How to Make All A's in High School

Getting good grades in high school can help you get into the colleges of your choice and set you up for success later on in life. Finishing high school with all A’s is a big goal that will take a lot of work, but if you commit to your studies, keep up on your work, and ask for help and support when you need it, you’ve got this. Just make sure you strike a balance between school and taking care of yourself. That way, burnout and stress won’t get in the way of achieving your goals!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Succeeding in the Classroom

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1
Take strategic notes in class. Don’t worry about writing down everything your teacher says—that would take too much time and not be super helpful when it comes time to study. Instead, write down key phrases, definitions, and points that your teacher brings up. If your teacher emphasizes something while they’re talking, writes it on the board, or brings it up multiple times, that’s a good sign that you should write it down in your notes.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Try out different note-taking methods to find the one that works best for you. For example, you can try the Cornell note-taking method, where you write all of your notes on the right side of your page, any questions you have on the left side, and a summary of that day’s lesson on the bottom of the page.
- Consider color-coding your notes with different highlighters so they’re easier to read through when you’re studying. You could highlight key terms one color, important events and dates another color, and so on.
2
Participate during all of your classes. For certain classes, class participation might make up a percentage of your grade. Even if it doesn’t, participating in class can help you better remember the material, and it will show your teacher that you’re serious about doing a good job. If your teacher asks questions or opens the floor to a class discussion, don’t be afraid to jump in and share your perspective.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you’re worried you won’t have anything to say out loud during class, come prepared with a few notes from the previous night’s reading or homework. That way, you’ll have a few talking points ready to go.
Tip: Sit at the front of the classroom if you can choose your seat since it will make it easier to stay focused and participate.
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3
Ask questions during and after class if you’re ever confused. Asking questions and admitting you don’t understand something can be a little intimidating, but it’s super important if you want to get good grades in all of your classes. Otherwise, if you don’t clear up your confusion, it could come back to hurt you later on when you’re taking a test. Ask your teacher a question if something they’re explaining in class doesn’t make sense to you, or wait until after class and ask if that’s easier.
- If you have a question about something, there’s a good chance that other students in your class are wondering the same thing. You’ll be doing everyone a favor by asking your teacher.
4
Develop good relationships with your teachers. Always be polite and friendly when you’re interacting with your teachers. Avoid chatting or texting in class, and try not to break any of the other rules. Your teachers are there to help you, and the better a relationship you have with them, the easier it will be for you to succeed and get good grades.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Doing your homework on time, participating in class, and asking for help when you need it will all help you develop a better relationship with your teachers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Studying Effectively

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Choose a space that’s free of distractions, like your bedroom or the library. Make sure you have a desk and comfortable chair to work at, along with any study supplies you might need, like highlighters, pens, and a computer. You’ll be doing a lot of studying throughout high school, so you want an inviting space where you can hunker down and focus.^{[4]XResearch source}
2
Study regularly instead of cramming at the last minute. Everyone is different, so it might take some trial and error to find a study schedule that feels right. In general though, set aside some time after school each day to study instead of saving all your studying for the last couple of nights before an exam. Cramming your studying into one or two nights will make it harder to actually learn the material, and you’ll just feel more stressed.^{[5]XResearch source}
- For example, you could spend 15 to 30 minutes after school each day reviewing the material from all of your classes. Or, you could dedicate 1 to 2 hours per week to reviewing everything you learned that week. Studying routinely instead of only when you have a test coming up will make it easier to memorize what you’re learning, and you’ll be much more prepared when a test rolls around.
3
Identify your learning style so you know the best way to study. There are 4 main learning styles: visual, auditory, linguistic, and kinesthetic. Visual learners learn best using things like images, graphs, and maps. Auditory learners learn best by listening and talking to people. Linguistic learners prefer reading and note taking to help them learn things. Kinesthetic learners like to learn by doing activities and trying things for themselves. If you know which one or two learning styles you prefer, you can use that to make your study sessions more effective.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you’re a visual learner, color code your notes so they’re easier to study and draw pictures, figures, and diagrams while you’re studying to help you memorize the material.
- If you’re an auditory learner, try reciting mnemonics and rhymes out loud to help you memorize things. You can also read your notes aloud and ask someone else to quiz you on what you’re studying.
- If you’re a linguistic learner, reread chapters from your textbook and take notes on them as you’re studying.
- If you’re a kinesthetic learner, try doing activities related to the material you’re studying, like making flashcards or coming up with a game.
Study breaks can help your brain recharge and prevent you from getting burnt out. It might feel like taking a break to do something relaxing is a waste of valuable study time, but studying for too long can actually make it harder to concentrate, and your brain won’t retain as much information.^{[7]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Doing Your Homework

