close up photography of colored pencils

Secret School Tips For Parents 

colored pencils representing school tips for parents

As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve good grades. However, sometimes you may worry about your child’s performance and be unsure how to support them best. 

Will they struggle with studying? Will they fall behind? 

No parent deserves to be stressed out constantly, and students deserve the support they need to reach their potential. To help out, I’ve created a list of secret school tips that can help your teenager get good grades and thrive academically. With these school tips and hacks, you can empower your teenager without becoming a drill instructor. 

Why Your Teen Needs School Tips and Hacks 

Let’s face it, school is complex, and it’s gotten much more complicated since you were in school. If your teen struggles, it’s probably not because they are lazy. There is a good chance that your teen is putting in the effort behind closed doors. 

Academic struggles are not always indicative of a lack of intelligence or ability. Instead, they may be due to various factors that can be addressed with the proper support and strategies. 

Working hard is not a guaranteed path to success anymore. Your teen needs to work smarter, not harder. 

Unfortunately, your teen is probably not learning the skills needed to work efficiently in school. Schools nowadays are far too focused on content and end-of-year exams. As a result, your teen may face some of the following challenges:

frustrated students need school tips

Lack of practical study skills: Many teens may not have developed effective study skills, such as time management, note-taking, or active reading techniques. These skills are crucial for academic success as they help students organize and retain information effectively.

Weak organizational skills: Teens may struggle with staying organized, keeping track of assignments, managing deadlines, or prioritizing tasks. Poor organizational skills can lead to missed assignments, lower grades, and increased stress.

Lack of motivation or engagement: Some teenagers may struggle with low motivation or lack interest in their studies. This can be due to various reasons, such as disinterest in the subject matter, lack of clear goals, or external distractions.

Until your teen develops these skills or improves their mindset, there is a good chance that they will struggle academically. Thankfully, you can use these tips to help them bridge the gap and get on the right path.  

The 4 Secret School Tips and Hacks for Getting Good Grades:

I’ve developed these success tips for school students based on my 20 years of experience as an educator. You know your teenager better than anyone else, so pick the information you think is most applicable to their situation. 

I recommend implementing 1-2 tips at a time. Otherwise, you might overwhelm your teen. 

a dart board representing setting goals for students

School Tip 1: Set Clear Goals 

Working with your teenager to set clear behavior-based goals can have numerous benefits. Establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), goals together can help your teenager develop a sense of purpose and direction. 

Behavior-based goals focus on actions and habits that directly impact academic performance, such as completing homework on time, attending class regularly, and studying consistently. This approach encourages accountability and responsibility while also fostering a growth mindset. 

Additionally, focusing on and praising your teen’s behavior rather than the outcome will give them greater control over their academics and help them build confidence.

School Tip 2: Encourage Balance and Self-care

Encouraging school/life balance and engaging in self-care routines with your teenager can significantly benefit their academic performance. Prioritizing a healthy balance between school responsibilities and personal well-being is crucial for long-term success. 

You can model this by engaging in self-care routines alongside your teenager, such as exercising, practicing mindfulness, and setting aside time for hobbies and interests. These behaviors promote a healthy mindset, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, which can boost cognitive function and academic performance. 

A well-rested and emotionally balanced teenager is better equipped to manage their school workload, focus on their studies, and retain information. Encouraging school/life balance and self-care routines also helps prevent burnout, promotes time management skills, and encourages a positive approach to managing academic stress. 

clasped hands representing school tips of a supportive environment

School Tip 3: Foster A Supportive Environment 

Fostering a supportive environment with your teenager can positively impact their academic performance. Creating a safe space where mistakes are accepted, focusing on being encouraging, and demonstrating trust in your teen are vital components of fostering a supportive environment. 

When teenagers feel comfortable making mistakes without fear of harsh criticism, they are more likely to take risks, learn from their errors, and grow academically. Encouraging, offering praise, and celebrating their successes can boost their confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, improving their grades. 

Demonstrating trust in your teen by giving them autonomy, respecting their choices, and valuing their opinions can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over their education. Trusting your teen can inspire them to take their studies seriously, be proactive, and strive for excellence.

School Tip 4: Seek Help When Needed 

You should remember that they do not have to take on the burden of providing academic support alone. While tutoring can be a helpful resource for content-specific challenges, it may not always address the underlying foundational problems affecting their teenager’s academic performance. 

Instead, you may want to consider reaching out to an academic coach. Academic coaching goes beyond content knowledge and focuses on developing study skills, time management strategies, organizational techniques, and other essential skills to help students succeed. 

Academic coaches work with students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and create personalized plans to improve their academic performance. By seeking the right educational help, you can give your teenager the support they need to thrive in their studies and achieve academic success.

Implementing these secret school tips can empower your teenager to excel academically and succeed in high school. Remember that every student is unique, so it’s important to tailor these tips to your teenager’s needs and learning style. Working together as a team can help your teenager overcome academic challenges and thrive in their educational journey.

school tips can help parents collaborate

Parent-Teen Collaboration While Implementing School Tips 

It’s not uncommon for parents to face challenges when working with their teenagers on academic matters. Teens may resist parental involvement, ignore advice, or push back against perceived interference. 

