I'm Having Some School Trouble

[Knotch_Blade]

I need some real life advice...

 

 

 

I'm 14, and a freshman in high school.

 

 

 

I play soccer and I enjoy that a lot, but I can't commit to my club team anymore; so I just play with my high school.

 

 

 

I also play my X360 like an addict, and my step-dad (30) also a PS3 addict, may give me his old, refurbished PS3, while he's getting the paperwork to move over to Texas from the UK.

 

 

 

I was ranked 7th out of 700+ last semester, but my grades are dropping, firstly due to a bio teacher change that screwed me over.

 

 

 

But I've always been able to maintain straight A's without studying/trying.

 

 

 

I want to maintain these A's throughout high school so I have more choices as an adult...

 

 

 

I suppose what I'm asking is, how can I stay organized and focused on school, and how can I force myself to do homework, at home instead of playing my xbox/pc?

 

 

 

Also, my parents are divorced, and my parents switch off each weekend, and my dad has me and my sister everything thursday evening/friday morning, would it be worth getting them to invest in a laptop for me, so that I can have atleast one thing that is organized that I can take b/w houses?

 

 

 

Thanks for all who answer, this is a pressing problem that is starting to concern me. :)

[Kenshinjapan]

It's all really will power. Unless you really can't control your addictions to games, then you should be fine. It that's a problem, I'm sure there's always a game store nearby willing to take that system off your hands :).

[michel555555]

what i do is use my consoles as a reward. for every good grade i will go on the computer for an hour or so. if i get a bad grade i study for an hour or so.

[warri0r45]

The first stark reality you need to know about is that assessment tends to get harder as you go on. If you want to go to university or do any other tertiary education you'd better kick the X-box habit or else your results will suffer.

 

 

 

What you really need is some will power. There is no silver bullet solution when it comes to school/uni work, I'm afraid.

[fastortoise]

A laptop will make you do even less homework. Your only hope is to get bored of videogames, which will not be for a few more years, but the day will come. I personally thought it could never happen, but even at the age of 17 I went from playing all the time to 2-3 hours a week. You can try cutting back on play time now but you'll just end up reverting back to old habits. Until then, it shouldn't be too hard to keep up the good grades (honestly, at your age, you don't really have too much homework to be worried about).

[Knotch_Blade]

It's not a question of pass/fail...

 

 

 

It more an object of me staying in the top 10% of my class.

 

 

 

I have little homework in reality, but I make it hard for me because I don't do it at home, and do it at school while trying to learn.

 

 

 

How do I harness the will power to study for quizzes/tests and do my homework?

 

 

 

~Knotch

[Kenshinjapan]

It's not a question of pass/fail...

 

 

 

It more an object of me staying in the top 10% of my class.

 

 

 

I have little homework in reality, but I make it hard for me because I don't do it at home, and do it at school while trying to learn.

 

 

 

How do I harness the will power to study for quizzes/tests and do my homework?

 

 

 

~Knotch

 

 

 

As has been said before, there is no magic solution to studying more. You just have to kick the habit and force yourself to work.

[mrsmarty1]

I do this: I always study/finish my work first, and then I go play my 360 or my computer. If you just don't procrastinate, you'll do great. And this is coming from someone with a 4.12 GPA.

[Lenticular_J]

Haha, I do my homework and studying about an hour after dinner every night and I have like a 4.5. Half my classes are blow-offs, and my pre-AP classes give a whole lot to my GPA. Next year I'm gonna half to crank it up, though.

 

 

 

You just have to do your homework first, though, if you really feel like you could do better. I used to be pretty addicted to games, but now they've started boring me. And I'm the same age as you, dawg. :thumbup:

[Knotch_Blade]

Haha, I do my homework and studying about an hour after dinner every night and I have like a 4.5. Half my classes are blow-offs, and my pre-AP classes give a whole lot to my GPA. Next year I'm gonna half to crank it up, though.

 

 

 

You just have to do your homework first, though, if you really feel like you could do better. I used to be pretty addicted to games, but now they've started boring me. And I'm the same age as you, dawg. :thumbup:

 

 

 

 

 

Yea, I guess I'll just have to try and make the change...

 

 

 

And my 100 in Soccer/Orchestra brings my GPA down. :D

 

 

 

~Knotch

[Robert_de_Sable]

The harsh reality is that you're really just going to have to drop the gaming consoles. Unplug them, whatever it takes, but as long as you have the temptation to use them, you're screwed.

[stevepole]

Try making a daily schedule, or like a to-do-list. I tried this for a while, what you do is the night before you make a list of everything that you need to get done the following day and as you complete things you cross them out and once you complete your list then you have "free time". What I did to make sure I would get every thing done is give myself a grade based off of # complete/# of total task. So the first day you get a 2/5, and your like oh [cabbage] I failed. Since nobody likes to fail, you generally improve your performance. Make a game out of it, find something that works for you.

[Lenin64]

Fill the consoles with an explosive substance. it's the only way. Also the most entertaining way.

 

 

 

Or sell them, it's up to you.

[Range_This11]

Haha, High School. Must be a tough life.

