Tenth Grade Success Tips
It’s 10th grade. You’ve got your schedule, you’re in all the AP classes you were dying to get into, and it seems like everyone is taking their life very seriously. You don’t have time for all the extracurricular you’re expected to be in, let alone anything else. Do you have a social life? Can you even remember what one feels like?
What is 10th grade going to be like for you? Will your best friend from 8th grade still be there by your side, or will a new group of friends take her place? What does college and career planning look like now that freshmen year is over and the real world is staring you in the face? What happens if it all becomes more than you can handle?
We’ve compiled a list of tips that will help you successfully navigate your way through 10th grade.
10 Tips to Succeed in 10th Grade
- Get enough sleep.
You need a good night’s rest to wake up ready for your day, and you can never catch up on lost sleep. Getting enough sleep will help you be more focused during the day, feel less stressed out about life in general, and make better decisions when it comes time to study
Sleep deprivation can impair your mood, health, memory, ability to learn, athletic performance, job performance, quality of life, and it can even increase your risk of depression.
- Keep up with school work even when you’re busy
School comes first. No matter what is going on in your life, there’s no excuse for not keeping up with school work when you have deadlines approaching. Sometimes it seems like everything else in your life is more important than school and that you can just catch up later, but guess what: School always comes first. If you keep pushing it off, you might not ever get around to it.
- Socialize/ Have fun!
10th grade can be a lonely place if your friends from 8th grade move on to other schools or into different social circles. It can also be a lonelier place if you’re not hanging out with anyone at all. Make an effort to be social and do things that you enjoy even if it all seems a little overwhelming at times!
- Prioritize your extracurricular
Make a list of everything you’re doing, from sports to volunteer work to clubs, and take a look at your schedule to see what is going on when. If you’re out of town for a tournament during your club’s special event, it might be best to take a break from that club until the schedule is more manageable.
It’s not fair to expect yourself to be at every event or practice when you have so much going on in your life!
- Get along with your parents/ guardians
Even if you’re a little annoyed with your parents for some reason or another, try to be nice. If something is going on in your life that is causing frustration for you, don’t take it out on them! You might feel more overwhelmed than ever when they add on more homework, but the last thing you want is to have your mom drop you off at school every day because you haven’t gotten along with her in weeks!
- Prepare for college/ career options
Now that freshman year is over, it’s time to start thinking about your future. What are your interests? Where do you want to work? What colleges are you interested in applying to? Look into these options, and be sure that you are aware of deadlines for applications. Also, familiarize yourself with the scholarships available to your age group! The earlier you get started, the better!
- Keep up with world events
It’s good to be informed about current events at all times, but it’s especially important in 10th grade because you might be asked about them in class, and it will become more and more relevant as you get older. You can always read the newspaper or watch the news to stay up to date!
- Take care of yourself
If you’re running on four hours of sleep each night because you just can’t catch up, it’s probably time to take a break and prioritize yourself. If you’re not feeling well, stay home! It’s important to take care of yourself in order to succeed in school and life.
- Shop for new clothes/ accessories
You need to look the part for high school if you want people to see you as an equal peer rather than just a little kid tagging along. Get a fresh new look! It could be the difference between being noticed and staying unnoticed, and that’s something you definitely want at your school.
- Stay organized
You’re going to have a lot of information coming from different directions, so it’s important to stay organized when it comes to homework, tests, projects, etc. You don’t want to lose your work, and you don’t want to fall behind. Stay on top of it!
- Ask for help when you need it
No one expects you to know everything right away, so if you get stuck, don’t be embarrassed about asking your teacher or another peer for help. Be proactive in figuring out how to do your work, and don’t put it off until the last minute. That can be a good way to avoid procrastination but a bad way to learn!
What are the Most Important Things to Remember in 1oth Grade?
- Always do your best on all of your assignments
- Keep track of when each assignment is due
- Plan for which tests and projects you’ll complete within a specific timeframe
- Organize your school supplies
- Make a study schedule so that you don’t get overwhelmed with studying
- Manage your stress
- Make time for family and friends
- Take some risks once in a while
- Have fun every chance you get
What Should I Do If I’m Struggling With One of My Classes?
