17 Essential School Tips To Help You Get Straight A's

It can be hard to know which steps to take to make your school life easier. Here are 17 of the best school tips to help you out!

Getting straight A’s might sound impossible, but with the right approach, it’s totally doable—no superhuman powers required! Whether you’ve been coasting by with decent grades or struggling to keep up, there are the best school tips to level up without drowning in homework or losing your mind.

We’ve all been there—last-minute cramming, trying to stay awake while finishing an essay at 2 AM, or panicking because there’s just so much to get done. But here’s the good news: these are some of the best school tips to manage school and get those top grades without living in constant stress. In this post, I’m going to spill some of the best study tips to help you crush it in class, whether you’re a natural bookworm or someone who has to work a bit harder to keep things on track.

You don’t have to be a genius to be a straight-A student; you just need the right habits, the best school tips, and a solid game plan. Trust me, once you start applying the best school tips, you’ll be amazed at how much easier school can feel. Here's how you can breeze through school with the best school tips and make those top grades happen!

This post is all about the best school tips for students.

1. Get organized

This is THE #1 technique I have used to get straight A's. It might seem irrelevant but a well-planned schedule and a planner are genuinely the secret to getting doing well in school. It goes beyond just having a neat backpack or tidy desk. Being truly organized means having a system in place that allows you to easily track your assignments and deadlines.

This could be a physical planner where you write everything down, a digital calendar with reminders, or even a combination of both. Whatever system you use, make sure it’s one you actually check daily. It's important to organize your study materials by subject and date, keeping notes, handouts, and important papers in a logical order.

By staying organized, you reduce the stress of scrambling to find things at the last minute, and you can better allocate your time to focus on what truly matters: learning and studying.

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2. Set specific goals

Setting goals is the only way you'll know what you're aiming for. I believe it's almost impossible to get straight a's without setting goals. However, vague goals like "I want better grades" aren’t enough to push you forward. Instead, break down your aspirations into specific, measurable, and achievable goals that you can work toward incrementally. The best way to do this is to set S.M.A.R.T. goals, and I personally swear by this.

Your goals have to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Here are some examples of unspecific goals versus S.M.A.R.T. goals.

• I want to get better grades → I want to raise my math grade from a B to an A by the end of the semester by studying an extra 30 minutes after school three times a week and attending one tutoring session every week.
• I’ll try to study more → I will study 1 hour each night, Monday through Friday, for the next two weeks.
• I need to do my homework on time → I will complete my homework every day by 7 PM for the next three weeks by working on it right after school for at least one hour.

It can seem tedious and boring but I promise it's a foolproof way to ensure that you're doing the work you need to do to get straight a's. Here are some of my favorite S.M.A.R.T. goals I use at the beginning of each school year/ semester to ensure I get straight a's.

• I will get an A in this class → I will get a 100 on my first homework assignment by thoroughly reviewing the assignment guidelines and rubric and seeking feedback from my teacher or a peer before submitting it."
• I will get an A in this class → will score a 100 on my first test by creating a study plan that includes reviewing all class notes and textbook chapters for at least one hour each day for the two weeks leading up to the test, practicing with at least three past tests or sample questions.

These are the two goals I highly recommend at the start of a semester if you're aiming to get straight a's. If you get an A on the first few homework assignments and the first test, you'll already be on track to earning an A in the class. It's a lot easier to break these goals down into more tangible steps. They also provide motivation and momentum, showing you that progress is happening, which in turn encourages you to keep going.

3. Use active learning techniques

A common mistake students make is passive study. Re-reading your notes or highlighting articles, can only take you so far. They aren't effective. So, if you want straight a's it's important that you adopt some active learning techniques. This can be anything like quizzing yourself, making flashcards, or explaining the material to someone else. They help deepen your understanding and improve retention.

When you actively engage with the material, your brain works harder to process and store the information. This makes it easier to recall later. You can also try applying what you've learned to real-life scenarios or linking new information to concepts you're already familiar with. The more you interact with the material, the better your chances of truly understanding it.

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4. Review regularly

Waiting until the night before a test to review is a recipe for stress and limited retention. Regularly reviewing your notes helps reinforce what you’ve learned over time. This makes it easier to recall when you need it.

Set aside a few minutes at the end of each day to quickly go over what you learned in class. This way, you’re constantly reinforcing your understanding and don’t have to cram everything into one intense study session. It might seem unnecessary, but I promise it makes the world of a difference. Regular review could be the difference between an 88 and a 90 in a class.

Regular review also helps you identify areas where you might need extra practice. This allows you to seek help or clarification well before an exam. The key is consistency—studying a little bit each day will help you retain information. It will also reduce the pressure of having to relearn everything all at once.

5. Create a study schedule

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have multiple classes and assignments piling up. BUT creating a study schedule can help break down your workload into manageable pieces.

Start by mapping out your week and designating specific blocks of time for each subject. By breaking your study sessions into chunks, you avoid cramming and give yourself time to absorb the material.