[Riku3220]

The only thing I can think of is to double check your answers and when you've done that triple check to make sure everything is right. Also if you know you need to do homework ask whichever parent your staying with to take your 360 into their room until you're finished so you don't get tempted (Assuming this is a really serious addiction)

[Bloodstain]

Try making a daily schedule, or like a to-do-list. I tried this for a while, what you do is the night before you make a list of everything that you need to get done the following day and as you complete things you cross them out and once you complete your list then you have "free time".

 

 

 

This is what I do everyday. I have certain times that I do things and I get angry if stuff upsets my schedule, usually it's homework first when I get home.

 

 

 

Also, to whoever said grading gets harder as you go along, I'd say that kind of depends on teachers/schools. I'm doing much better in university than I did in high school, if you take courses you're interested in and study for the sake of knowledge and not grades you will do much better

[IGoddessI]

I need some real life advice...

 

 

 

I'm 14, and a freshman in high school.

 

 

 

I play soccer and I enjoy that a lot, but I can't commit to my club team anymore; so I just play with my high school.

 

 

 

I also play my X360 like an addict, and my step-dad (30) also a PS3 addict, may give me his old, refurbished PS3, while he's getting the paperwork to move over to Texas from the UK.

 

 

 

I was ranked 7th out of 700+ last semester, but my grades are dropping, firstly due to a bio teacher change that screwed me over.

 

 

 

But I've always been able to maintain straight A's without studying/trying.

 

 

 

I want to maintain these A's throughout high school so I have more choices as an adult...

 

 

 

I suppose what I'm asking is, how can I stay organized and focused on school, and how can I force myself to do homework, at home instead of playing my xbox/pc?

 

 

 

Also, my parents are divorced, and my parents switch off each weekend, and my dad has me and my sister everything thursday evening/friday morning, would it be worth getting them to invest in a laptop for me, so that I can have atleast one thing that is organized that I can take b/w houses?

 

 

 

Thanks for all who answer, this is a pressing problem that is starting to concern me. :)

 

 

 

The first thing I'd like to ask you: Is the reason you can't commit to your soccer club anymore, because of the gaming?

 

 

 

Secondly - Talk to both of your parents and admit to having a problem with video games. Negotiate with them to take everything away from you and limit yourself to one day on the weekend. When your father has you, since he's an avid gamer himself, remove yourself from him. Go to the library and do some work, then have time for games when you come back.

 

 

 

Thirdly - I strongly disagree with getting a lap top. You're addicted to console gaming. If you don't have it available on gaming console, you will resort to computer games. You don't need a newer distraction to studying.

 

 

 

The higher the grade, the more luck won't be on your side. I was a straight A student who hardly turned up for school or studied but sat every exam and finished every assignment on time, it was pretty breezy. Year 12 is different, if you screw it up, you'll screw your choices up.

 

 

 

Alternatively if you want more time to do the things you love, go to TAFE to finish year 11 and 12 instead of high school. They prepare you for your first year of university so much better than high school and they give out higher OP's. The course is called Adult Tertiary Prep if you're interested and you'll only be required to go 3-4 days a week and you can do both grades in 12 months. But that's a while off yet.

 

 

 

Steve has great ideas for time management. I always have a diary handy and write down everything that needs to be done so it gets done. It's also because my memory is shocking.

 

 

 

Hmm I wish there was a general advice forum, not just a relationship advice forum.

[warri0r45]

 

Also, to whoever said grading gets harder as you go along, I'd say that kind of depends on teachers/schools. I'm doing much better in university than I did in high school, if you take courses you're interested in and study for the sake of knowledge and not grades you will do much better

 

 

 

Exactly. I have that attitude as well. There is still a lot more study involved, though; it's not like just being interested makes all the hard work disappear.

[Sam]

 

Also, to whoever said grading gets harder as you go along, I'd say that kind of depends on teachers/schools. I'm doing much better in university than I did in high school, if you take courses you're interested in and study for the sake of knowledge and not grades you will do much better

 

 

 

Exactly. I have that attitude as well. There is still a lot more study involved, though; it's not like just being interested makes all the hard work disappear.

 

 

 

Sure, the work will be the same difficulty, but if you are enthusiastic and interested in the subject(s) you are doing, you percept it as easier.

[RichieMcD]

All I'm going to say as I've been in the exact same situation before, grow a [bleep]ing back bone kid and stop screwing about, you've got to realise how important good results are as they give you the most opportunities in life.

 

 

 

Don't blame your new Bio teacher for dropping grades, you simply haven't compensated enough for the teacher change, Ie you're not studying hard enough to compensate for the crappy teacher.

 

 

 

Quick question, are you social? Social doesn't count as playing with friends online or football, I mean on the weekends do you go and hang out with your friends or just play games? If all you do is play games, you'll most likely be socially redundant by college and going around calling people 'dumb noobs'.

 

 

 

Study harder for school, especially for Bio.

 

Stop blaming non-physical addictions and crappy teachers for your drop in grades, simple fact is kid it seems you have no backbone to actually achieve straight A's.

