Albert Einstein, considered the most influential person of the 20th century, was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read. He spoke haltingly3 until age nine. His parents thought he was retarded4. He was advised by a teacher to drop out of grade school5: “You’ll never amount to anything6, Einstein.”
Isaac Newton, the scientist who invented modern day physics, did poorly in math.
Patricia Polacco, a prolific7 children’s author and illustrator8, didn’t learn to read until she was 14.
Henry Ford, who developed the famous Model-T car and started Ford Motor Company, barely made it through high-school.
Pablo Picasso, one of the great artists of all time, was pulled out of school at age 10 because he was doing so poorly. A tutor hired by Pablo’s father gave up on Pablo.
Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the world’s great composers. His music teacher once said of him, “As a composer, he is hopeless.”
Winston Churchill, famous English prime minister, failed the sixth grade.
In spite of their problems at school, these people made something of9 their lives and so can you. If school doesn’t come easily for you it doesn’t mean you’re not smart. There are many types of intelligence. Yet school is based mostly on one kind of intelligence, known as IQ or mental intelligence. IQ is your ability to analyze10, reason, think abstractly, and use language.
But there are other types of intelligence that are as important. For example there’s EQ, or emotional intelligence. People with high EQ have lots of intuition11, can read social situations, and have an ability to get along with other people. School doesn’t test for that. Then there’s SQ, or spiritual intelligence, which represents our longing and capacity for vision12, value, and meaning. It allows us to dream. School doesn’t measure that either. Finally, there’s PQ or physical intelligence. Your body is naturally smart. You don’t have to remind your heart to beat or your lungs to expand.
Your friend may be stronger in IQ and you may be stronger in EQ. One isn’t better than the other. Just different. Be grateful for your unique gifts and talents, and don’t let anyone ever lead you to believe you’re not gifted in some way.
I believe that everyone can get good grades if they want to, even if they have never done well before. Of course, there’s much more to school than getting good grades. But, in general, getting good grades is a sign that you’ve paid the price. What does good grades mean? It’s different for everyone. You must decide yourself. Here are 7 secrets on how to do it.
Secret 1: Believe you can
It all starts with your paradigm13 what you think in your head. You’ve got to believe you can do it. A kid named JoJo shared this.
All through high-school I never got good grades. I was a good athlete but I just thought I could not get good grades. This really hurt my self-esteem. I took these same feelings into college. And, guess what? I did not get good grades I needed to get there.
One day when I was on the computer, an IQ test popped14 on my screen. I remember my parents telling me that I tested very high when I was in elementary school. Well, I did it, and the result astonished me. I scored a 140! I could not believe it. The computer gave me job descriptions of what it thought I would be good at. And, wouldn’t you know, it listed dentistry. My way of thinking changed right then. My next semester of college I got all As and a B+. I wish I had believed in myself in high school like I believe in myself now.
Don’t ever start thinking you’re incapable of getting good grades. Everyone is capable, even those who have done poorly in the past, or may have no family support. It all starts with the belief in your head.
Secret 2: Show up
“Eighty percent of success is showing up,” said the great director Woody Allen. So many kids skip class and wonder why they get bad grades. If you show up to class, good things happen. You’ll be there for that surprise quiz. You’ll be there when your teacher announces that extra-credit15 assignment. You’ll be there when the teacher suggests how to prepare for the upcoming test.
Secret 3: Do extra-credit
Any time your teacher offers extra-credit, do it. Extra-credit assignments are usually pretty easy, but can get you a whole lot of points and help you prepare for tests. Surprisingly, most students don’t take advantage of extra-credit. I remember taking a trigonometry16 class in high-school and no matter how hard I studied, I could never do better than Bs or Cs on the test. But, by turning in all my assignments and doing every bit of extra-credit allowed, I got an A in the class. Ha!
Secret 4: Get on your teacher’s good side17
Say hello to your teacher. Be friendly. Show them respect. Change their perception of you by sitting in the front row. Don’t get paranoid18 by thinking your teacher is out to get you. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they’re not. If you didn’t get your assignment done on time, don’t be afraid to ask if you can hand it in late. Sometimes, they’ll say yes.
Hey, teachers are just like you and me. If you’re nice to them, they’ll be nice to you and give you a break from time to time.
Secret 5: Gather your resources
While I was growing up, my dad would take our family waterskiing each summer. And whenever one of us kids would struggle getting up on skis, he’d yell out from the boat. “Keep trying, honey. You can do it. Gather your resources!” I’ve never forgotten those words. I have figured out what he meant by “gather your resources.”