This dynamic can create conflicts and strained relationships, as parents may struggle to understand why their teen isn’t listening to them or taking their guidance seriously. Teens may resist parental involvement for several reasons, such as a desire for independence, a lack of effective communication, or differences in learning styles and preferences.

In such situations, an academic coach can be a valuable intermediary between you and the teen. An academic coach is a neutral, trained professional who can bridge the gap and facilitate effective communication between parents and teens. They can provide personalized guidance and support to help teens improve their academic skills, set goals, and develop effective study habits without the emotional baggage that may come with parental involvement. 

An academic coach can also help you understand your teen’s unique needs and perspectives while providing practical strategies for parents to support their teen’s academic success. By working with an academic coach, you can alleviate some of the burden and frustration of navigating academic challenges with your teenager on their own, leading to a happier and healthier relationship between the parent and the teen.

Taking The Next Step

You can greatly support your children’s academic success by implementing secret school tips such as setting behavior-based goals, encouraging effective study habits, fostering a supportive environment, promoting school/life balance and self-care, and seeking the right kind of academic help. 

As an academic coach, I am here to make this process easier for you and your child. I can provide personalized guidance, strategies, and support to help your child excel in their studies and achieve their academic goals. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for assistance in unlocking the secrets to academic success. Together, we can help your child thrive in their educational journey.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

unpleasant black girl sitting at table between parents

Consequences For Not Doing Homework

Consequences for not doing homework should be avoided

Teenagers don’t like homework, and can you blame them? Just like you don’t like working after hours on your job, your teen doesn’t like to work all day at school and then come home and do more. 

However, like it or not, homework is something that your child has to do. 

Unfortunately, you can’t force your teen to do homework. If you try to, a power struggle is likely to ensue. If you know anything about teenagers, it’s that they want to be independent and do things their way. 

So what’s a parent to do? 

Many parents consider the consequences for not doing homework, and reasonably so. You want your child to put their best foot forward and maximize their potential in the classroom. 

However, it is important to remember that it is your teenager’s responsibility to do their homework, not yours. 

What Causes Parents To Give Consequences For Not Doing Homework

Many parents operate in a state of fear. Fear that a lousy test will lead to a bad grade means their child will drop out of high school, won’t get a job, and will still live at home when they are 30. The connection between these events may be dubious, but many parents still fall victim to this thinking. 

As a result, parents fall into a trap. I call it the illusion of a win, which is very tempting. When your teenager isn’t doing your homework, you get on their case and won’t let them leave the house until they turn it in. Or if they have missing assignments, you ground them until they get caught up. 

Getting your child to turn in their homework might make you feel like you are teaching them a valuable lesson, but what are they learning?

Let students experience natural consequences for not doing hoemwork

Your teen is learning they are incapable and need someone else to help them with their responsibilities. They realize they can’t do their homework without your oversight and help. They are learning to be dependent on you. 

The fear of their teenager’s failure often leads parents to embark on a path that makes the worst-case scenario more likely. A teen dependent on their parents is far more likely to live at home at 30 than a strong and independent one. 

Instead of considering punishment for not doing schoolwork, a better approach is to let them experience the natural consequences. Their teachers will give them bad grades, and they might get in trouble. 

After they experience the natural consequences of missing that assignment, they can learn from the experience and, more importantly, recognize that they are responsible for their school work and that there is no power struggle.

Without a power struggle, teens are likelier to take responsibility for their work and own their responsibilities.

Instead of focusing on what they are doing (homework), spend more time showing them HOW to do it. Here are some tips to avoid getting consequences for not doing homework. 

1. Establish a Routine To Avoid Consequences for Not Doing Homework

A routine will set you free. 

One of the best skills you can teach your teenager is a routine. Carving out specific time for them each day dedicated to homework is a great way to empower your teen to take care of their responsibilities. 

Make sure that the routine works for both of you. Set specific times and places to do homework, such as after school in their bedroom or dining table.

Creating a routine will give your teen the structure they need to act independently while still getting the support they need.

Give your teen space instead of conseqeunces for not doing homework

2. Give them space When Doing Homework

It may be tempting to hover over your teen’s shoulder while doing homework and ensure they do each problem correctly. However, this does not teach them independence. In fact, they may learn to depend on you to get their homework done. 

Your job is to be there when they need help or guidance, not to take over their homework. Instead, give them space and let them learn how to navigate their assignments.

You might be surprised your child is willing to ask for your help when you give them space to try independently.

3. Teach them Organizational and Time Management Skills To Avoid Consequences

One of the best ways to help your teen get their homework done and avoid consequences for not doing homework is to teach them the skills they need to do their homework instead of focusing on the assignment itself.

Organizational and time management skills are crucial for completing schoolwork and staying on top of assignments. Teaching your teen how to manage their time will help them become more independent and responsible.

Show your teenager how to organize their backpack, use folders, and take notes. But leave it up to your teen to use these skills when completing homework. 

Additionally, you can show your child how to estimate how long it will take to complete their homework. Estimating how long it will take will help your teen learn how to manage time and prioritize tasks to get their work done promptly.

Praise is better than punishment for not doing schoolwork

4. Give behavior-based praise Instead of Consequences for Not Doing Homework

Many parents make the mistake of praising the outcome rather than the effort. Studies have shown that this is counterproductive and can make students less likely to do the work in the future. 