[Riku3220]

Quick question, are you social? Social doesn't count as playing with friends online or football, I mean on the weekends do you go and hang out with your friends or just play games? If all you do is play games, you'll most likely be socially redundant by college and going around calling people 'dumb noobs'.

 

 

 

 

[hide=Social]1. pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club.

 

2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.

 

3. of, pertaining to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event.

 

4. living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation: People are social beings.

 

5. of or pertaining to human society, esp. as a body divided into classes according to status: social rank.

 

6. involved in many social activities: We're so busy working, we have to be a little less social now.

 

7. of or pertaining to the life, welfare, and relations of human beings in a community: social problems.

 

8. noting or pertaining to activities designed to remedy or alleviate certain unfavorable conditions of life in a community, esp. among the poor.

 

9. pertaining to or advocating socialism.

 

10. Zoology. living habitually together in communities, as bees or ants. Compare solitary (def. 8).

 

11. Botany. growing in patches or clumps.

 

12. Rare. occurring or taking place between allies or confederates.[/hide]

 

 

 

Yeah, none of those definitions state that human interactions must be physical. By being on TIF he is being social. By being on a soccer team he is being social. By playing games online with his friends instead of going to the movies he is still being social

[RichieMcD]

Quick question, are you social? Social doesn't count as playing with friends online or football, I mean on the weekends do you go and hang out with your friends or just play games? If all you do is play games, you'll most likely be socially redundant by college and going around calling people 'dumb noobs'.

 

 

 

 

[hide=Social]1. pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club.

 

2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.

 

3. of, pertaining to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event.

 

4. living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation: People are social beings.

 

5. of or pertaining to human society, esp. as a body divided into classes according to status: social rank.

 

6. involved in many social activities: We're so busy working, we have to be a little less social now.

 

7. of or pertaining to the life, welfare, and relations of human beings in a community: social problems.

 

8. noting or pertaining to activities designed to remedy or alleviate certain unfavorable conditions of life in a community, esp. among the poor.

 

9. pertaining to or advocating socialism.

 

10. Zoology. living habitually together in communities, as bees or ants. Compare solitary (def. 8).

 

11. Botany. growing in patches or clumps.

 

12. Rare. occurring or taking place between allies or confederates.[/hide]

 

 

 

Yeah, none of those definitions state that human interactions must be physical. By being on TIF he is being social. By being on a soccer team he is being social. By playing games online with his friends instead of going to the movies he is still being social

 

 

 

Classify 'social' by the dictionary term if you wish, but as soon as a person hits college if all there social interaction amounts to sports clubs and internet interaction, they'll be pretty much socially dead compared to those who went out with friends on the weekend. I've seen it happen many times when you compare those who went out and those who stayed in.

 

 

 

How will sitting in teach social skills such as interacting with the opposite sex? Being in bars, meeting new people etc etc? Online interaction is quite often very different to normal interaction.

[Lenticular_J]

I don't think he'll be a social [developmentally delayed]. My brother was in the original gaming generation. He didn't do very well in school his last two years, but now he's doing pretty good in college, and he's out at bars or just hanging out with friends most nights.

[Riku3220]

Quick question, are you social? Social doesn't count as playing with friends online or football, I mean on the weekends do you go and hang out with your friends or just play games? If all you do is play games, you'll most likely be socially redundant by college and going around calling people 'dumb noobs'.

 

 

 

 

[hide=Social]1. pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club.

 

2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.

 

3. of, pertaining to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event.

 

4. living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation: People are social beings.

 

5. of or pertaining to human society, esp. as a body divided into classes according to status: social rank.

 

6. involved in many social activities: We're so busy working, we have to be a little less social now.

 

7. of or pertaining to the life, welfare, and relations of human beings in a community: social problems.

 

8. noting or pertaining to activities designed to remedy or alleviate certain unfavorable conditions of life in a community, esp. among the poor.

 

9. pertaining to or advocating socialism.

 

10. Zoology. living habitually together in communities, as bees or ants. Compare solitary (def. 8).

 

11. Botany. growing in patches or clumps.

 

12. Rare. occurring or taking place between allies or confederates.[/hide]

 

 

 

Yeah, none of those definitions state that human interactions must be physical. By being on TIF he is being social. By being on a soccer team he is being social. By playing games online with his friends instead of going to the movies he is still being social

 

 

 

Classify 'social' by the dictionary term if you wish, but as soon as a person hits college if all there social interaction amounts to sports clubs and internet interaction, they'll be pretty much socially dead compared to those who went out with friends on the weekend. I've seen it happen many times when you compare those who went out and those who stayed in.

 

A person isn't a hermit unless they choose to be. Going out with friends every other weekend would only help them be more social to people with personalites like his friends. Atleast by playing online he's talking to hundreds of people with multiple personalities from anywhere in the world.

[Boris5000]

I'm terrible when it comes to studying etc, I just spend my time idle and on forums, not playing games. When I have assignments, I'm always doing them right up to the last minute, which is bad. I do own an Xbox, Laptop and a PC but I'm bored of them... So I just spend time on chat rooms doing nothing (sigh). But good news is, I'm so bored, I'm studying at the moment (doing german)

 

 

 

Ist das ok?