Even when you have a great teacher, schoolwork is stressful and difficult. So when you get a bad one? It can feel like the world is going to end. Here’s how to successfully make it through the year.
Meet outside of class
When you and a teacher don’t mesh well, the best way to understand their thought process is to meet with them one on one outside of class. Differing conceptions of what is acceptable can often lead to low grades, so talking one on one will give you a better sense of their expectations for your work. Obviously, not all teachers have the same standards, so you’ll need to figure out what exactly each individual teacher wants you to do.
Borrow notes
If your class is taught by more than one teacher, ask if you can borrow a friend’s notes. Hopefully their teacher is better than yours and you can at least get a better understanding of some of the concepts you are both learning.
Think of lots of questions
If you’re having trouble in a class, the only way to help yourself is to figure out exactly what’s wrong and try to solve the problem. So try to formulate lots of specific questions that you can ask when you meet with your teacher.
Turn to the Internet
If you’re having trouble understanding a concept, there are lots of websites and videos that can help you. For math, try Khan Academy. On YouTube, I recommend CrashCourse (everything from econ to science to literature), SciShow (science), and Bozeman Science (AP sciences).
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