by M. Halyard

Created on: December 29, 2010   Last Updated: January 02, 2011

The challenges of high school can be overwhelming to many young adults. Tests. Homework. Boy/girl friends. Extracurricular activities. Peer pressure. Parental pressure. The crushing weight of negative self esteem. However, the trick to success in high school is never to allow any of these pressures to become so debilitating that one gives up and concedes defeat (fails to graduate). Each pressure can be handled with some effort, support, and a positive attitude.

Tests. Nobody enjoys them. Between standardized tests that will dictate whether or not a high school student graduates or goes to a chosen school (no pressure there) and midterms/final exams for core subjects, tests are a challenge for many.

Standardized tests are designed to measure how students perform in critical reading, math, and sometimes science versus other students in a given population. The best preparation for these types of test is to get adequate rest before the exam, eat a breakfast with protein (to regulate blood sugar), and to do one's very best, using any extra time to check over one's answers.

Subject tests are different: these are periodic tests that measure how well students are keeping up with material that has been presented during a class. In order to do well on subject tests, one must study. How? By reviewing class notes, practicing sample problems, and memorizing any curriculum that seems likely to be on the test given a teacher's guidelines. 

Homework. Many high school students receive poor grades because they just do not hand in homework. Usually, homework is worth anywhere from 25-50% of a student's semester grade. A low grade on homework can easily drag a student's semester grade from an A to a C, or a C to an F. Yet, many students just say no to homework and accept the zero with perfect equanimity. Why? Homework is generally designed to reinforce lessons learned in a classroom. It deserves an honest attempt.

Boy/girl friends. If the demands of a relationship are interfering with high school performance, one should ask oneself whether that relationship is a positive or negative with regard to one's life plans? Too many students drop out of high school every year because a relationship torpedoes their success in school. There will be a time for relationships after high school; ask any adult.

Extracurricular activities. Some activities, like participating on sports teams, band, chorus, drama, or student government,

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