As you listen, try to put what the teacher is saying in your own words. That’s called summarizing, and it helps you remember what’s being said. It can help to take notes. Write down what the teacher is saying in your own words. Don’t try to get every word down, as you won’t be able to keep up. Just get down the big, important ideas.
Someone else probably has the same question, too, so you’re helping your classmates out!
Set aside time each day to work on the concepts you don’t understand, even if you’ve already moved on in class. If you’re having trouble, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, it just takes someone explaining something a little differently for you to get it. You could talk to your teacher, a friend who understands the material, or your parents. You could even go online to see if you can find a tutorial to help you understand it better.
It doesn’t really matter what you’re reading, as long as you’re reading. Read comic books, novels, picture books, and magazines, or whatever else you like!
Try practicing in front of the mirror. Work on saying things in a voice people can hear, saying your words clearly and distinctly.
For instance, maybe your kid sister broke one of her favorite toys. Look around the house to figure out if you can find a way to fix it! Don’t try to fix appliances on your own, as electricity is very dangerous!
If your city has a museum featuring something you’re interested in, ask your parents to take you!
Learn a new card trick, for instance, or ask a parent to show you how to cook something new in the kitchen. Keep practicing until you can do it on your own! If the first thing you cook is terrible, keep trying until you make something edible, even delicious. You could also take up a new hobby, such as chess, painting, or ballet, or try a new sport. Join a new club or even just get your friends together to try something! Working with other people will inspire you to keep at it.
For instance, maybe you want to build a robot. Great! Maybe your first attempt isn’t so great though, and it falls apart. Figure out why it fell apart and use that knowledge to build your next robot! You didn’t fail; you’re just learning how to do better.
So, for instance, if you’re trying to learn how to make a friendship bracelet, look it up in a book or online first, but then try it out yourself.
You could also ask your parents to get you music lessons.
You could say, “I’d really like to start eating healthier. What can I do to help make healthier meals for us?”
If you have trouble falling asleep, turn off your screens an hour before bed. The blue light from smartphones, tablets, and other screens tells your brain to stay awake! Also, sleep with your phone away from your bed with the notifications turned off.
