Tips for Getting Good Grades in Math and Science
September 20 2024 | Isabella Hedrich
1. PracticeThe most important thing you can do in a math and science class is practice. Especially in math, learning happens when you work through problems on your own, so it is important to prioritize practice. Usually, most of the practice teachers provide is in the form of homework. The most successful students will not see homework as a task to get through, but as an opportunity to work with the concepts you are learning in class. It is critical that you understand how to solve the problems you are assigned, so if by the end of the homework you still aren’t fully understanding, don’t be afraid to go into the book and do a few more practice problems. If a teacher recommends optional homework or practice problems, you should always try them.
2. Take and Review your NotesA lot can happen over the course of one class period. Especially in accelerated or AP classes, it is not always realistic to expect yourself to fully digest all the material during class. This is why it is important to take notes that you can refer back to and take time every day after school to review the material you learned in class that day and give yourself the time to fully digest what was taught. Don’t be afraid to annotate your notes with questions, connections and practice problems and continue to refer to your notes as you do your homework. If you are still struggling to understand the material when you review your notes, bring the questions you have to class the next day. Don’t wait until right before the test to get help!
3. Focus on Conceptual UnderstandingIn both math and science, there are many rules and formulas. If your strategy in math and science is to memorize all of the rules, algorithms and formulas you come across and try to match the problem you are working on exactly with an example, you may find it very difficult to succeed. A much better strategy is to take the time to understand the reason behind why these rules or formulas work. This will help you remember them, apply them and check your work to make sure it makes sense. 4. Build a Relationship with your TeacherYour teacher wants you to succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help, email them with questions. Your teacher also wants to see that you are trying. This looks like participating in class, attempting every assignment and making use of their office hours. If you end up with a borderline grade at the end of the semester, it may be up to your teacher whether or not to round you up and they will be much more likely to help you get the higher grade if they have seen you putting in effort over the course of the entire semester (not just the last couple weeks).
5. Collaborate with ClassmatesA big misconception in many students is that math and science are less collaborative subjects than English or history. This could not be farther from the truth. In math, one of the best ways to learn is through sharing strategies, talking through reasoning, and comparing finished work with classmates. Try to find a group of people you can study or do homework with.
2. Take and Review your NotesA lot can happen over the course of one class period. Especially in accelerated or AP classes, it is not always realistic to expect yourself to fully digest all the material during class. This is why it is important to take notes that you can refer back to and take time every day after school to review the material you learned in class that day and give yourself the time to fully digest what was taught. Don’t be afraid to annotate your notes with questions, connections and practice problems and continue to refer to your notes as you do your homework. If you are still struggling to understand the material when you review your notes, bring the questions you have to class the next day. Don’t wait until right before the test to get help!
3. Focus on Conceptual UnderstandingIn both math and science, there are many rules and formulas. If your strategy in math and science is to memorize all of the rules, algorithms and formulas you come across and try to match the problem you are working on exactly with an example, you may find it very difficult to succeed. A much better strategy is to take the time to understand the reason behind why these rules or formulas work. This will help you remember them, apply them and check your work to make sure it makes sense. 4. Build a Relationship with your TeacherYour teacher wants you to succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help, email them with questions. Your teacher also wants to see that you are trying. This looks like participating in class, attempting every assignment and making use of their office hours. If you end up with a borderline grade at the end of the semester, it may be up to your teacher whether or not to round you up and they will be much more likely to help you get the higher grade if they have seen you putting in effort over the course of the entire semester (not just the last couple weeks).
5. Collaborate with ClassmatesA big misconception in many students is that math and science are less collaborative subjects than English or history. This could not be farther from the truth. In math, one of the best ways to learn is through sharing strategies, talking through reasoning, and comparing finished work with classmates. Try to find a group of people you can study or do homework with.