Instead of praising your child for their score on a test or homework, praise the effort they are putting in. If you see your child hard at work, praise them for it. Tell them you are proud of their dedication if they stay late to finish an assignment. 

Behavior-based praise will help your teen develop a healthy work ethic and make them more motivated.

5. Model the behavior you want to see 

They may not act like it, but you are your teenager’s number one role model. They closely watch you to see how you do your work and responsibilities.

If you want them to take their school work seriously, ensure you show this behavior through your actions. Show that you take the time to do all your tasks thoroughly and with dedication, which will help encourage your child to do the same. 

You can also show them how to organize your work materials or use math daily. Seeing how you apply the same skills and content they are learning in school will demonstrate to your child that education is essential and that they should take it seriously. 

An academic coach can help you prevent consequences for not doing homework

6. Work With an Academic Coach Instead of using Punishment For Not Doing Homework

Getting your teenager the correct type of academic support is a great way to avoid getting consequences for not doing homework.

An academic coach can help your teen develop the essential skills to complete their work independently. An academic coach can also provide support and guidance, so your teen does not feel overwhelmed.

Additionally, the presence of an academic coach can make it much easier for you to take a step back because a coach can keep you in the loop and let you know what steps are being taken. This type of communication can alleviate the pressure you might feel to jump in and intercede.

If you think this type of support would benefit you and your teenager, let’s talk. I’ve helped hundreds of students handle their homework independently and build the skills they need for long-term success. Your teen could be next.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

person in white shirt with brown wooden frame

Low Grades in High School: 7 Ways to Bounce back

7 Ways to bounce back from low grades in high school

High school is a huge step up for students in terms of rigor and academic expectations. No matter how well prepared a student is, they will likely experience low grades in high school sometime during their academic career.

Getting low grades in high school can be disheartening and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to define your teenager’s future. Getting a few low grades can serve as an excellent learning experience for high school students and allow them to develop organizational and study skills and the proper mindset needed to succeed in high school and the future.

To help your teenager make the most of this learning opportunity and bounce back as quickly as possible, I’ve outlined several key strategies that you can help your teenager implement. I’ve chosen methods based on my experience as an academic coach and a classroom teacher. These strategies can immediately improve your teen’s grades, but consistency is the key to long-term success.

1. Get Organized To Overcome Low Grades in High School 

The first step to bouncing back from low grades is getting organized. Help your teenager create a system for tracking upcoming assignments, due dates, test dates, and topics to be covered. Organization can help them stay on top of their work, prevent last-minute cramming, and ensure they’re always prepared for assessments.

A great place to start is their backpack. Make sure it’s free of clutter and that they have a designated space for important documents, which can also help prevent assignments from being lost or forgotten.

Their digital workspace should also be organized. Students rely increasingly on Google Drive for classroom resources; an unorganized Google Drive is an easy way to lose assignments or valuable study resources. 

a routine is a great way to overcome low grades in high school

2. Develop A Routine To Improve Low Grades

Creating a consistent routine for studying and completing homework is crucial to improving grades. Encourage your teenager to develop a schedule that works for them, including studying for a few hours each day or setting aside one weekly session to catch up on missed assignments or practice tests.

In addition to setting time to study homework time, it is also a wise idea to schedule weekly reflection. Reflecting once a week on what went well and what could go better in the future is a great way to encourage your teen to focus on the positives while still acknowledging and focusing on growth areas. Setting aside time for just reflecting on the material can also be beneficial.

3. Encourage Them To Ask Questions At School

Students should not be afraid to ask questions when they are uncertain about the material. Many times low grades can be attributed to a lack of understanding. However, many teenagers see asking questions as a sign of weakness or don’t want to look stupid in front of their friends.

If your teenager is uncomfortable asking questions in front of the class, encourage them to take advantage of their teacher’s office hours or send emails. During office hours, your teenager can talk to their teachers one-on-one and get a better understanding of the material.

It is also helpful to model this behavior for your teenager to demonstrate that it is OK to ask questions in class. You can do this by asking them questions, asking for help at the store, or talking to your teenager’s teacher.

a man reading indoor

4. Be Strategic about Studying

Encourage teenagers to be strategic about their studies rather than just “cramming” for assessments. Cramming is an effective way of studying and does not produce meaningful results.

Instead of cramming, encourage your teenager to break study for short periods, multiple days a week. Studying for shorter periods is less daunting and more effective than cramming.

Finding study groups is also a great way to study strategically. Studying with other students is a great way to outsource the accountability to their peers and allow your teen to learn from their age mates in a less threatening environment.

The final piece of the puzzle is getting your teen to focus on what they don’t know rather than what they do know. Many teenagers tend to focus their studying on the topics they are confident with. Unfortunately, this can cause them to miss other topics. Encourage your teen to focus on the areas that need work and revisit familiar material as required. While this concept may sound apparent, many teenagers that I have worked with did not learn to study this way.

5. Create a Plan for Catching up on Missing Assignments 

Missing assignments are among the biggest causes of low grades in high school. Zeros will dramatically decrease your grade, even if your teen’s performance on more recent assignments improves.

The first step in catching up on missing assignments is to talk with the teacher. Teachers can be incredibly accommodating if they know that your child is trying to get caught up, and they may extend due dates and mark some assignments as excused.

