HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EDUCATION

1. Ask questions when you don't understand something. If your teacher introduces something you don't understand, ask about it. If someone else offers a point of view that makes no sense, ask for clarification.

2. Participate in class discussions. Silence may be golden in some settings, but not in the classroom. By speaking up during class discussions, two good things happen: you get correction and a chance to know something you didn't realize already. You might be passionate about the subject, but silent passion doesn't help much.

3. Be a little bit selfish. If you believe that your success at school is important to your future, make sure you're getting as much support and training, so you are prepared for the future. School, if you do right, can give you a powerful advantage in the world of work. But how well trained and prepared you end up also depends on you taking advantage of development opportunities. So ask your questions, negotiate, lead, change what is, explore in class and in the community of the school, and promote your values. Speak your mind and ask for what you need.

4. Keep track of current events and try to pull them into your lessons. Try to make connections between what you're learning and what's going on in the world and mention these in class.  

5. Have your own system for keeping track of upcoming events and assignments. Students tend to be under a fair amount of stress, but being organized is a good way to avoid further stress. If you have an up-to-date planner and are on top of your schedule, you'll find your life becoming less stressful and more productive.

6. Go with your strengths. It's important that you know how you learn and that you find ways to use your strengths to your advantage. The more you are considerate and attentive to the techniques that work better for you, the more you can apply these techniques and benefit. In short, do what works best for you. If your teacher has assigned a written task and you would learn better by creating audio, you can often do that. The point is obviously that you learn and that you are growing as a leader, a manager, and a thinker.