When it comes to school, gather your resources means you get others involved in helping you get good grades, such as teachers, friends, cousins, grandparents, parents and so on. Find someone that believes in you and cares about you and ask them for help in school.
Secret 7: Develop smart study habits
You’re busy. You have school, friends, work, extracurricular19 activities, and other stuff to juggle20. So, smart study habits are a must.
Smart Study Habits
·Feed your head. Remember, your brain is connected to your body. To work well, it needs food. So, if you’re about to jump into your studies, but you’re starving, grab a bite to eat.
·Right place. Find a good place that is quiet, and where you can spread out all your stuff, like a library or little-used room. Stay away from places where you have the habit of goofing off21. Make sure you have everything you need—paper, pencils, scissors22, stapler23, snacks, so you don’t have to get up constantly.
·Now and later. Organize what you have to do. First, focus on the now, and do whatever is due tomorrow. Second, focus on the later, and chip away at big projects, papers, and upcoming tests.
·Scan, read, drill24. Let’s say you have one hour to study for an upcoming history test on chapter 9. Instead of just reading your textbook and class notes for one hour, try this method instead.
Scan.(10 minutes) Scan chapter 9 and write down or make mental notes of the main headings, key points, key people, key words, key dates, review questions, and so on.
Read.(30 minutes) Read chapter 9 and any notes you may have taken in class on chapter 9.
Drill.(20 minutes) Drill yourself by giving yourself a test. Answer chapter questions or answer questions from your notes, or possible questions form your teacher. Anticipate25 what your teacher is looking for and don’t waste time on stuff you don’t need to know.
阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦，被认为是20世纪最有影响力的人。他4岁才会讲话，7岁才会阅读，直到9岁说话还是结结巴巴。他的父母认为他是个弱智。有位老师建议他不要念小学了：“爱因斯坦，你永远不会有什么成就的。”
艾萨克·牛顿，发明了现代物理学的科学家，数学很差。
派翠·波拉蔻，一位多产的儿童作家和插画家，直到14岁才学会认字。
亨利·福特，发明了著名的T 型车，创建了福特汽车公司，差点儿没念完中学。
巴勃罗·毕加索，史上最杰出的艺术家之一，10岁时被迫辍学，因为他的功课实在太糟了。就连父亲为他请的一名家教，也放弃了他。
路德维希·凡·贝多芬，是世界上最伟大的作曲家之一。他的音乐老师曾经这样说他：“作为一名作曲家，他毫无前途可言。”
温斯顿·丘吉尔，英国著名首相，没能通过六年级考试。
虽然这些人在学校里都存在各种困难，但他们还是没虚度生命，你也可以！如果上学对你来说不是件容易事，那也并不代表你不聪明。智力分很多种，可学业主要考察一种智力，就是众所周知的IQ，或叫智商。IQ主要是指分析、推理、抽象思维及语言运用的能力。