The next step is to develop a schedule for catching up on missing assignments. This schedule should outline what missing assignments your teen is working on each week and when they will spend time catching up.

Goals are a great way to overcome low grades in high school

6. Set Achievable, Behavior Based Goals

Throughout this entire process, setting goals is essential. Not only so your teen can know where they are going but also so you can celebrate them when they achieve their goals.

Many people make mistakes when they set goals and focus on outcomes. Outcomes like a certain GPA or a grade on a specific test are hard to control. It is far better to set behavior-based goals. Some examples of reasonable behavior-based goals include studying for 30 minutes each day, going to office hours once per week, and turning in homework assignments the day they are assigned.

These goals should be achievable, measurable, and timely so your teenager can track their progress. The goals should focus on an action or behavior rather than an outcome.

Finally, letting your teen set these goals is best, rather than assigning them. Allowing your teen to select their goals will empower them and increase their ownership over their academics. Don’t forget to celebrate your teen’s accomplishments when they reach their stated goals.

7. Get Academic Support To Overcome Low Grades in High School

If your teenager is still struggling, it may be beneficial to look into academic support. Consider talking to their school counselor about outside tutors or mentors that could help your teenager better understand their material and improve their grades.

One of the best types of academic support is an academic coach. Coaches are different than tutors because they provide more comprehensive support, helping students prioritize tasks and establish study habits that will help them stay on top of their work.

A coach can help your teen develop the system and the habits they need to become successful. The holistic approach of an academic coach is a great way to help your teen build a solid foundation to sustain their academic growth well into the future.

Let’s chat if this type of academic support sounds like a good fit for your teen. I’m an experienced academic coach that has helped hundreds of students achieve straight As and no missing assignments in less than 90 days without strict parental oversight and hours of after-school turning with my Self-motivated Academic system.

Your teen can put low grades in high school in their rearview mirror and become my next success story.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
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Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

woman in red t shirt looking at her laptop

Smart Kid Bad Grades: 8 Solutions

smart kid bad grades

Smart kid bad grades. No parent wants to hear this label used to describe their child.  

You know what your child can achieve, yet they keep coming up short.

You may be frustrated that while you are worried about college admissions, scholarships, and financial independence, your child is more interested in video games, talking with friends, and having fun. 

You may not realize that your child is likely more frustrated than you are with their poor academic performance and that your encouragement, although well-intentioned, is hindering your child from reaching their academic potential and straining your relationship. 

The constant reminders, micromanagement, and arguments disincentivize your teen from working hard academically and make those visions of scholarships and university acceptance less likely.

Thankfully, it is not too late to get your kid back on track, and the good news is that it will be less stressful and require less work and oversight from you. 

I’m going to share some secrets you can use to motivate your child and make their bad grades a thing of the past. 

Smart Kid Bad Grades – Why Does This Happen?

There are many reasons for bad grades. The situations I’ve described below typically impact intelligent kids. 

Smart Kids Feel the Pressure of Effortless Perfection 

Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to succeed. They see it in the media, their peers, and their parents. Everywhere they look, they see the polished exteriors that people have learned to present to the world. 

What they do not see are the trials and tribulations, the mistakes, and the long hours of hard work that it takes to be successful. 

Your teen may have a skewed perception of what it takes to be successful. They may not understand that it takes mistakes to become successful. 

The desire to perfect and become successful without making mistakes can be paralyzing and may stop your kid from working hard and trying to reach their potential. 

Even worse, it may lead to stress and anxiety, negatively impacting their mental health. 

You can help your child overcome the pressure of effortless perfection by being open and vulnerable with them. Talk with them openly and honestly about a bad day or a problem you are struggling with at work. 

the internet can distract your student and make them a smart kid bad grades

Distractions Are One of the Reasons for Bad Grades 

It is hard to stay focused. Everywhere you look, there are distractions.

Are you checking messages on your phone? Watch out for Instagram and all the photos posted by your friends, family, your favorite sports team, and your favorite actress. 

Are you writing a paper on your laptop? Stay focused despite the millions of games that are at your fingertips.

We have never had access to so much right at our fingertips in the history of man. You likely grew up without technology in your hands and learned how to moderate your use of these distractions. 

Young adults have had phones in their hands from the beginning. The allure of instant gratification can be overwhelming, often derailing even the most gifted students.

To help your child overcome these ever-present distractions, help them create a study space that is free of distractions. Allow them to make the study space a welcoming environment they feel comfortable. 

Lack of Interest is Also A Reason for Bad Grades

What do you do for work? 

If you took advantage of the academic opportunities you want your child to take advantage of, you probably got into a good university, studied a topic you are passionate about, and are now working in that field. 

It is easy to go to work every day when you are passionate and interested in your work. 

Imagine how much more difficult going to work would be if you had no interest in it. 

That may be your child’s daily experience when they go to school.

Children are expected to learn topics in school that they may have little to no interest in. They may not even see the relevance of what they are learning. 

A lack of interest in education is one of the most complicated challenges to overcome because you do not influence the curriculum taught in school. You can encourage them to focus on what they do find interesting. You can also validate their feelings. 

If your child expressed a lack of interest, acknowledge and validate those feelings before reminding them that it is their responsibility to stay engaged and focused. Sometimes this acknowledgment is all a child needs to regain focus.  

