School Issues with work and Grades :(

[Lynnie]

Alright so I'm a freshman in highschool and our first report card was issued before Winter.

My average was either 81.3 or 83.3 and that is fairly good for my first card at high school. My lowest mark was in science, being a 72. I really wanted to improve so I tried to work hard. The next report card continues with our first card marks so the marks we got before the break and this term will be together.

Often when I thought I did well, I get a bad mark. Lately I've been getting 60s in my science tests and it's been terrible because in all my years at school, I've never gotten lower than a 70 on my report card. In math, I've been getting straight 69s on tests/quizzes and my report card mark for the last one was 78. I asked my science teacher for any extra credit work and he said it wasn't fair for other kids if I was the only one that did it, but he'll tell me if there are any bonuses. Today we had a math unit test. Terrible. I missed 4 questions because either I didn't know them or I had no time to finish them. Some of the questions I had to guess, and I'm really hoping I get at least a 70, but I'm guessing I'm gonna get a 60 or less. It's very upsetting for me, and it makes me nervous because I don't want my parents to yell at me. I'm Asian, and my mom finished up to high school because she moved to Canada and didn't speak english. And my dad did up to grade 8 I think and I don't remember the reason why. I think something to do with the war or something happening. I have no clue really. But I studied hard for the math test and I guess it wasn't enough for the test. Some people didn't finish the test so hopefully she'll give us something to help us improve our mark. I don't like to think about what my parents' reactions will be if I get lower than a 70.

Thanks for reading this. I just need to let out my upsetting-ness about school. If anyone could help, I would appreciate it very much if you could help me in either math, science, and possible geography when it is needed.

Thanks

[Minou]

Hi, Lynnie:

I know it's upsetting not to be doing as well as you expected, especially if you thought you had done well on something, and are really trying hard. The first year of high school can be tough, so it's really important that you find out what resources your school offers to help you so you don't fall behind and have more trouble later on.

Does your school have a peer-tutoring program through resource? Sometimes students volunteer as tutors to help other students. Does the Math department at your school offer math help at lunch? At the school I work at, there's a Math teacher assigned to the lunch break each semester. Students can go to that classroom for extra help in Math. You may want to talk to the guidance counsellor/resource teacher at your school to see what help is available.

What kind of subject matter are you having a hard time with in Science and Geography? Is it math-based content in those subjects that's causing you trouble, or is it facts, concepts, and memorization? I teach English, not Math, but if you need some help with study skills, I can offer some strategies. PM me if you're interested.

[greentires4me]

Its not the end of the world...I never really got high grade until I went to college then I was like Top 3....I was also the first in my family to go to college and get a Diploma.

Its only one year...you have another 4 years to got right...you can only do your best...but if you need more help ask your teachers or kids who are older who get it they will give you the helping hand you need.

The courses I loved in High school were Geography, Information Technology, History, Social Studies, PE..but maybe this one don't count...lol

Those are still all really good marks 72 is brilliant 64 is good too...as long as you try your best why does it mean that you should push yourself into freaking out over it? its like crying over spilt milk...the milk spilled yet all you wanted was a glass of it now its all over the floor well oh well...now it gives you the chance to drink something else.

You can do anything you set your mind to..or anything you tell your mind not to do that can be achieved as well.

Take care of yourself and take time out to be who you are not something someone else needs you to be!!

[Justine]

Just concentrate on passing high school. I had good marks in high school, but then when I got into university they went downhill because I stopped concentrating on studying so much. And I turned out just fine

[daisybear]

Be sure to talk to your teachers about what your feeling. Your not the first person to have these questions. they will know best where to send you for help.

Sorry to sound like a mom...maybe less time on SC for a month and more study time would help turn your marks around.

[Natalka]

I agree with daisybear, too. And less boyfriend and friends, more concentration on schoolwork.
You must look to the future, and part of that if you are wanting to get into any sort of post-secondary education is having good grades - the competition has been seriously upped this past generation; I know, my son just finished grade 12, so I know what he and his friends have been going through.
Your education is with you forever - though it SEEMS like a social life is crucial, it really isn't. With good organization, you should be able to make time for school first, then bits of everything else - volunteer work, a part-time job, friends, etc.
Definitely look into peer tutoring if your school has it; talk to teachers or the guidance counsellor about it. I know my son could go in for math help daily at lunch time, and he was happy to give up his spare time then to get the assistance he needed.
Good luck!

[Lynnie]

But you guys are making it sound like I should leave my boyfriend and SC, for stuff I don't even like to do. It'll just make me even more depressed.

[Justine]

Everything in modernation Lynnie. No one has any idea how much time you are spending on social things, your bf and so on. They are just offering suggestions. Maybe you can study with your friends?

[etherealone]

Lynnie,

having positive inter-personal relationships at your age, ie: boyfriend, online SC, or the like, is a good thing.

This is the age where you learn to "manage" your life (relationships, PT jobs, hobbies, school). You cannot expect a perfect score all the time.

When I was your age, I kept a journal. IT was valuable to read my entries later to see how far I had come. It kept me positive and hopeful.

If you ever need help with Physics, well, anything science related, OR essay writing, let me know!

Although you need not worry about a few lower marks, the name of the game should be consistency. Try to remain consistent with your marks. Having mid 80's most of the time is better than having a few 90s, some 70's and some 60s's.