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1
Keep track of all your homework in a planner. Keep the planner in your school bag. Then, whenever you get homework, write it down right away in your planner so you don’t forget about it. Keeping track of what homework you have and when it’s due will help you stay organized and prevent you from missing important assignments that can impact your grades.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Everyone forgets about assignments sometimes. It happens! Having a planner is a good backup in case you do forget.
- If you do end up missing homework for some reason, talk to your teacher about it. Tell them you know you messed up, and ask if you can turn it in late. You might not get full credit, but they still might give you some points, which is better than not turning anything in at all.
2
Do your homework right after school every day. It might be the last thing you want to do after a long day at school, but that way you won’t forget about it or procrastinate too long. Plus, if you have any questions or get confused by something, you’ll have more time to ask for help and figure out a solution.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you do your homework right after school, you’ll have the whole rest of the evening to just relax. On the other hand, if you keep putting it off until later at night, it will just be weighing on your mind all evening.
3
Plan ahead for bigger assignments. If you have a major project, paper, or other assignment that’s coming up, schedule plenty of time to work on it so you don’t end up scrambling to finish at the last minute. You can even start earlier than you need to and just get it over with so it’s one less thing on your plate. Write the due date for the assignment in your planner, and then write reminders on the days in between now and then so you don’t forget about it.
- For example, if you have a research paper due in 6 weeks, don’t wait until the last week before it’s due to get started. Instead, start brainstorming and researching right away. The more time you give yourself, the less stressed you’ll feel and the better work you’ll produce.
Turning in incomplete or wrong homework can negatively affect your grade, and it can put you behind for the following day’s class. Instead of risking it, ask your parents or a friend in your class for some advice if you feel stuck. You can also meet with your teacher before class if you have time and let them know that you’re struggling. That way, you’ll clear up any confusion, get a better grade on your assignment, and be more prepared for the classroom discussion and future test.^{[10]XResearch source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Taking Care of Yourself

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1
Get 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. The temptation to stay up late on school nights is real, but not getting enough sleep can actually impact your grades and make you feel stressed. If you’re tired in class, you won’t be able to focus and take good notes. If you can’t focus or take good notes, you won’t learn the material, and you’ll have a harder time studying for tests. It’s not always easy, but try your best to go to sleep early and at the same time every night so you feel rested and alert in class.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Avoid eating, exercising, or drinking caffeine before bed since it will make it harder to fall asleep.
- Try to avoid looking at screens for 1 hour before you go to bed. The light from screens can make your body feel more awake and interfere with your sleep cycle. Instead, try reading a book, taking a bath, or drawing in a sketchbook before bed.
2
Get in a little exercise on most days of the week. Exercising regularly can actually help your brain function better and reduce stress. Find some form of exercise that you like and do it for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Any kind of physical activity you enjoy can count as exercise, like playing sports, riding your bike, dancing, or running.
3
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Not only will a healthy diet make you feel better physically, it can also make it easier to concentrate in school. Try to limit foods that are high in saturated fat and simple carbs, like soda, desserts, processed meats, and packaged cookies. Instead, focus on eating fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} Some specific foods that may make it easier to concentrate in school and while you’re studying include:^{[14]XResearch source}
- Salmon
- Blueberries
- Green tea
- Spinach
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
4
Use relaxation techniques to de-stress. Trying to get straight A’s in high school can be super stressful sometimes, so it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress that work for you. Set aside some time each day, like an hour every evening, to unwind and shut your brain off for a bit. A few relaxation techniques you can try include:^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Tip: If stress over your grades is causing you lots of stress, talk with a school counselor about it.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Do you want to make your studying more efficient, learn more quickly, and remember more information? Check out these expert articles.

1

Study For Exams

2

Study So You Can Remember Everything

3

Make a Study Space

4

Create Good Study Habits for Exams

5

Learn Without Forgetting

6

Retain Information when You Study for a Test

Expert Q&A

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Question
How can I study smart?
Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.
Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Expert Answer
Give yourself breaks as rewards to motivate your study sessions. For example, every 30 minutes or hour that you study, take 10 minutes off as a break. In that time, you can go for a short walk, make a snack, or watch a few minutes of a show you like. Then you can get back to studying feeling refreshed and ready to go until the next break.
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I'm a freshman and I don't know my goal yet, is that bad?
Community Answer
No, take your time deciding what you want to do. There are a lot of people who switch majors in college, and plenty of adults figuring out what they want to do as a career. Focus on your grades; the better your grades, the more opportunities that will be available to you when you do make your decision.
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How can I balance school work, activities, and family time?
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When you get home, do school work, then other activities and then you can spend the later hours to relax with your family.
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