Smart Kids are Stretched Too Thin 

There is a lot of pressure for teens to be involved in every extra-curricular activity possible. Oh, and they should have a part-time job in addition to completing chores at home. And how could I forget that they must also get their homework done? 

Many teens are overwhelmed by the number of commitments they have throughout their day. Add in the fact that they are still learning time management, and you have a recipe for disaster. 

Instead of learning to manage their busy schedules, it can be much more appealing to escape reality by playing video games, watching movies, or simply ignoring their assignments or responsibilities. 

Ask your child if they are overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities they have. If they are overwhelmed, let them prioritize what activities they will continue participating in. 

a lack of skills can lead to smart kid bad grades

Poor Academic Fundamentals Negatively Impact Grades 

Work hard, study for the test, and take good notes. These are all common expectations for teenagers in school. 

Unfortunately, many teens do not learn these academic fundamentals. Schools expect them to know these skills but spend little time teaching them. 

As your child gets older and the workload becomes increasingly complex, they may fall behind simply because they don’t have the tools to engage with the content. 

Thankfully, poor academic fundamentals can be easily corrected. Working with a study coach is a great way to improve your teen’s academic fundamentals and give them the tools they need to succeed in a rigorous classroom. 

8 Solutions for Smart Kid Bad Grades 

These solutions are a great place to start if you are ready to help your child get back on track. 

Ask questions to help avoid smart kid bad grades

1. Ask your Smart Kid Questions 

One of the most effective ways to motivate your child and motivate them is to ask them questions. You might be thinking, but I already ask my teen questions, and they do not respond well. 

It is not about what you say. It is about how you say it. 

Teens know when their parents are fishing for a specific answer. They can also tell when a question is a segue into a lecture. 

Your child wants to be heard and have their perspectives validated. You can accomplish this by asking them open-ended questions with no agenda other than curiosity. 

Some questions you might ask are:

  • What did you do well today at school?
  • What are you proud of accomplishing in the last month? 
  • What is your most challenging class, and why is it hard? 

When your child responds, it might be tempting to give them advice immediately. Instead, listen and validate any feelings or emotions they might have expressed. 

If you have some advice you want to share, ask them if they are open to it. Ask them, “Would you like some advice?” 

Allow your child to give their consent to hear your advice. If the answer is “no,” walk away without tension or negative emotions. 

Asking your children questions can empower them and give them the agency they desire while improving your relationship with them and their academics.

2. Give your child more Ownership over their Grades 

As I’ve mentioned throughout this article, teenagers seek increased freedom and independence. It may seem counterintuitive, but their academic performance may improve if you give them more ownership and autonomy.

Slacking off in school and getting poor grades may be their way of controlling their environment. The more you restrict and control them, the more they will find a way to gain control in other ways. 

So let them be independent. Ask them what they think the expectations should be. Ask them what they think they need to do to succeed in school. Then walk away and let them do it on their own. 

You want your teen to be a motivated and hardworking adult, so start treating them like adults. 

3. Be Authentic and Vulnerable 

You have worked hard your entire life to be the person you are today. It took hard work, mistakes, and overcoming obstacles to become successful. Your teen sees this polished product but cannot see all the mistakes you made along the way. 

Instead of learning the value of making mistakes and learning from them, your teen may feel the pressure to be perfect. 

You can remedy this by being open and honest about your challenges and struggles. Tell them about the mistakes you make and the struggles you face at work or in your career. 

Sharing the challenges you face normalizes making mistakes and demonstrates that it is okay for them to make mistakes. Changing your teen’s attitude towards mistakes can decrease their stress at school, empower them to work harder, and help them feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. 

positivity can help avoid smart kid bad grades

4. Give Your Kid Positive Reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools to motivate your child and help them improve their grades. Far too often, we focus on the negative and what is wrong. This focus teaches your child what not to do but does not teach them what they should do. 

Several studies show that the ratio of positive praise to negative praise should be 5:1. Not only do many children not recessive this much praise, but parents often overestimate the amount of recognition they give and underestimate the frequency of their criticism. 

By giving more praise and positive reinforcement, your child will know what behavior they should continue to practice. Additionally, they will be more receptive to your negative reinforcement or feedback. 

5. Praise the Effort, Not the Outcome, to Improve Grades 

If you apply one piece of advice from this article, it should be this one. You can empower your child to live up to their potential by focusing on the journey, not the destination. 

It can be easy to focus on the desired outcome: good grades, getting into a good university, scholarships, etc. However, those outcomes are hard to control. That lack of control creates stress and anxiety and can cause children to check out thoroughly. 

Instead of focusing on the outcome, think about what behaviors will likely lead to the desired result. These behaviors might include:

  • Working hard 
  • Studying 
  • Staying focused 
  • Turning in assignments on time 
  • Asking questions in class 
  • Seeking out a mentor 

If your child practices all of those behaviors, the desired outcome becomes more likely. Your child also has control over whether they do those behaviors or not. 

Giving your child praise for the effort rather than the outcome will empower them and help them feel they have more control over their environment. It will also make achieving their potential a more manageable task. Getting straight As might seem overwhelming if you currently have Bs and Cs, but working hard for one hour per day is far more manageable and attainable from their perspective. 