If you’re having a difficult time in class, it’s wise to immediately talk about it with your teacher or guidance counselor. They’ll give you advice on how to understand better the course material, such as connecting with the subject by writing about it, talking to them during their office hours, or finding past assignments online so you can see what to expect from future tests and projects.
What Should I Look For in a College?
You’ll want to search around and find colleges that offer your dream course of study and the scholarships you’re qualified for. Visit each school and talk with people who attend. They can help you better understand what it’s like to be a student there, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and get their input.
What Do I Need to Know About College?
You should start talking with teachers and guidance counselors as soon as possible, but don’t feel like you’re too young to learn more about college. Ask them how to begin planning your future and take advantage of their knowledge about higher education.
Will I Have A Lot of Homework in My Classes?
Yes! You’ll want to complete as much as possible each night so that you don’t forget about anything due the next day. If you struggle to keep up with your homework, talk to your parents about how you can better organize yourself at home.
10th Grade FAQs
What are AP classes?
AP stands for Advanced Placement, and the courses are college-level classes offered at your school. If you pass the final exam with a certain score, you can earn college credit when you begin attending university.
Will I have to do more homework than ever before?
Yes! It will feel like there is an endless supply of homework from all your classes, but it’s essential to stay on top of everything. How much time should I spend on each subject?
It depends on the nature of the class and how well you understand the concepts taught within that particular course. If you struggle with a subject, it would be wise to put in more time at home to help you figure out what you’re doing wrong.
How can I make my parents happy with my grades?
No one is perfect when it comes to grades, so if your parents are unhappy with how you’re doing in some of your classes, talk to them about it. Make sure they know that this is your first time dealing with a more challenging course load and that you’ll try harder next time around.
Is there anything else I need to do?
Yes! You’ll want to make a list of all the people that will influence your life in 10th grade and beyond. These are the people that you’ll want to take advantage of as much as possible, so try to learn from them every chance you get.
Will I need a special planner?
Yes! A planner is an excellent way for you to stay organized throughout the school year. Without one, you’ll forget about important assignments, tests, and projects that are due soon.
Do I have to join any clubs or teams?
Maybe! It would be wise to join at least one activity during 10th grade because it will help you make friends and gain new skills. If there’s something you’re passionate about, then joining a club or team might be an excellent way for you to explore it further.
Who will help me during my first round of tests?
Your teachers and parent(s) should be there for you when it’s time to take important assessments. It might not always be the same teacher that helps you get ready for a test, but they’ll do their best to provide you with as much instruction as possible.
What if I have a lot of homework over the weekend?
You can ask your parents or older siblings for help, but be flexible with what nights you accomplish your assignments. If you know there’s a project due soon and another one coming up, divide the work evenly, so it doesn’t all pile up when you’re busy.
What if I’m having trouble understanding my homework?
If you need more explanation on a specific assignment or concept that has you stumped, then talk to your teacher or guidance counselor about what steps you should take next. If the problem is with an online quiz or pretest, you can post any questions on their website or go to their office hours for additional assistance.
What if I forget about a test?
If you don’t remember about an upcoming assessment, your parents and teachers should be able to point you in the right direction quickly. You’ll need to find out when it’s scheduled, how long it will be, what the requirements are for signing up, and when you can expect to receive your grade.
What if I miss a test or don’t do well on it?
If you have to retake an assessment, talk with your teacher about how you might feel during the next one. They’ll provide support so that you can get back on track.
What if I need to improve my grades?
Check out your school’s tutoring program, after-school learning center, or peer tutoring hours. You should also develop a better study routine so you can go over any work that might have been difficult to understand the first time around.
Do I have to pay for college?
You may need to supplement your education with a part-time job, but you shouldn’t have to pay full tuition or housing costs. You can look into free resources such as community colleges and work-study programs so you can save money while pursuing higher education.
What should I do if I’m struggling academically?
It’s smart to tell your teacher or guidance counselor about the problems you’re having with a course. They can help connect you with tutors or mentors who can assist in a specific subject, such as Math and Science.