[NSangel]

wow lynnie. if your parents are asian, they would put a very high value on education, so your under extra pressure to succeed. (yay parents!) lol.

I would go to each teacher and find out where your weaknesses are. and review your work everynight not just the day before a test (which i'm assuming your studying everynight anyway).

the only other tip i can give u that really helped me thru school is this:

when doing tests, do the problems that are worth the most points first. that way if you run out of time, hopefully you got enuf pts from those.

always show all steps in your work. if anything it shows the teacher how u got to your answer and that u put time into your answer. and make sure it's neat. some teachers ding just for sloppiness altho they don't say that in the mark.

another tip. one that works 99% of the time.n
let us know how u make out this semester. lots of luck!!

oh lynnie don't give up bf's or social time. u need those to chill out and relax. relationships are so important. it's just a matter of balancing it all.

[JumboShrimp]

Lynnie, do your parents actually ask to see your report card? If not, why bother showing them? I am asian too, and my parents were never happy with any test I brought home that was less than perfect. Even if I received the highest mark in the class, but I only got 99%, they would ask me why I didn't get 100%. It really hurt to feel like nothing was ever good enough for them. After a while, i stopped showing them my tests and report cards.

In high school, I averaged 80's and 90's and was near the top of many of my classes. But when I got to university, I started getting 60's even though I did all my homework and studied hard. LOL, that was a truly humbling experience. I felt so very stupid compared to everyone else. I even tried to get tutoring but it didn't help much.

Don't let low grades get you down too much. If you've tried your hardest, then that should be good enough. Everyone has different talents and different styles of learning. You can't be perfect in everything and no one should expect you to be.

I know it must be hard having your parents put so much pressure on you to excel in your education. Try not to let it get to you. When you finish high school and go off to university/college, you will get more freedom. Also, you will probably eventually reach a point where you just don't care what your parents think anymore (like I did).

Besides, it's not good always getting high marks. Your friends and teachers start expecting you to ALWAYS get high marks, and then when you don't, they look at you all disappointed and ask you "What happened??". As if you don't already have enough pressure from your parents!!!

ARGH, I'm so glad my school days are over!!

Anyway, I hope things work out for you Lynnie. Before you know it, school will be over, and then you'll just be dealing with work stress. LOL!

[lekate]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, I was never the greatest at hs, and because of issues, I only did part time courses after i finished hs, got a B+, was admitted as a full time student despite my hs grades :D. Anyways, I hate to say this, but the courses I really wasn't into I didn't do the greatest, but I averaged B's and A's my last two years of university.

Maybe you're just not good at these subjects? maybe you don't like them that much? Maybe hs teaching isn't for you? sure as hell wasn't for me, I think that's why I did much better in university...

Anyways, I'm rambling now, good luck, everything will work out :D also social interaction is very important, meeting and creating connections is one of the most fundamental skills to any career path

[curt81]

Make up a schedule for when to do homework, social activities, etc. Don't give up on your friendships tho. You will just alienate them and they will stop communicating with you.

[jaba]

It's great that your parents are pushing you to get good grades, trust me you'll thank them later on. You can still have a bf, be on sc and get good grades. You and your bf can study together . It's just about organizing what you have to do first, it;ll take a lot of the stress off your shoulders.

[greentires4me]

ya know how Forest Gump said "life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get inside"

its true..there is no direct formula to any of our lives...after high school I did upgrade on English 12 I didn't get any better the year after though. But I bet ya now if i retook it I may understand it all better then I was when I was 17 taking it for the first time.

My sister is 6 years younger then me she dropped out in grade 8 then went back 9 months later. She wished she stayed and learned certain things. She did 3 years of high school in one year so she could graduate with her friends. Now that its been a year since she has graduated she has no pleasure in going directly to college since she does not want to waste money until she knows exactly what she would like to get into like a program of choice like deal.

Some will say high school was the best years of their life...I thought personally it dragged on too long. I thought to myself where am I ever going to be using this idea we learned in math...well I used it to calculate how much money either I was going to have to pay to the government or how much I am going to get in return. Maybe not everything I did in math i use today but percentages and other calculations I do use. Even if the computer is right in front of me I still want to try and do it by hand. In high school I played numerous amounts of sports I mean probably not as many as others but I played Basketball and winter league soccer then in the spring I played school soccer. And to top it all off I also volunteered 30hours a week. I was busy so busy I remember in my grade 10 year I couldn't do it any longer but then came grade 11 and I picked up more hard subjects and realized after awhile I just needed to concentrate and drop a couple sports. I dropped school soccer...then end of basketball for spring league I didn't go and quit. Grade 12 came and I was only playing one sport but massive list of subjects I did take. I spent my whole grade 12 year overwhelmed with the amount of things I had to do just to graduate it felt like grade 8 or grade 7 in some cases. I couldn't wait to leave...and now its like some days I wish I was in School...it was some safety guard there.

Yet anyway...in some cases a social life is necessary in life without our social life we would feel bad about ourselves and create a negative self image. We rely on others when it comes down to things like parties or the latest fashion trend or the latest juicy line about something that is only between our social group. I am pretty sure without friends or social scene we wouldn't go anywhere and just stay in houses and do nothing.

the point is "life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get inside"