For example, if you have a big exam in a month, plan to study a little bit every day leading up to it, rather than saving it all for the night before. This is another area where being organized is SO helpful. Having a calendar or organization app where you can plan all of this help will help you stay on task. A study schedule also helps you balance your time between school, extracurriculars, and personal life. Don’t forget to build in breaks to avoid burnout—studying for hours without stopping won’t do you any favors.

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6. Join study groups

Study groups can be incredibly helpful, provided they stay focused on the task at hand. If they're available it's definitely a resource you want to take advantage of.

Studying with others allows you to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and fill in any gaps in your understanding. Sometimes, hearing a concept explained by a peer can make it click in a way that your own studying didn’t. Plus, study groups can keep you accountable and on track—when you have others depending on you to show up and contribute, you're more likely to stick to your study schedule. Just be sure the group stays focused on studying and doesn’t devolve into a social hangout. Set clear goals for each session, and make sure everyone contributes to the discussion.

7. Use a variety of study resources

If you're struggling to understand a topic, don’t limit yourself to just one textbook or resource. Sometimes, the way a concept is explained in one book just doesn’t resonate, but another explanation might make it click.

Explore different study materials, such as online tutorials, educational videos, apps, or even podcasts that cover the same topic from different angles. The internet is full of valuable resources. Khan Academy, Quizlet, and YouTube channels are dedicated to explaining school subjects in creative and engaging ways.

When you expose yourself to a variety of explanations and perspectives, you increase your chances of truly grasping difficult material.

8. Be consistent

None of these tips will work if you're not using them consistently. Consistency is key when it comes to academic success.

Building a regular study routine and sticking to it will pay off over time. It’s easy to procrastinate or skip study sessions when there isn’t an immediate deadline. BUT, the more consistent you are, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel as exams and due dates approach.

Make studying a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth or eating meals. By establishing a consistent schedule, you develop good habits that make studying feel more like a natural part of your day rather than a chore.

9. Note-Taking Skills

Good note-taking is more than just writing down everything the teacher says—it’s about listening carefully, identifying key points, and organizing information in a way that makes sense to you.

When you actively engage with the material by summarizing it in your own words, you’re more likely to understand and retain the information. Use bullet points, headings, and color coding to make your notes clear and easy to review later.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions in class if something isn’t clear—clarifying concepts as they come up will save you from confusion later on. Regularly review your notes after class, and try to add any additional thoughts or questions you have while the material is still fresh in your mind.

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10. A Growth Mindset

This can definitely be the most annoying to hear, but it's truly helpful. A positive mindset can make a huge difference in how you approach school and studying. If you go into a subject thinking, “I’m just bad at this,” you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, adopt a growth mindset: believe that you can improve with effort and practice. When you hit a roadblock, don’t get discouraged. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Everyone struggles with something, but it’s how you react to those challenges that sets successful students apart. Staying positive and believing in your ability to improve can make even the toughest subjects feel a little more manageable.

11. Learn from mistakes

No one is perfect, and mistakes are part of the learning process. Whether it’s a bad grade on a test or a missed deadline, use these setbacks as opportunities to reflect and grow.

Ask yourself what went wrong and what you could do differently next time. Maybe you didn’t study enough, or perhaps you misunderstood the material. Instead of dwelling on the failure, focus on what you can learn from it. Identifying your mistakes helps you avoid making them again in the future.

Remember, every failure is a chance to improve, and each lesson learned brings you one step closer to your goals.

12. Manage stress

School can be stressful, especially around exam time or when multiple assignments are due at once. It’s important to learn how to manage stress effectively so it doesn’t overwhelm you.

Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness to help keep your stress levels in check. Exercise, sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet also play key roles in stress management.

When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Sometimes, a short break or a change of scenery is all you need to clear your mind and regain focus.

13. Get feedback

Feedback is one of the most valuable tools for improvement. Don’t wait for report cards or final grades to see how you're doing. Instead, regularly seek feedback from your teachers on assignments and tests.

Ask what you did well and where you can improve. Constructive criticism can help you pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses. This gives you a clearer sense of what to focus on as you move forward. By staying proactive and seeking feedback throughout the semester, you can make the necessary adjustments before it’s too late.

14. Stay engaged in class

Engagement in class is a surefire way to improve your grades and understanding of the material. Sitting at the front, asking questions, and participating in discussions show your teacher that you’re interested and paying attention.

Active participation also helps you stay focused and retain more information. Instead of just passively listening to the lecture, try to make connections between what the teacher is saying and what you already know. Take notes, ask questions if something isn’t clear, and contribute to discussions when possible.

The more engaged you are in class, the less work you’ll have to do later when it’s time to study.

15. Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself is an important part of staying motivated and making progress toward your academic goals.

Set small rewards for yourself when you reach a milestone. Whether it’s finishing an assignment on time, getting a good grade, or sticking to your study schedule. These rewards don’t have to be big or elaborate. It could be something as simple as treating yourself to your favorite snack, watching an episode of a TV show, or taking a break to hang out with friends.

Rewarding yourself is the best school tips. It helps create a positive association with studying and reinforces your commitment to achieving your goals.

This post was all about the best school tips.

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