time.

Of course, there is more than one way to study properly. Many prefer using a tutor or tutoring service, others study with parents, with groups of other students, or on their own using tried-and-true methods that work well for them. Some students use all of these methods! Certainly, I’m an advocate for tutoring, and online tutoring especially due to the ease and convenience involved. You can get a lot done working in groups, but tutors are experts at finding and using methods that will work for you, so that you can perform your best. No matter what you do to prepare, make sure you put the time in before the test to avoid test day stress!

Don’t Lose Sight of the Finish Line
Finals and semester tests aren’t the only goblins waiting to jump out of the bushes at students this time of the year. Many classes have a barrage of homework assignments or long-term projects due as well. If you need homework help, this isn’t the time to keep quiet! Make sure that you get everything in on time to avoid giving away points, and remember how hard you’ve worked so far, and how little you have left to do! Don’t lose sight of your goals, and remember that with a little more focus and hard work, you’ll soon be finished with the school year!

Manage Your Stress
As we’ve noted here before, stress and frustration are the last thing a student needs when trying to attain great grades. At the end of the school year, it can be easy to get overwhelmed if many things remain to be done for your classes. Pace yourself by planning ahead and doing work little by little, rather than waiting until the last minute to work on a paper or cram for an exam. Not only will you be lot less stressed out, but you’ll write better papers and take better tests that way.

Remember, students, summer is almost here! You’ve worked hard all school year, and the end is in sight. Don’t let a poor finish to the school year ruin what you’ve worked hard for. Follow these tips and you’re sure to have a relaxing summer and grades you can be proud of.

We learn a lot more in school than multiplication tables and how to format book reports, and that’s what this top ten list is all about. Here are some of the many things I learned while I was in school:

10. Teachers want you to succeed!
Yes, believe it or not, your teachers want you to do well! So do your principal, your tutor, and everyone else involved in your education! Sure, it may seem like your teacher is out to get you every now and then, but I assure you, they want you to become the best student you can be. In some cases, they may care even more than you do!

9. When your school days are over, you’ll miss them!
If you’re a student right now, it may be hard to agree, but it’s true. I know, I know…tests, homework, study halls, you could go on and on. Compare this to the “real world”, however, and school days are wonderful. Come on, you get to see your friends, learn about new things, and generally just be a kid. That’s a pretty great life, don’t you think?

8. Your grades do matter.
I remember at quite a few points in my school career hearing my classmates flippantly say that their grades don’t matter, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. When deciding what college to go to or what career you would like to go into, the people who decide whether you’re qualified will be looking at…that’s right! Your grades, and they do matter!

7. Build good study habits early on.
I wish I had been a better student earlier in my school career and built good study habits, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. School was often very easy for me, and I was able to be pretty lazy and still make good grades. However, when I got into high school and especially college, I wished I had learned good study habits earlier, so that I could use them to tackle the much more difficult coursework. The study habits you build early in your school career will carry you through the rest of your education.

6. Don’t eat the meatloaf for lunch!
No, seriously. Don’t. Unless your school lunch is much different than mine was, you want to stay far, far away on “meatloaf day”. Trust me.

5. You may not enjoy English class, but you need it.
At the college level, nearly every class is in some way an English class. No matter what subject you’re taking, you’re likely to have to write papers in addition to reading pages after pages of textbooks. Solid English skills are a must to succeed at the college level. I’ve even had algebra classes that had writing assignments as part of the curriculum!

4. Dodge ball is a dangerous game!
Laugh all you want, but I’m not kidding! You’d think that those red rubber balls can’t provide that much impact, especially when thrown by sixth graders, but you’d be wrong! Terribly wrong! I have the scars to prove it! Sure, dodge ball is ridiculously fun, and has been a gym class and recess tradition as long as anyone can remember, but be careful!

3. Learning math can be difficult, but it’s important.
Math was always my most frustrating subject, but I have to admit, it was also the most rewarding. With help from teachers and a math tutor or two along the way, I had some of my most fulfilling moments as a student during math courses. Not only that, but math classes build upon one another, unlike most other subjects. This means if you fall behind in math you’re going to have to work doubly hard to catch up, because you can’t move on without having the earlier knowledge to build upon.