不过还有其它种类的智力同样重要。例如EQ，即情感智商。情商高的人直觉敏锐，他们能掌握社会局势，能和他人融洽相处，学校可不测试这个。还有SQ，即心灵智商。它衡量的是你对眼界、价值观和自身意义追求与扩展的能力。灵商让我们心怀梦想，学校也不考这个。最后还有PQ，即体能智商。你的身体天生灵巧。你不必提醒心脏去跳动，也不用提醒肺扩张。
可能你朋友智商比你高，但你情商比他高。人皆有所长，只不过大家不同罢了。对自己独有的天赋和才能要心怀感激，谁也不能让你有这样的错觉：你在某方面毫无天赋。
我相信，任何人，只要他愿意，都能得好成绩，即使他从没考好过。当然，上学不仅仅就为了考高分。但总的说来，成绩好说明你的付出得到了回报。好成绩意味着什么？每个人都有不同的回答，你得去找自己的答案。下面有7个诀窍教你如何取得好成绩。
诀窍之一：相信自己
首先从你的惯性思维做起。你必须相信自己能够成功。一个叫乔乔的孩子说了他的体会。
上中学起我就没考好过。我是一个出色的运动员，但我觉得我学习成绩不好，这确实伤了我的自尊心。我带着这种心理走进大学，你猜怎么样？我学习成绩从来没合格过。
有天我正在上网，一个智商测试跳入屏幕。我记得父母说过小学时我的智商测试分数很高，于是我把这个测试做完，结果让我大吃一惊。我得了140分！我真不敢相信。电脑还向我描述了我将来擅长的工作。你一定猜不到吧，其中包括牙医。从那时起，我的想法立刻改变了。大学下个学期的课程我就拿到了一个B+，其它全是A。我多希望自己在高中时也能像现在这样相信自己。
不要老觉得自己考不好。每个人都能取得好成绩，即使你以前表现很差，即使你没有家人支持。一切都要从相信自己开始。
诀窍之二：按时上课
“80%成绩好的学生从不缺课。”著名的导演伍迪·艾伦说。很多孩子一边跷课，一边纳闷为什么成绩那么差。如果你去上课的话，你就不会错过那些好事。有突击考试的时候，你会在场；老师布置可以额外加分的作业的时候，你会在场；老师建议如何准备即将到来的考试时，你会在场。
诀窍之三：做额外加分作业
只要老师布置些能额外加分的作业，你一定得做。这些作业通常很简单，但是能为你赢得一大堆学分，助你通过考试。令人吃惊的是，很多学生没好好利用这点。我记得中学时，选修了三角学。无论我多么用功学习，考试成绩从没超过B或C。但是，交上所有作业和所有额外加分的作业之后，我的总成绩拿到了A。哈哈！
诀窍之四 ：讨老师欢心
友好点，向老师问好，向他们表示敬意。坐到教室前排以改变他们对你的看法，不要老是怀疑他们揪你的错。99%他们不会那样做。如果你没按时完成作业，不要怕去问老师能否晚点交。有时他们会同意的。
嗨，老师和我们大家一样。你对他们好他们也对你好，而且会不时放你一马的。
诀窍之六：聚集能量
当我渐渐长大的时候，爸爸每个夏天都带全家去滑水。无论何时，我们中哪个孩子能挣扎着踩上滑水橇，他就会从船上喊道：“亲爱的，加油，你能成功。聚集你的能量！”我始终忘不了那些话。我明白了他所谓的“聚集能量”是什么意思。
用到上学这方面，“聚集能量”意味着要让别人帮助你得到好成绩，比如找老师、朋友、表兄妹、祖父母、父母等等。找个相信你关心你的人，请他们在学习上帮助你。
诀窍之七：培养良好的学习习惯
你很忙：要上学、交朋友、写作业、参加课外活动，还有其它事情要对付，因此培养良好的学习习惯十分必要。
良好的学习习惯
·给大脑补充营养。记住，大脑和身体密不可分。要想学习好，需要营养。因此，如果你立刻要学习，但是很饿，一定得吃点东西。
·合适的地点。找个安静的地方，能把自己所有东西摊开，比如图书馆或是别人很少使用的房间。不要去你可能会三心二意的地方。确保你拿齐了需要的一切——纸、铅笔、剪刀、订书机、零食，这样的话你就不必经常起来找东西。
·有先有后。把你必须做的安排好。首先，集中注意手头的事，并做好明天要上交的。然后，专注完成下面的事，把大任务、试卷和即将到来的测验一点点准备好。
·略读，阅读，练习。比如，要测验历史课本第9章，而你有一个小时准备。那你就不能像往常那样读一个小时的课本和笔记，试试下面的办法。
略读10分钟。将第9章大致看一遍，写下或是默记主要标题、重点、关键人物、关键词、重要日期、复习题等等。
阅读30分钟。把第9章看一遍，并且把所有相关笔记看一遍。
练习20分钟。自己出题测试。回答课后习题；回答笔记上的，或是老师可能问到的问题。预测老师可能出什么样的题，不要把时间浪费在不需要知道的东西上。
1. have what it takes 称职
2. keep one’s chin up 别气馁
3. haltingly adv. 磕磕绊绊地
4. retarded adj. 智力迟钝的
5. grade school <美>小学
6. never amount to anything 一事无成
7. prolific adj. 多产的
8. illustrator n. 插画家
9. make something of 利用
10. analyze v. 分析
11. intuition n. 直觉，本能
12. vision n. 远见，眼光
13. paradigm n. 模式
14. pop v. 突然出现
15. extra-credit 额外加分
16. trigonometry n. 三角学
17. get on sb’s good side 讨某人欢心
18. paranoid adj. 多疑的，恐惧的
19. extracurricular adj. 课外的
20. juggle v. 玩弄，玩耍
21. goof off <俚> 游手好闲
22. scissors n. 剪刀
23. stapler n. 订书机
24. drill v. 练习
25. anticipate v. 预测