For students experiencing academic difficulties, the first step should be to talk with your teachers one-on-one to see what they recommend for you personally. Also, find out when your teacher is available to help you outside of class and make it a priority to go to those sessions. Second, take advantage of MHS peer tutoring or arrange with your parents to get outside tutoring. Referrals are available in the Guidance and College Counseling Office or see attached for a condensed list of resources: Tutoring and test resources (PDF). Third, take a look at your study skills. Are you spending adequate time on homework and preparing for tests? Do you use study strategies like creating note cards, outlining the text, or drafting an outline for an essay before you begin writing? As always, the Guidance and College Counseling Office is available to assist students who are struggling academically. Please contact your Guidance Counselor for assistance: (626) 817-4031.
National Honor Society (NHS) Peer Tutoring
Free tutoring is available to all students in all subject areas. To set up a session, students should locate the list of NHS tutors on the first floor of the Academic Center, find someone who tutors in their area of need, and contact that tutor using the information listed. This requires initiative and follow-up by the student seeking tutoring but can be a valuable experience.
Work smarter, not just harder!
- Organize and schedule study time. You are in control of results so plan ahead.
- Create a study atmosphere free from distractions. Supply the area with all needed materials.
- Actively read by first surveying the table of contents, pictures, captions, graphs, charts, etc.
- Write down several questions about the surveyed content.
- Read with the intent of discovering the answers to the posed questions.
- Recall the content by writing answers to the posed questions or developing an outline of the content.
- Review the written notes, question responses and the outline.
Good writing demonstrates good education. In all academic disciplines the following writing standards apply:
- Write with a purpose and make a point.
- Write with clarity and be specific.
- Write logically and make sense. Write with accuracy of content.
- Write with precision and use words wisely and well.
- Write within the rules and follow the rubric requirements.
- Write your own paper; plagiarism is stealing.