2. You really will use this stuff in the real world.
One of the things students love to say when they encounter a subject they don’t care for is, “when will we ever need this in the real world?” The answer is, all the time! These days, school subjects are more and more tailored to be useful to students who go out into the workforce or onto college. You may not think history class is important, but who knows? You may get into college and be very happy that you know so much about Abraham Lincoln! And when it comes to classes like math, you will need the knowledge you got from them nearly every day of your life!

1. Ask for help if you need it!
I can’t stress this enough…in life you need to be able to ask for help, and school is no different! You will do much better in school if you have the help of a tutor or tutoring service in addition to your teacher, parents, and fellow students. Today, with online tutoring available, it’s easier than ever to get the help you need. There’s nothing wrong with accepting help on your schoolwork. Trust me, when you get that great grade you’ve been wanting, it will feel just as good!

No matter what group of students you ask, it seems that math is one of the most common answers when you ask what the most difficult school subject is. For whatever reason, many students continue to be befuddled, frustrated, and challenged by math more than most other subjects. Luckily, help is out there! Whether you decide to find a math tutor or get homework help from a friend or teacher, there are always people willing to help you understand the fun and sometimes maddening subject of mathematics. Today, I’m going to present some strategies that any math student can use to improve their performance in the classroom.

Find Your Weaknesses
Whether you’re working by yourself or with an online tutor, you’ll want to begin by knowing what your weaknesses are. Is there a certain aspect of what you’re trying to learn that continues to give you problems? Are their certain concepts that just continue to escape you, no matter how hard you try? It’s important to know exactly what you are struggling the most with, so that you can improve on those areas until they are at the level of your strengths. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to keep working with a tutor on concepts you already understand, right?

Calculators Are Your Friends!
While calculators sometimes get a bad reputation for allowing people to avoid basic math techniques, they definitely have their use. One way to use a calculator is to do the work at first on paper and using your own mind, then checking the answer with a calculator to ensure everything matches up. This is a good way to take advantage of the processing power and accuracy of a calculator, while giving your mind a good work-out at the same time! Checking answers with a calculator may help you avoid those tiny math errors that are so easy to make, as well.

Flash Cards Are, Too!
Don’t laugh! Flash cards aren’t just for kids. They’re a great way to learn formulas that you’ll need in higher-level math classes to solve problems. When you get to higher-level math classes, you simply cannot do your work if you can’t recall the formulas you need! Flash cards are one of many good ways to work on remembering them.

Fundamentals, Fundamentals, Fundamentals
There’s nothing worse than working a problem for ten minutes, only to come up with an incorrect answer because you forgot to carry a 2 over, or you made a simple subtraction or addition error. Sure, some teachers will give you partial credit if they can look at your work and tell you were on the right track, but that doesn’t make you feel much better, now does it?

In the same way that basic fundamentals have to be built on and done correctly when playing a sport, they must also be done correctly to succeed in mathematics. Working too quickly or carelessly is definitely something that will come back to haunt you when you’re completing a complicated problem. Doing simple things like writing legibly, lining up columns correctly or crossing out numbers after “borrowing” can save you a world of frustration!

It’s obvious that the widespread use of computers (and of course, the internet) has had a huge effect on how learning takes place. Every aspect of learning has changed dramatically, even tutoring! One could probably list dozens of ways that the rise of computer use has impacted learning, but today, we’re going to look at just ten, folks. Without further ado, here’s your top ten!

10. Learning is more interactive than ever!
Years ago, CD-ROM discs revolutionized interactive learning. Encyclopedias and other learning tools that were indexed on CD-ROMs could provide the same information as a standard encyclopedia, but with added video and audio content to really allow a more interesting learning experience. Now, with DVD discs that hold several times more information, interactive learning is just a disc away.

9. No more hand cramps!
If you’re like me, it’s been a long time since you’ve handwritten a paper or essay. On occasions when I do have to handwrite extensively, the first thing I think (besides, “ahhh, hand cramp!”) is, “I wish I was typing, instead.” Nowadays, we take for granted being able to spell-check to our heart’s desires and move large paragraphs in a single bound, but believe it or not, this was a novelty at one time!

