It's not easy to measure success in high school. Are 4.0 grades a measure of success? Is being a class president a sign of success? Is being fulfilled in general a success indicator? Each student's definition of success will be different, but the strategies for achieving that success are usually the same.

Listed below are ten ways high school students achieve success, enhance their learning opportunities and prepare for life after graduation. If you follow these ten steps, you will succeed both as a high school student and as a college student. Set yourself up for success in college now by developing the mindset and work habits that will help you not only succeed in high school but also succeed after graduation.


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Looking for advice from some of the most successful high school students? Take a look at these ten things they do.

1. Determine your short- and long-term objectives

Developing your goal setting skills takes time. Some might even describe it as an art. Knowing how you work and what motivates you will be the key to setting a successful goal. Making impractical goals makes it difficult to achieve them.

Setting realistic long-term goals and then deducing backward from them to set more modest short-term goals will serve as a building block. Next, make a plan to accomplish the goals you have set. You should keep yourself accountable for your work and break your work up into manageable chunks. Sometimes, it can even be useful to coordinate with your peers so that everyone is held accountable to one another as well.

For instance, During your study session for any AP course exam, you should set some smaller goals as an aid to preparation. The process of getting study books, signing up for online study programs, and completing tutorials can be broken down into smaller, more manageable chunks by setting a deadline.

2. Perfect the art of time management

Your ability to manage your time effectively will optimize your performance in various areas of your life. Study schedules should be made and adhered to, organization systems that work for you should be developed, and multitasking should be mastered.

If you would like to learn more about organizing your time effectively, have a look at our blog posts An online student’s guide to time management and the Importance of time management.

These articles will help you to find out how to use organizing systems to accomplish your goals, such as using a planner, a to-do list, and prioritization.

3. Maintain a Balanced Load of Courses

Finding a balance is a challenge for many students. Overextending yourself by taking classes that are challenging and then adding even more challenging electives on top of it might hurt your grades. You might also feel bored if you do not take enough challenging courses that challenge you, or you might find that you have fewer options when it comes to applying to colleges.

Determine the right balance of courses for you early on in your high school career. The first year in college is an excellent opportunity to try out a variety of challenges and subjects to determine what works best for you. You should choose core subjects that are challenging but will not overwhelm you, and then electives that are of interest to you should balance it out.

4. Engage in extracurricular activities

High school students who succeed do not disappear from the world outside of the classroom. Their involvement in their communities is also evident. Make a difference by advocating for issues that affect students. Become familiar with the issues that affect your community and use your voice in a constructive way so that others will listen to you.

High school students who succeed are those who are capable of speaking out and making a positive difference in their communities.

5. Take part in class discussions.

It seems obvious, but many students think that their participation will be less important if they study and achieve high grades. Despite this, successful students tend to view participation in class as a means to an end. Taking part in class is a valuable way for students to become more engaged in their learning and to remember information more easily since thoughtful questions and considerations make new material more meaningful.

You can also demonstrate that you are paying attention and thinking critically about the materials presented to you by participating in class. Participating regularly in class discussions makes teachers think that you are a committed student.

6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

As a student, a participant in extracurricular activities, and someone who prepares for standardized tests effectively, sometimes you neglect to be a model of commitment to yourself.

Taking good mental care of yourself, getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking good care of your body are all essential for success. No matter how prepared you may be, if one of these is not in place, you cannot reach the peak of your performance. Ensure your ability to follow through with the rest of your commitments by putting yourself first.

7. Know what you're passionate about

The time in high school is not just for proving how intelligent you are and how capable you are of taking on college-level work. Additionally, you should see it as a chance to explore what interests you the most. Identifying and following one's passions leads to better engagement and motivation for students. Consider a variety of extracurricular activities and take part in activities you are truly passionate about. The passion for these activities will show through and can even inspire a career choice in the future. Passion cannot be faked and could even inspire a future major in college.

8. Say no when you need to

In addition to academics, you can over commit yourself in other areas as well. Students and community members who are committed to school activities and duties may also overextend themselves. The homecoming committee would certainly appreciate your leadership. Your friend needs help for the History AP exam and they would want you to tutor them or you are thinking of organizing a fundraiser for the food pantry. How will your other commitments be affected, though, if you take on all these tasks?

In order to be successful, students must learn to say no gracefully and humbly. You can consider saying something like 'Thank you so much for considering me for this important role, but I do not have the time to devote to it at this time. Nonetheless, feel free to reach out again”. Your response lets others know you appreciated the opportunity and may be available at a later date.

9. Gain leadership experience

What could be even more remarkable than a four-sport varsity career? Almost every admissions committee would say that it would be ideal if you were able to progress in one sport from JV to team captain over the course of four years, or even to team manager if you were not chosen to play on the varsity team. The advancement of this position demonstrates the respect you have among your peers for your dedication and hard work.

Additionally, other activities have the same effect. Consider focusing on a few activities and achieving leadership positions rather than participating in many activities. Those who succeed in school know you can stand out more than simply by attending a large number of weekly meetings.

10. Create a support system and use it

It may seem like self-sufficiency and strength to handle all this by yourself, but the most successful students are those who utilize the educational resources available to them. Ensure a support system is in place even if you never use it, like establishing relationships with teachers and peers, visiting the writer's center, or connecting with study hall teachers.

Furthermore, if you need further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to the appropriate resource. Do not wait until you are drowning before you call for help; instead, let others know that you are confused or anxious and let them help you before you get overwhelmed.

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