Whether you’ve chosen to attend a traditional high school, plan to enroll in a high school diploma program or decide to be homeschooled, your primary goal is to learn. If you find yourself struggling, it’s best to turn things around ASAP to avoid falling too far behind in your studies. Want to know how to do it? It’s simple: get organized, set goals, and put school first.

Step 1: Get Organized!

Your textbook does you no good if you don’t know where it is, and you can’t expect to ace a test you forgot to study for. Keep your things in order and manage your time. Consider keeping a personal organizer to track major assignments and exams, and create a dedicated study area in your home. You’d be amazed what a difference these techniques make.

Step 2: Set Realistic Goals and Stick With Them!

If you expect yourself to ace every class, you’re probably expecting too much of yourself. Chances are you’ll be discouraged when you can’t achieve the unrealistic goals you’ve set for yourself, and become tempted to simply throw in the towel. On the same note, don’t settle for merely passing your classes when you know you can do more. Take some time to consider your potential and create a plan you can stick with. Set goals, both big and small. Whether it’s to finish your reading assignments before each class session or to keep your grade point average above a 3.0, write everything down and review your list often.

Step 3: Keep Your Priorities Straight!

School is about more than your classes. You have extracurricular activities, friends, family and a job on the side. Maybe you’re an older student with a full-time position and a family of your own. Either way, it’s important to find a balance, and school should be near the top. With a quality education, you can get a better job, support your family better or go on to college. It isn’t realistic to always put school above everything, and it’s crucial to take a bit of ‘me’ time now and again, but know when it’s time to hit the books and respect it.