6. Work with a Coach 

Bill Gates said, “Everyone needs a coach…We all need people who give us feedback. That’s how we improve.”

If your child is not receptive to your suggestions and their lack of performance creates tension in your household, then an outside perspective might be exactly what you need. 

An academic coach can give your child the support they need as they strive towards their educational goals while providing structure and accountability. It is a win-win. Your child improves their grades, and their relationship with you improves. 

I’ve worked with hundreds of students to help them find intrinsic motivation and reach their academic goals. 

Let’s talk if you think this is the right kind of support for your child. I’m passionate about my work, and I would love to help your teen undergo a positive transformation. 

You can also find teachers, family friends, and teachers to coach your child. What matters is that your child finds the right mentor for them. 

set goals with your teen to end smart kid bad grades

7. Set Reasonable Goals with your Kid

I get it. As a parent, you must keep your eyes on the bigger picture. You are concerned about your child’s options for university, scholarships, and a job. Unfortunately, your teen might not care about these bigger-picture goals and might feel overwhelmed by them. 

To make success more accessible to your child, set intermediate goals. Avoid discussing college, scholarships, and a career, and focus on working hard this semester. 

These goals should propel your child toward the larger one, but they are more relevant and accessible to them. 

Additionally, ask your child what their goals are first. Empower them to select their own goals before giving your perspective. 

8. Set up a Reward System 

Your child is not likely to be motivated by getting good grades. Let’s be honest. How inspired for work would you be if you didn’t get paid? 

I am not encouraging a “pay for grades” system but finding a reward that motivates your child can be an easy way to motivate them to take their schoolwork more seriously. 

A reward system is a more formal version of positive reinforcement. The rewards should be directly tied to the goals that you have created with your child. The expectations and requirements for earning the rewards should be clear and understood by you and your child. 

Let your child choose their reward. The reward is not suitable if your child doesn’t want it. 

If you implement a system like this, the measurement and enforcement must be consistent. Your child must meet all the agreed-upon requirements to eat the reward. Getting a reward without meeting expectations sends the wrong message. 

negative reinforcement can make smart kid bad grades worse

What about Negative Reinforcement for Bad Grades?

After reading all these positive reinforcement solutions, you might wonder about punishments for bad grades. 

I think it’s a bad idea. Negative reinforcement can be one of the reasons for bad grades. 

You want your child to embrace certain behaviors, and punishments teach them what to avoid. I believe that this is counterproductive to the end goal of meeting their academic potential.  

Furthermore, many teens have a reason why they are struggling. Punishment does not solve their challenge if your child struggles with anxiety or lacks motivation. It will likely push them further down that hole.  

The Next Step to Avoid Smart Kid Bad Grades

Your child’s journey to achieving good grades and reaching their academic potential won’t happen overnight. It will require patience, hard work, kindness, and empathy.

If you replace arguing, micromanaging, and nagging with the tips in this article, you will be on the right path. Over time, your child will learn the behaviors and find the intrinsic motivation they need to succeed in school and life. 

Don’t hesitate to work with a coach if you think you and your child would benefit from some additional coach. 

I’ve created a program to help students turn their grades around in one quarter. Let’s talk if you think your child would benefit from this program. 

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

back view photo of standing woman with her hands raised

Get High Grades with these 6 Tips 

Get high grades with these six tips

If you struggle to get high grades in school, you have probably received some “advice” from parents, teachers, and maybe even friends.

“Work harder!”

“Don’t be lazy.”

“Just pay attention in class.”

“Spend more time studying!”

These “solutions” are frustrating because it makes getting high grades seem “easy.” If only that were the case.

I understand your frustrations, and I know that getting better grades in high school is not as easy as many people make it out to be. 

I’ve created a list of six tips that will help you get back on track and empower you to learn how to get better grades in high school. 

Learning How to Get High Grades 

Getting high grades will not happen overnight. It will require commitment and hard work. It may seem frustrating at first, but I promise that you can achieve the results you are looking for with consistent action.

Improving your grades may also require you to try some new things and learn new skills. I promise that if you approach these tips with an open mind, you can achieve your goals. 

Instead of focusing on tips like working harder or staying organized, I take a different approach to improving grades. Instead of focusing on what to do, I focus on the why. I believe that knowing your “why” will help you sustain your hard work and will be more effective in getting the results that you want.

Identifying what motivates you and setting goals are more effective than trying to work harder.

It is time to work smarter, not harder.

If you would like some more specific advice about how to get high grades, check out my article on strategies that can help you get straight As.

Improve your Grades with These Tips

These tips are listed in order of importance. Don’t try to implement them all of them at once, start with number 1 and work your way down the list. 

Why do you want to get high grades?

1. Know Why you Want to get High Marks

Getting good grades is a challenge in the best of situations. I have seen many students struggle to do their schoolwork because they don’t know why they are putting in the effort. Their parents, teachers, and peers tell them “Get good grades” without any sort of justification. 

Before learning how to get high grades, I recommend that you answer the question: “why am I doing this?”

You might want to stay eligible to play sports or get into a specific college. Or maybe you want your parents to leave you alone so you can spend more time with your friends. Your answer should be a reflection of your true feelings, not the “right” answer.

