Learn what is expected of you. When the semester begins, read over
the course materials and make sure that you understand everything that is
expected of you. If you do not understand something, then ask the instructor to
explain it to you.
- Highlight important details in your assignment sheets and other course materials. For example, you might want to highlight key words for assignments such as “describe,” “argue” “compare,” etc.
- Copy all of the important due dates for your English class in your planner or on a wall calendar to make it easier for you to remember them.
Plan ahead. Figure out how much time you will
need to complete your assignments, read books and essays, and study for tests.
Make sure that you set aside plenty of time to complete these objectives every
week. Procrastinating is a sure way to fail your English class.
- If possible, start your assignments at least a week before they are due. Having plenty of time is especially important for writing essays. Starting early will provide you with more time to develop and revise your work.
- Keep in mind that in college level English courses the majority of your grade will come from assignments that are later in the semester. For this reason, make sure that you do not burn yourself out early in the semester. Take good care of yourself and reserve plenty of energy to finish the semester.
Find a study partner or group. Studying with a classmate or a couple of classmates can
improve your grades and make it easier for you to pass your English class. Plan
to meet at least once per week to study and quiz each other.
- Try to team up with classmates who are good students. Studying with someone who is a good student will make it easier for you to excel in English class than studying with someone who is struggling.
- If you plan to study with a friend or group of friends, it can be easy to get distracted talking about other things. To prevent this from happening, try studying at the library. The quiet environment should make it easier for you and your study group to stay focused.
Speak up. If your instructor ever says
something that does not make sense or that you’d like to know more about, make
sure that you speak up. Raise your hand and ask your instructor to repeat,
explain, or expand on what he or she just said.
- Keep in mind that most instructors are happy to elaborate on a point if it will help you to understand it. Just make sure that you are listening closely because an instructor may find it annoying if you are always asking him or her to repeat things that have already been explained.