8. Parents can stay involved in much easier ways than before.
Parents have always been able to provide homework help, ask how their children are doing in school, and generally get involved with their children’s education. Now, it’s easier than ever to track a child’s progress, as many schools have websites where parents can access student grades and comments from teachers. Online tutoring provides the same options, as we here at Grades Grow Tutors give easy access to parents who want to review reports on study sessions between students and tutors. Thanks to the internet, it’s more convenient than ever to stay “in the know” when it comes to your kids’ education.

7. Researching is easier than ever!
Way back when I was in junior high school, if I had research that had to be done for a paper, I was stuck with the library and its massive card catalog system as my only source of information. Now, if you have a computer with internet access you can literally find information about any topic in seconds! Projects, research papers, reports…they’re all made easier to do, thanks to computers.

6. Your favorite school subjects…enhanced.
I wasn’t the type of person who really got into dissection in biology class, but today, things might be different. To be able to pop a DVD in to your computer and explore a 3-D version of a frog’s organs, now that’s cool! It’s hard to think of a subject that can’t be enhanced with computer technology; whether it’s interactive encyclopedias for history classes, spreadsheet programs for accounting courses, or even computer-aided illustrating to spice up art classes. No matter what your subject of interest is, computers can take it to the next level and make it easier, more fun, and more interesting.

5. Providing an education within an education.
Computers not only provide a means to assist your learning in classic school subjects like math, history, and English, but they are a subject within themselves. While you’re typing that paper, designing a website for your science class project, or helping with the layout for the school newspaper, you’re also learning skills that are guaranteed to transfer over to most future careers. Think about it, how many careers out there don’t require the use of a computer at some point or another? Not many! Chances are, your computer skills will not only help you get a better grade in your history class, but also will help you land a great job somewhere down the road.

4. Computers make classes more fun!
Even back when floppy disks were the apex of computer technology, computers were already making learning more fun. In my junior high social studies class, we would race to get work done so that we could get on the class computers and play Oregon Trail. As technology has continued to improve, so have educational programs, and there are still a multitude of fun ways to supplement your learning, no matter what your grade level is.

3. Homework help is just a click away.
The very nature of communication has been changed by the dawn of the internet and the sheer number of computers in use today. Not only can you e-mail a teacher or instant message a fellow student who you’re working with on a group project, but you can find an online tutor who can help you understand your class work all while sitting at your desk, in the comfort of your own home! The convenience of being able to get the assistance you need from say, a math tutor, all while sitting in your pajamas and typing on your laptop, is pretty outstanding.

2. Classes can literally take place anywhere!
I’ve had the opportunity to take online courses in the past, and it’s a pretty amazing experience. Being able to “check in” to class when my schedule allows, participating in class discussions via a message board or forum, and e-mailing your teacher weekly assignments really made me understand how far the educational world has come since computer use in schools and homes become the norm. While there will always be something to be said for sitting in an actual class and meeting with your teacher and classmates in person, it’s hard to rival the convenience and versatility of an online class.

1. A world of information is literally at your fingertips.
The fact is that computers have allowed us to learn more quickly, efficiently, and have even made learning more fun and interactive. It doesn’t stop when you get done with school, you can learn anything while never leaving your home computer! Whether you need to change the brakes on your car, find a great new recipe for dinner, research different colleges, or even find a physics tutor, you can do so now, and it’s easier than ever. It’s hard to imagine doing without the assistance of computers and a tutor, especially when it comes to being a student.

There’s no question that using a tutor gives you a big advantage over other students; an advantage that can’t be gained simply by raising your hand and asking a few questions in the classroom.

Unfortunately, it’s hard for teachers in today’s crammed classrooms to provide the kind of individual attention that a tutor can. There’s no doubt that teachers do all they can to reach the students they work with, but when many students need additional help, sometimes educators are simply stretched too thin.

Therefore, the question isn’t necessarily just, “is a tutor a good idea?” The real question is what kind of tutoring service to go with. There are many options to go with, after all. What I would like to do is to examine some of the key differences between online tutoring and traditional tutoring that takes place “in person”.

My time is my own - One of the main advantages of online tutoring is that it works around any kind of schedule. In today’s busy world, it’s often difficult to work around all the things that need to get done to meet in person with a tutor. With online tutoring, the barriers are all but discarded, as both parties simply need to “log on” and they are ready to go! There’s no denying that it’s great to be able to meet face to face with someone, but it’s hard to pass up being able to chat with your tutor online at any time that is convenient for you! Plus, many online tutors allow you to converse with your tutor using a headset. This provides a good mix of the personal aspect of face to face tutoring, along with all the convenience of online tutoring.

