Top 7 Scary Mistakes Students Make in School

AcademicAlly, LLC: October 9, 2024

Since Halloween is around the corner, we figured it would be helpful to try and decrease the fright of the season by identifying some typical scary mistakes students make in school. This is the second in a series of four blog posts.

Waiting until the last minute: don’t wait until the last minute to get your work done.  It will only add up and lead to a hauntingly unpleasant evening the night before the assignment is due.  Break long-term assignments down into smaller chunks and complete them over the course of a few days or longer.

Failing to ask for help: knowing when you need help and whom to ask are key steps to success. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask a teacher or trusted adult or friend for help. Asking for assistance is a sign of strength.

Winging it: bats can wing it better than we can!  Plan out your work and studies so your finished product is one that meets the requirements and leaves you feeling proud.

Sloppy seconds: neatness counts!  Take your time and make sure your work is legible and well-edited.

Assume the teacher doesn’t care: most teachers are absolutely committed to the success of their students.  Go in early or stay late but get the help you need.  You may even discover during these one-on-one meetings that you and the teacher have a lot more in common than you thought you did!

Failing to take notes: yes, it may seem like a tedious step, but taking notes is another way to process information so that you can better process and remember what you are reading and hearing. Ultimately, taking this step may save you from having to review the material, thus saving you time and energy!

Thinking you are alone: you are not alone.  You have teachers, counselors, principals, friends, academic and sports coaches who care about you.  If you are in trouble or feel lost, depressed, or upset, please let someone know so we can help you.

Here’s the Thing: all of these mistakes are avoidable. Take the time to think things through:

                                    When is the task/assignment due?

                                    What steps do I need to take to complete it?

                                    What will get in the way of reaching this goal?

                                    Do I know what I need to do?

                                    Do I need help to figure this out?

                                    Who is the best person to ask for help?

                                    How do I let them know I need help in a way that feels comfortable to me?

                                    How do I complete this with accuracy and neatness?

                                    What are the key ideas in this lecture/reading passage?

                                    Who has done this assignment and might be able to offer some guidance?

The answers to these questions can help you not only get the ball rolling, but they can also help you to get the job done well and on time!