Your “why” is the secret to staying motivated. Putting effort into schoolwork is difficult. When you don’t feel motivated, you can fall back on your “why” to motivate you to get the assignment done.

2. Set goals for yourself 

I get it, your goal is to get better grades. However, it is also a big one and hard to measure. I recommend setting smaller goals and more measurable goals that will help you progress towards your larger one. 

For example, set a goal of working on homework for one hour per day, turning in all of your missing assignments, or asking a question in class.

All of these goals are measurable and will help you progress towards your goal of better grades.

Setting smaller goals will also make the task of improving academically feel overwhelming. Plus, you will also feel good when you achieve them so it’s a win-win.

Give yourself a reward when you get high grades?

3. What is your reward going to be When You get High Grades? 

Everyone likes a prize. Unfortunately, many students are not given rewards for working hard in school. A job rewards you with money for working hard, but school just gives you grades. The last time I checked, you can’t buy anything or turn your grades in for a reward.  

Establishing a reward system for yourself is a great way to sustain your efforts to improve your grades.

After you set a goal, think about what the reward is going to be. For something small like completing a homework assignment, the reward might be a 30-minute break. If you reach a bigger goal like getting an A on a test, a good reward might be getting food at your favorite restaurant, seeing a movie, or hanging out with friends. 

When you give yourself the reward, remind yourself why you earned it. This will build a positive connection between your hard work at school and the outcome. Connecting achievement with rewards is a great way to train your brain to work hard. 

4. What are your current strengths?

Give yourself some credit! Your grades might not be what you want them to be, but that doesn’t mean that you are doing everything wrong.

Take some time to think about your strengths as a student. 

Thinking about your strengths will help you have some positive thoughts and vibes around working on your academics. Plus, thinking about your strengths can help you build your confidence.

As you work to improve as a student, keep putting effort into your areas of strength. These areas can help you improve your grades and cannot be ignored. 

You must grow to get high grades.

5. What Areas do you need to grow to Get High Marks? 

On the flip side, it is also important to think about your areas of growth. Improving your academic weaknesses is one of the most important steps on your journey to getting good grades.

It may be difficult or uncomfortable to think about your weaknesses. If you are struggling with this tip, talk with a trusted teacher, adult, or peer. Sometimes a second perspective is exactly what you need.

After you have come up some areas of growth, pick two or three that you want to improve. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself.

Next, brainstorm how you can improve those weaknesses.

For example, if you struggle to pay attention in class, a solution might be to sit at the front of the class. Or, if you have a hard time remembering your homework, commit to writing down your assignments in your agenda.

Focus on implementing these changes and regularly check in with your progress. It may be helpful to let trusted adults and your teachers know how you are trying to improve. They can help support you.

Finding solutions to your areas of growth is essential for improving your grades. 

6. Ask for help

Improving your grades is a challenging task that is made all the more difficult by doing it alone.

If you are serious about improving your grades, ask someone you trust to help you.  

You might be surprised how much your teachers are willing to do to help you on your journey to better grades and academic success. As a former teacher, whenever a student showed some initiative, I would bend over backwards to help them.

In addition to help you in class, teachers, adults, and peers can give you helpful insights on your strengths and weaknesses as well as give you encouragement when things get tough.

Don’t make your journey harder by trying to do it alone.

You can Learn How to Get Better Grades in High School

I want to congratulate you on making an effort to improve your grades. This is a challenging task, and I am glad you are seeking out guidance and assistance on your journey. 

If you find these tips helpful but struggle to boost your grades, let’s talk. I am an academic coach that has helped hundreds of students improve their grades and increase their confidence in the classroom. I can help make your academic goals a reality.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students’ academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

graduate with papers and laptop excited about getting job

How To Get Straight A’s: Eight Strategies to Make It Look Easy

We all know that student, it seems like school is effortless for them. The type of student that knows how to get straight A’s …

They turn in all their assignments

Know the answers to all the teacher’s questions

Finish the test early

And get the highest grade in the class

It may seem impossible to be like that, but here’s the secret – they are not any different than any other student in the class. Straight A students use a simple set of strategies that sets them up for success. Unfortunately, these strategies are not taught in school. The good news is that you can implement these strategies and learn how to get straight A’s. 

I know these strategies because I was a straight A student in high school – I was actually my school’s valedictorian. I know just how important using these strategies is because, in my infinite wisdom, I stopped using them my first two years in college and was at the bottom of my class. I literally went from first to worst.

During my junior and senior years, I got back to what made me successful in high school and was on the Dean’s list (3.75 GPA or higher). This experience made me intimately aware of the impact that these strategies can have on your academic performance.  

I’m sharing these guidelines so you can apply them to your own studies and learn how to get straight A’s. 

How to Get Straight A’s: 8 Strategies 

The purpose of these strategies is to work smarter, not harder. School is not everything. You should have free time to enjoy hobbies, spend time with friends, or relax. These strategies will teach you how to get straight A’s without dedicating all of your time to schoolwork. 

Get Straight A's by eating a healthy breakfast
A good breakfast will give you energy for the school day.

1. Straight a’s Start With Your Stomach

Health is something that is frequently overlooked when it comes to good grades. If you are like me, it is next to impossible to focus on what the teacher is saying if your stomach is growling. One of the most important tips for surviving high school is eating right and getting enough sleep.