And Your Tutoring Qualifications Are….? - The expertise of online tutors may also be higher than what you would find in your own neighborhood, as well. At many colleges and high schools, for instance, other students are often serving as tutors. Here at Grades Grow Tutors, our tutors are mostly comprised of people with Ph.D’s or Master’s degrees in their respective fields. It can be hard to find that kind of experience where you live or at your school!

Are Mom and Dad Empowered With a Progress Report? - Parents can easily follow their student’s progress in the student’s records here, as well as tutor’s notes or what content was covered in each session. It’s hard to find a tutor near you that can provide that kind of information at your fingertips, any time you want to view it.

Also, many online tutors can offer services you won’t find with a traditional tutor. For instance, all of our tutoring sessions are recorded, and many are randomly chosen to be monitored for quality. It’s good to know that you are getting a great value, and the accountability our tutors have shows in their ability to help students grow.

From looking at all the things that online tutoring has to offer, it’s easy to see why so many students are taking advantage of it. If you want all the perks of having individual help with classes that tutoring has always provided, with the added convenience and flexibility that working online provides, then online tutoring is for you!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to make learning a more enjoyable and successful experience, and it led me to ask one of my former teachers for her advice on the subject. The teacher I spoke to is my high school English teacher (we’ll call her Mrs. E), and she has taught virtually every type of student over the last twenty years. Thus, she’s an expert on different learning styles and strategies, and she’s the perfect person to give advice to the rest of us who are either teachers, tutors, or students. Here are some of the tips she had to offer.

Keep an Open Mind
One of the often-overlooked factors that determine success in school is the student’s own mindset. If you’ve ever sat in a classroom yourself, chances are you’ve heard a student say something along the lines of, “this is so pointless” or, “this is so stupid, why do we have to do this?” It’s no surprise that these same students often find themselves struggling with their work pretty shortly thereafter.
Your attitude will directly affect your grades! If you go into something thinking, “hey, I can learn this!”…you probably are right. However, if you have a negative outlook before the class even begins, you are likely to struggle before long. If you are open-minded as a student, you may find that you enjoy classes and subjects that you never would have expected!

Ask for Help!
One of the biggest pet peeves Mrs. E (and many other teachers) has is when students who are having trouble refuse to ask for help. After all, how can a teacher help a student who won’t admit they need it? It’s not always easy admitting that you could use a little help from someone, but believe me, it makes a world of difference! Students who spend extra time with the teacher (or better yet, utilize a tutor or tutoring service) perform much better than those who “go it alone” and stubbornly refuse to seek assistance. In the end, your grades will justify the extra effort that you and the person or persons helping you have put in! Also, consider tutoring other students. Teaching others what you’ve learned will only reinforce your knowledge…and you’re helping someone else while you do so!

Mrs. E is not alone in her feelings. I’ve yet to meet a teacher who would turn away a student who really wanted to improve their work, but needed extra help to do so. Believe it or not, teachers and tutors want to see you succeed! I know, it’s crazy…but it’s true! Teachers don’t like handing out an F any more than students like receiving one.

Whatever You’re Doing, Have Fun!
This goes along with the first piece of advice. Again, if you’re enjoying yourself and have a positive outlook, you’ll perform better! Mrs. E gave plenty of ways to make even the most mundane of subjects fun to study.

For instance, if you’re studying in a group, turn the study session into a game show! Remembering formulas is a lot more exciting when you make a Jeopardy-style game out of it. This way, you’re getting homework help and having a good time. Even if you’re studying alone, reward yourself for your effort with occasional “study breaks”, or search for ways to make the subject one that is more interesting for you. Word problems can help humanize math formulas and procedures, and subjects like history can be more than just memorization, if you learn some of the stories and events that give history a personality of its own! There’s simply no reason that you can’t have fun while you’re doing work, and when you do so, you’re likely to see your grades skyrocket.

I think that teachers like Mrs. E have a lot to share with us about education and how to make more out of ourselves. Whether you’re an English teacher, a grade school student, a math tutor, or just a lifelong learner, remember that it’s up to you to achieve your full potential!