The world of education is becoming a globalized one. From Black History Month to Earth Day to Gay-Straight All-Night Schools, the year 2011 was packed with events that highlighted the importance of education for our future. With more people than ever before looking to learn from a variety of sources, schools have a never-ending supply of ideas and resources to help students succeed in school. But just because there are so many resources doesn’t mean that all schools are successful. In order to be successful in school – the 21st Century guide has outlined some important principles and strategies that ensure fair competition, positive peer relations, active learning and student motivation.
text
## Have fun learning Yes, school is hard work. But it’s also challenging, engaging and filled with opportunities to have fun. Learning has its rewards, and these will come more naturally to those who choose to put in the work. However, some students may feel pressure to perform because of the way the school environment is set up. If this is the case for you, it can be difficult to relax and have fun when you’re in school. If you’re finding it harder to have fun in school, you may benefit from the following tips to help you succeed. ## Be an active learner Active learning is the key to success in school. While it might feel natural to ‘listen’ to what your classmates are saying, paying attention and actively engaging with what others are learning can improve your study habits and make you a better student overall. When you’re in class, try to put your own two cents in by asking questions, looking for solutions and offering help where it’s needed. You may also want to look out for yourself and your own needs. If you have a question or a problem to solve, look it up online or ask a teacher. When you’re studying, take notes or record what you’re learning. This can help you retain information and focus on the material at hand. If you’re having trouble remembering information, try to pay attention to what’s happening in the room and outside of it. Pay particular attention to the people around you and what they’re saying. If you’re having trouble focusing, try to look outside of yourself and see what other people are doing. There may be something else you can do to help. ## Make learning a priority Your school day shouldn’t be spent worrying about what you don’t know. If you’re having trouble keeping up in class, it’s important to make sure that your attention is on the right thing. If you’re having trouble remembering details, it’s important to keep your interest in the material top priority. Not only will this help you to remember what you’ve learned, it will also make you more likely to put in the work for the rest of the year. If you have to write an exam or a project, make sure that your attention is on that instead of being distracted by what you don’t know. Finally, if you’re having trouble staying focused, try to find a task that can be completed while you’re paying attention to your schoolwork. This could be anything from copying and pasting information into a word document to doingodle drawings while you’re studying. Whatever you do, don’t let your schoolwork become a distraction or a priority of your own. Let your schoolwork be the priority it should be – and your schoolwork will follow. ## Create an intimidating environment The more you make an effort to create an intimidating learning environment, the less likely students will feel comfortable enough to speak up. This may seem like basic school etiquette, but in many schools, it’s neglected or overlooked. If you’re making a point of ordering students to stand or sit in certain ways or using a ‘silent’ class to torture quiet students, you’re probably doing them a big disservice. The fewer distractions you leave around, the more you’ll encourage your students to be quiet and reserved. If you have trouble making friends, or you find that you spend more time in your own head than in the real world, this is one area that you can work to improve. Try to be as genuine and open-minded towards other students as you would like to be yourself. If you’re thinking that they have something that you don’t have, you can also do this. And if you’re struggling to make new friends, you can also do this. If you want to, try making a list of the ways that you want to be a better friend to other students and see if you can make it a priority to work on it. And if you want to be more active, there are plenty of clubs and organizations that you can join that will bring out the best in you. ## Encourage students to speak up It’s easy to feel stuck in a way that you can’t progress in your education. This may be because you feel like you don’t belong there, or because you feel like you’re being pushed in the wrong direction. If you find that you’re not progressing in your studies or that you’re not where you want to be, it’s worth doing your research and talking to teachers about how you can improve. There are many ways to get help with your schoolwork, and you’re likely going to struggle through it without anybody knowing. If you want to talk to somebody, there are a number of ways to do this. ## Recognize and reward quality work A big part of being successful in school is making new friends and finding a group of like-minded students who can stand by you through the tough times ahead. If you’re having trouble making new friends, try to look for clubs or organizations that have a wide variety of individuals that you can mix with. And if you’re struggling with your schoolwork, there are peer recognition systems that you can use to let others know how you feel and how you’re doing. These can help you to stay motivated and focused on the work at hand. ## Conclusion While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the minutiae of modern life and forget about the importance of education, the root of all of our problems starts in the classroom. If we want to be successful in the modern world, we need to take the time to ensure that each and every student is successful. By following these 21st Century strategies in school, you’ll be well on your way to being an intelligent, well-rounded student.