Eating a healthy breakfast will energize you for the school day and help you make the most out of your class time.

In addition to eating well and getting good sleep, exercise is an important foundation to straight A’s. Regular exercise will help you sleep better and give you more energy throughout the day. Taking care of your body will help you bring your A-game to the classroom. 

2. Get Straight A’s by Showing up to Every Class

This may go without saying, but in order to get Straight As, you have to show up to every class. Skipping class is a sure-fire way to put yourself behind and make learning more difficult.  Additionally, you need to participate and be an active member of the class. 

For this reason. straight A students are active listeners. While the teacher is presenting, they are thinking about what the teacher is saying and asking themselves questions like “Do I understand this topic?” or “How does this connect to what we learned yesterday?”. 

The best students learn how to get straight A’s by asking questions. Question asking is one of the most important strategies students can use to improve their grades. Asking questions minimizes the amount of time straight A students are confused. This allows them to stay on top of the content and keep learning. 

Some people recommend you sit in the front of the class and be a teacher’s pet. I don’t think that is necessary at all. Sit where you want, but make sure you stay engaged. Of the strategies on this list, this is probably the most important.  

How to Get Straight A's: Take Good Notes
Good notes make for good grades

3. Straight A Students take Good Notes

In addition to showing up to every class and participating, it is important to take good notes. There are a variety of note-taking systems and the best one depends on your personal preference. 

Taking notes helps straight A students stay engaged in class. Notes are also a resource that they use to help them complete homework and study for tests. Plus, you would be surprised by the amount of information that the teacher said in class that shows up directly on the test. Taking good notes is an easy way to boost your grades and make your studying more efficient. 

Finally, straight A students will review their notes at least twice a week in order to keep the content they are learning in class fresh in their minds. 

How to get Straight A's? Get organized
Get straight A’s by getting organized

4. Want to get Straight A’s? get Organized

Good notes are useless if you can’t find them! Straight A students have an organization strategy that they use to write down assignments, tests and due dates. Additionally, they have a way to file all of their notes, worksheets, reading assignments, etc. in an easy-to-find manner. 

Furthermore, any papers handed to you in class should be organized in a file folder or binder dedicated to that class. If your teacher shares documents with you via Google docs, your G-Drive should be organized by class. 

A good organizational system is one of the biggest ways that Straight-A students separate themselves from average students. 

5. Stay On Top of Current Assignments – No Missing Work

Straight A students don’t have missing assignments. There is no shortcut around this. Missing assignments are one of the easiest ways to tank your grades. Not only do missing assignments bring your grade down but you are missing out on an opportunity to practice what you are learning in class. 

Specifically, this additional practice gives you an opportunity to test what you know and reinforce the knowledge. This will make studying for the unit test easier because you have been practicing the whole time. 

Finally, homework takes the same amount of time if you complete it on the due date or last minute before the quarter ends. Turning in assignments last minute may improve your grades, but it has not helped you learn the material and so it doesn’t positively impact your grade the way it could. 

6. Prepare for tests to get Straight A’s

One of the final pieces of the Straight A student puzzle is test prep. For most classes, test scores make up the majority of your final grade. Doing well on tests is a must for straight-A students. 

However, many students think test prep is just about studying right before the test. Straight A students know that test prep begins the moment they walk into the classroom.

Therefore, being an active listener in class, taking good notes, and completing the homework are all a part of test preparation. By using all of the earlier strategies, Straight A students start preparing themselves for the test weeks before the test date is even announced. 

As the test approaches, Straight A students also know how to study smarter, not harder. They start studying at least a week before the test and break up their studying into manageable time blocks.

Straight A students also ask teachers what is going to be on the test. This might happen at the end of class or before/after school, but you would be amazed at what a teacher will give away when asked this question. Trust me, I was a former classroom teacher. Asking this question gives straight A students a huge advantage when it comes to preparing for and taking the test. 

7. Straight A Students Have a good study area 

Finally, straight A students have a good study area. A good study area allows a student to study effectively and efficiently. This area should be free of distractions, well lit, and quiet. 

8. Ask for Help To Get The As

Getting straight A’s is no easy task. Even if you follow all of these tips, there may be moments where you don’t know what to do or need additional support.

Ask for help!

You can ask a teacher, your parents, an educational coach, or another trusted adult. You might be surprised by what a big difference asking for help can make.

Be Patient With Yourself

All these strategies may seem overwhelming, and I encourage you to be patient with yourself. It takes three weeks to build a habit so implementing these strategies won’t happen overnight. I recommend starting with taking care of your body and working your way down the list. 

Implement one strategy at a time to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed. 

If you want assistance building straight A student habits, let’s talk. I have worked with hundreds of students and helped them improve their grades by building good habits and working smarter, not harder. 

Every student has their own specific needs and challenges, let’s make a plan so you can make straight A’s a reality – book your free discovery call here

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students’ academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


Secret School Tips For Parents 
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
Online Success Coach: Unlocking Your Teen’s Potential
As a parent, you want your teen to succeed academically and in …
School Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure
Schools don't care about students and are setting your child up for …
10 Bad Study Habits You Need to Break Immediately
In my experience as a classroom teacher and an academic coach, one …

Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here